Puteri Gunung Ledang and P Ramlee
The Musical return to entertain during Merdeka celebrations, writes Nur Aqidah Azizi
TEN years have passed since the movie Puteri Gunung Ledang was first released in 2004.
The story of the forbidden romance between Javanese princess Gusti Putri and legendary Malay warrior, Hang Tuah from Malacca, lives on in the big screen.
In conjunction with this year’s 57th Merdeka celebration, the love story will return to cinemas beginning today.
Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, who breathed soul into the character of Gusti Putri, both on the silver screen and on the stage (PGL was later staged as a musical at Istana Budaya for three seasons, including in Esplanade, Singapore), says she can’t wait to meet her old “best friend”.
“Ten years? Wow, it still feels like yesterday,” says Tiara. “The movie still feels new to me. I can’t believe that it has been a decade,” says the actress who is also the producer of the movie, which was made at a staggering cost of RM20 million.
Directed by Saw Teong Hin, PGL will be screened at GSC Mid Valley and Signature Gardens in Kuala Lumpur.
Tiara says, PGL was produced with blood, sweat and tears. It is an experience that had taught her new perspectives in filmmaking.
“It was a tough movie to make, not only for me but also for the rest of the team. But looking at the result, I must say, it was worth the pain,” she says.
Written by Mamat Khalid with Jason Kwan as the director of cinematography, Tiara says she is still the biggest fan of the movie.
“The movie still looks beautiful. The cinematography is still breathtaking just like it did the first time I saw it. Not to mention the heartfelt dialogue, as if it is like the first time I read it.”
And PGL too stands the test of time, with international distributors still showing interest in the movie.
“We still receive many requests from international distributors. This goes to show that our story on heritage has the strength to draw interest from abroad,” says Tiara.
But what really motivates the actress to re-release the movie is the fact that PGL has continuously sparked interest among the young.
“It really moves me to receive so many positive messages and interests from the ‘Gen Y’ generation. For me, it’s important for everyone to revisit our heritage as a reminder of who we are.
The movie has scored a string of achievements, including being listed as one of the 50 Best Foreign Films at the 77th Academy Awards in 2005.
“PGL has set the bar for me and if I were to make movies again, it will have to be better than PGL. And to be able to do that, I think I still need some time,” says Tiara.
NEW PGL
The PGL that will meet cinema-goers from tonight is a digitally re-mastered producer’s cut. “Ten years ago, we implemented the digital intermediate (DI) technology on PGL, a technology that can enhance the look of the film. PGL was the first movie in Southeast Asia to use such technology.
“The technology doesn’t only maintain the quality of the cinematography of the movie but it also allows us to add new elements to the film.
“Although it was costly to implement the DI technology back then, I am happy that it benefits the movie today,” adds Tiara.
Will PGL The Musical be brought back on stage?
“Let’s wait and see,” she says.
P RAMLEE THE MUSICAL
PGL aside, Tiara and her team is geared up for the return of Enfiniti Vision Media’s P Ramlee The Musical — The Life, The Loves and The Inspiration, to be staged at Istana Budaya.
The musical played for three sold-out seasons in Kuala Lumpur in 2007 and 2008 and in Singapore (2008), in Kuching, Sarawak, last year, in conjunction with Sarawak’s 50th Independence Day celebration.
In this run, the musical has a new cast, fresh new direction and a slick new choreography.
Tiara says: “No words can describe my feelings of being able to bring back and give life to the legacy of the country’s most endearing showman, it is truly an honour.”
Tiara will play Norizan, P Ramlee’s second wife, in the musical. Previously, the role was played by Melissa Saila. Joining her are Tony Eusoff as P Ramlee, Lisa Surihani as Junaidah (P Ramlee’s first wife), Nadia Aqilah as Saloma, Douglas Lim as Run Run Shaw and J.J from Red FM as B.S Rajhans.
“I have always been intrigued by this lady (Norizan) whom I had the opportunity to act with in a telemovie, Banjir. I knew that I wanted to share her story one day,” says Tiara.
Acting with Tony too is something that the talented actress looks forward to. “He is such a professional. He’s an actor first, singer second. And I can feel the strong chemistry when we are on stage and I can’t wait to share it with fans soon,” says Tiara.
NEW LINE UP
Directing one of Enfiniti’s biggest productions in terms of set, cast and technical production, Pat Ibrahim knows that it is no walk in the park.
P Ramlee The Musical, which won six awards at the 6th Annual BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 2007, surely puts him under pressure. But Pat is taking it in his stride.
“I co-directed the musical with Melissa Saila for our Kuching performance last year. There will be new elements added this time but it will not jeopardise the original feel of the play, something that we constantly want to maintain,” he says.
Meanwhile, for Tony, while the opportunity to play P Ramlee in the musical is an honour, it comes with a huge responsibility — to satisfy the audience.
“I think the biggest responsibility is to look, sound and be as close to P Ramlee as I possibly can. Most of us are familiar with him, that they hope to meet him again on stage,” he says.
“I hope to be able to do justice to the man and his legacy.”
Actress Nadia Aqilah, who played Junaidah in the Kuching performance, is happy to reprise the iconic figure.
“I am over the moon. I think every actress in the country wants to play her. And I am so lucky to have this opportunity,” she says.
As first-timers in P Ramlee The Musical, both Lisa and J.J are excited and nervous at the same time.
“I have always wanted to work with Tiara but I did not expect to be part of this musical, as Junaidah. So, it is a huge opportunity for me,” says Lisa.
For J.J, he had no high hopes at the audition.
“Pat asked me to give it a try. I came, just for the fun of it. I didn’t think too much of it until I received a short messaging system (SMS) from Tiara saying , ‘Welcome on board’. I was shocked but at the same time happy, to say the least.”
P Ramlee The Musical
When: Oct 3 to 12, daily at 8.30pm, matinees at 3pm on weekends.
Where: Istana Budaya
Tickets from RM33 to RM253 at www.tickethotline.com.
Puteri Gunung Ledang
When: Today to Monday
Where: GSC Mid Valley at 3.45pm, and GSC Signature The Gardens at 7.45pm.
Tickets at www.tickethotline.com.my or call 03 - 7725 1177