Cinema: Aimless in Langkawi

2009/11/27

Hizreen Kamal

JALANG directed by Nazir Jamaluddin. Starring Yasmin Khanif, Hairie Othman, Yank Kasim, Helmi Husaini, Ridzuan Hashim, Maria Farida and Faizal Hussein. THE title itself (jalang generally means harlot) should stir one’s curiosity to watch the movie. If you expect the film to be filled with steamy scenes, you’d be disappointed. Having passed the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia without a single cut, it is a tale of values, which probably explains why the use of the word jalang was given the green light.

That word didn’t go down well with the authorities once upon a time. Local film director U-Wei Saari had to name his 1993 movie Perempuan, Isteri dan ..., it was originally titled Jalang.

The fact that this movie’s producers have managed to bring this title to the silver screen is in itself an achievement. So before we go into the film review, let’s also congratulate producers De’Baron Sdn Bhd for completing the movie during these hard times where films usually get done half way or the projects are canned altogether.

Now, the story...

Jalang tells of Maria Hanafi (newcomer Yasmin Khanif) who clinches deals at an international trading and shipping company in Langkawi. This is because she has no qualms in bedding various men in the name of business.

Yasmin going through a mandi bunga ritual in a scene from the movie.

Among the men in her life are her big client Datuk Nahu (Kuswadinata), best friend Ben Adam (Hairie Othman), potential husband Ikram (Helmi Hussaini), boss Tan Sri Jamaudi (Ridzuan Hashim) and her superior Zulfikri (Roslan Salleh).

Jalang is a straightforward tale of a woman arriving at life’s crossroads. Then there are bad guys in the form of a psychotic private investigator Ali Topan (Yank Kassim) and his rich and jealous employee Datin (Maria Farida).

The script must have been appealing as the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) approved the RM500,000 loan to its producers.

Unfortunately, the story’s execution left much to be desired.

The essence of the story is lost in the bad acting, especially from the lead star Yasmin. Sure, this marks her movie debut, but that should not be an excuse. Her acting, or the lack of it, made the audience cringe for the entire movie.

When Maria is at a crossroads and repentance is on the cards, viewers will find it hard to sympathise as Yasmin just looks awkward, even ridiculous and annoying, and not just in that scene. How hard could it have been to hire an acting coach?

The rest of the cast were not convincing enough in their roles, with some scenes making them look more like comedians. There’s a glimmer of hope when Faizal Hussein enters the fray as a drug pusher but he was only in two scenes. He had much to offer in the acting department.

Casting is a bit off too. Yasmin has no chemistry whatsoever with love interests played by Hairie Othman and Helmi Husaini.

Many scenes were draggy and will lose the audience in the process. The elements of love, mystery, drama and suspense which the film hoped to present in resolving the moral conflicts are all lost in this half-baked effort.

Filming was done entirely on the beautiful island of Langkawi, which sadly was not fully exploited by the filmmakers. We are shown numerous scenes with a huge eagle statue in the background. The film fails to capture the splendour of the island. The film quality is another sore point, making it look like it was made in the 1980s.

Made with RM1.3 million, the money could have been channelled to producing films that really deserve the funds, by serious filmmakers who are in the business for the right reasons.