ABANG (1981)

1.                  ABANG (1981)

A film produced by Fleet Communications Sdn Bhd and directed by Rahim Razali in 1981. Starring by Rahim Razali, Ahmad Yatim, Adman Tarmimi Serigar, Noorkumalasari, Fauziah Ahman Daud, S.Roomai Noor, Umi Kalsum and Noriah Abdullah (Film Malaysia, 1999).

2.                  SYNOPSIS OF ABANG (1981)

The oldest son (Fuad Din) and heir apparent to a wealthy Kuala Lumpur family returns home after his sudden departure to London a decade ago.  His family struggle with their emotions about his return. Faud tries to make life as normal as he possibly know how and keep his secret intact. At the end of the film, he was died by leukemia (Film Malaysia, 1999).

3.                  MISE-EN-SCENE AND MISE-EN-SHOT OF ABANG (1981)

The setting of this film was 80 years, which located at Kuala Lumpur. For Kuala Lumpur, there was Fuad’s family living location. It is also the place that Faud facing obstacle when he came back from London.  The props that set in this film are also around 80 years.

            Besides that, this film contained a strong Malay Traditional Culture. For example, Faud and Diaman played “Tarik Upih” at kampung. In addition, in this film, Fuad used his right hand for eating; it is also one of the Malay Culture. (Adat Resam, n.d.) Their costume almost is Malay costume, for example: “Baju Kebaya” and “Baju Melayu”.(Adat Resam, n.d.)

            Character building of this film was strong, especially Faud. Toward the Malay culture, the eldest brother was always played an important role in the family. (Adat Resam, n.d.) In this film, you can clearly identify the important of Faud. For example: When Farid get in trouble , his wife run and find Farid’s eldest brother to ask for helped. Besides that, Fuad was always trying to help their family members.

            The lighting of this film was not really enough when come into the night scenes.  The editing of this film was considered as good during that time. There are only few jump cut happened. Overall, the visual and audio are matched.

4.                  HYBRIDITY

4.1 Cultural Hybridity

That was a cultural hybridity happened in the film. Even though, Fuad is Malay, but he is practice a western culture. For example, when Fuad house held a party, they are drinking wine instead of “Syrup”. When Dila sang in the club, there were playing western instrumental instead of Malay transitional instrumental.

            When they are working, there are wearing formal instead of “Baju Melayu”. From this film, we can ever know that the western culture were influences Malaysian at that time. Even they are comfortable practice with western culture, but they are didn’t forget their own culture and own root. Faud still wear “ Baju Melayu” to mosque or serious even.

            Because there was a Cultural Hybridity, When come to the scene that Fuad and Farid argued. Fuad mentioned that Farid was forgetting his own culture, his own root. It is because in Malay Cultural, Muslim is not allowed to drink alcohol and scold eldest.  Toward this scene, you can clearly saw that they are concern toward their own culture.

4.2              Language Hybridity

In this film, we can clearly saw that even though they are Malay, but they are practice to use English. Farid like to use “I” instead of “Aku” in this short film. When they are communicating with each others, sometimes they will use some English. For Example: “little boy”.

4.3 Gender Hybridity

The Gender Hybridity was applied on Dila. She is a girl, but she breaks the transitional role of girl. For example: she like racing. There is a scene shown that Dila had her own ambition, when she was drinking with Fuad, she is telling Fuad her ambition.       

5.                  WHAT DO I LIKE ABOUT THIS FILM? WHICH PART OF IT?

I like the overall performance of this film. When come to the part of Fuad’s family realized that Fuad had leukemia. This is the part I like the most. On that scene, there is the most emotional part of the story.

            Besides that, I love the story line of this film. It is because the film had given me a motivation to ask why fuad leaved home for decade years. After knowing the truth, there is a climax of emotion build up. I almost cry at that part.

6.                  REFERENCES

Adat Resam. (n.d). Traditional Attire. Retrieved Nov 28, 2011 from

http://members.tripod.com/kidd_cruz/adat_resam.htm

           

Filem Malaysia. (1999). Filem Kita, Malaysia:Abang /1981 .

Retrieved Nov 26, 2011, from http://www.filemkita.com/filem/a/abang_01.html

Ishak S.Z.A. (2011). Cultural Hybridity: Adapting and Filtering Popular Culture in Malaysian Television Programmes. Journal Pengajian Media Malaysia. 13(1). Retrieved Novemeber 28, from http://umrefjournal.um.edu.my/filebank/articles/2953/01_JPMM%202011_No_1.pdf