à la folie - One year on...

Almost one year has past and this little gem of a film is still travelling and wow-ing audiences around the world. Alhamdullilah.

à la folie is screening @ Jakarta Int'l Film Festival on Dec 7, 4 pm, at Blitzmegaplex Grand Indonesia, within the S-Express:Singapore film programme.

à la folie first screened (World Premiere) at the 27th San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Festival in March 2009 and subsequently received Best Short Film award at the 4th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival in August 2009.

This film has travelled to these festivals
27th San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Festival (March 2009)
25th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (April 30 - May 7)
32nd New York Asian American Int'l Film Festival (Jul 23 - 26)
4th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (Aug 4 - 8)
32nd Montreal World Film Festival (Aug 27 - Sept 7)
5th Singapore Short Film Festival (Sept 13 - 21)
29th Hawaii Int'l Film Festival (Oct 15 - 25)
11th Jakarta Int'l Film Festival (Dec 4 - 12)
London Project: Slingshot (Jan 2010)

Thank you for your support and love.

KERETA SEWA [episode 8|final]

Episode 8 (final) of anthology drama series. Sanif Olek directs episode 1 & episode 8. A Shortman Films production. Premiere telecast 30 November 2009 @ 9.30pm on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore.

Featuring "Mengaku Kalah" from the album, "Punca & Tindakan", by Imran Ajmain.



Enjoy :)

VANILLA [LAST episode, 5 Nov 2009]

Don't miss the LAST episode of VANILLA with the lovely chef Siti Mastura.
Schedule: 5 Nov @ 9pm on MediaCorp's SURIA channel. Thursday.

Thank you for watching :)

VANILLA [LAST 2 episodes]

Don't miss the episode 5 of VANILLA with the lovely chef Siti Mastura.
Schedule: 29 Oct @ 9pm on MediaCorp's SURIA channel. Thursday.


Enjoy and thanks for watching! :)

Majulah Singapura...?

"Three women were brought to the Singapore General Hospital, each in the same condition and each needing a blood transfusion. The first, a Southeast Asian was given the transfusion but died a few hours later. The second, a South Asian was also given a transfusion but died a few days later. The third, an East Asian, was given a transfusion and survived. That is the X factor in development."

Chandra Muzaffar, accounting Lee Kuan Yew @ University of Singapore, 27 December 1967

"...these were not cultures which created societies capable of intense discipline, concentrated effort over sustained periods. Climate, the effects of relatively abundant society and the tropical conditions produced a people largely extrovert, easy-going and leisurely. They've got their wars, they have their periods of greatness when the Hindus came in the 7th and again in the l2th centuries in the Majapahit and the Srivijaya empires. But in between the ruins of Borobudur and what you have of Indonesia today, you see a people primarily self-indulgent."

Lee Kuan Yew @ circa 1965

"Malays abhor the state of celibacy. To remain unmarried was and is considered shameful. Everyone must be married at some time or other. The result is that whether a person is fit or unfit for marriage, he or she still marries and reproduces. An idiot or a simpleton is often married off to an old widower, ostensibly to take care of him in his old age. If this is not possible, backward relatives are paired off in marriage. These people survive, reproduce and propagate their species. The cumulative effect of this can be left to the imagination."

Mahathir Mohamad @ The Malay Dilemma, 1st published 1970

"Humiliation and degradation by foreign European powers is bad enough. It was worse at the hands of a conquering Asian nation like Japan - and it will be even worse if it should be by a neighbouring power in South-East Asia."

Lee Kuan Yew @ circa 1963

"I understand the Englishman. He knows deep in his heart that he is superior to the Welshman and the Scotsman.... Deep here, I am a Chinaman."

Lee Kuan Yew @ Parliament, 1977

VANILLA episode 4 of 6 [Oct 22]

Don't miss VANILLA episode #4/6 with the lovely chef Siti Mastura.
Schedule: 22 Oct @ 9pm on MediaCorp's SURIA channel. Thursday.





enjoy :)

VANILLA episode 3 [Oct 15]

Don't miss episode #3 of VANILLA with the lovely chef Siti Mastura.
Schedule: 15 Oct @ 9pm on MediaCorp's SURIA channel. Thursdays.





Enjoy the show!

VANILLA episode 2 [8 Oct]

Don't miss the 2nd episode of VANILLA with the lovely chef Siti Mastura.
Schedule: 8 Oct @ 9pm on MediaCorp's SURIA channel. Thursdays.





Thank you for watching.

KERETA SEWA premieres & VANILLA ep 2

Kindly note the respective telecast schedules

KERETA SEWA episode 1: 5 Oct @ 9.30pm


VANILLA episode 2: 8 Oct @ 9pm (repeat Friday @ 7.30pm)


Thank you for watching :)

Eidul Fitri Mubarak

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
Rubaiyat, verse 51.


Selamat Hari Raya Eidul Fitri, Mohon Maaf Zahir Batin
Minal Aidil Walfaizin Walmakbulin

VANILLA Premiere telecast: 1 Oct 2009

Here it is folks, the premiere telecast of VANILA, a special baking series with chef Siti Mastura.

6 x half-hour series. An Eaglevision production. Produced & directed by Sanif Olek, written by Wan Firza.

Premiere telecast 1 October 2009 @ 9pm on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore. Thursdays.


VANILLA [episode 1] from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.


VANILLA preview from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

Thank you for the support. Enjoy the show!

My first television drama "KERJA OVERTIME, ep5"

This is where it all began. EPISODE #5.

Kerja Overtime, or After Hours loosely translated, was the first ever drama I did for television. The series was an anthology in 5 episodes. I directed episode #5 only. I think this episode was totally different aesthetically to the rest of the episodes before it.

It was not perfect but I had fun directing it in 1999. Thanks to Oak3 Films. This series was awarded Best Drama Series @ MediaCorp's Pesta Perdana in 2000.

Happy watching Episode #5 in 6 parts.

Best time-lapse short so far!

I love this short!

The Longest Way 1.0 - one year walk/beard grow time lapse from Christoph Rehage on Vimeo.

New drama series, KERETA SEWA | Car for Hire

Preview for episode 1 of upcoming drama series, Kereta Sewa | Car for Hire.

8 x 1hr episodes. Episode 1 & 8 directed by Sanif Olek. A Shortman Films production.

KERETA SEWA (episode 1) from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

Scheduled for telecast in October 2009 on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore.

Why a baking show?

"Alamak, why a baking show??"
This has been one variation of the many interesting remarks from well-meaning friends when they hear about my latest TV food adventures.

VANILA (series 1) would be the 5th food series I'm doing so far,
- KALAU DAPUR TAK BERASAP (2 seasons; 13 x half-hr each; 1997-8)
- JALAN-JALAN CARI MAKAN ANTARABANGSA (13 x half-hr; 2005)
- SOO LAZAT (seasons 1-2; 15 episodes in total, half-hr each; 2006-7), "Best magazine programme" @ Pesta Perdana 2007
- CELEBRITI CHEF (13 x 1 hr; 2007)
- VANILA (series 1, 6 x half-hr, premieres 1 October 2009 @ 9pm on MediaCorp's SURIA channel)

Just when I thought I'd get away from another cooking show here comes another. However I must say that I had come to enjoy doing food shows tremendously. It's easy to trivialize the kitchen but not many people realise that a food programme when done properly is also giving the very food we eat it's deserved place - pure respect for something that gives the body much nourishment.

Why so serious ...lah?

Why won't I just stick to doing drama (film and television)?

Food is drama ...lah! You should have been behind-the-scenes in my cooking show. I don't know about other food sets but there is so much laughter, stories (aka latest 'updates' ...haha) while waiting idly for each food process to develop. What would you do for 45 mins while waiting for the dough to rise?

And yes there is also the FOOD! YUM! Watching how food is being made at every process is a rush!

After doing so many food shows, each experience is a new one. Doing television programmes presents me with the means to present food gloriously and in ways that I would not have the chance to do everyday. I've met and made friends with so many chefs (and enjoy meeting new ones). From them, I realise that presenting food is an art too. It takes instinctive skill and a certain refined 'taste' to make food appetizing!

The competitive-factual programme, Celebrity Chef, highlighted to me that chefs are artistes too! It's delightful observing chefs orchestrate the kitchen to concoct a dish.

I'm glad that the series "So Lazat" was so well-received critically and commercially that it has become a benchmark to many info-magazine programmes after it, I was told. Honestly it was something I had not deliberately set to do when I was tasked to do the programme. I'm humbled.

The truth is that I had wanted to do comedy!!! Not slapstick comedy but comedy that is derived from life's lessons.

Well I may not be doing another comedy with VANILA. But I think VANILA offers the viewer life-learning pointers apart from the food baking ones and I hope this new baking show would be inspiring to the viewer as much as I had been inspired directing it, especially by the cook herself - Siti Mastura. She's one lady that's so full of life-lessons. Her personal story to get where she is today is something I think many people would relate to. She's not only pretty but she is also sincere with her ways. I feel so honoured to have the chance to work with her. Her pastries, cakes and advise never fail to provide the (sugar) rush that I need day-to-day.

Being scrutinised everyday is not the life I seek when I decide to be in this industry, but meeting souls like Siti brings hope and reminds me of life's purpose.

Food, glorious food!
                               
                              
                              
                              
                              

VANILA - the new baking show with Siti Mastura, premiered on 1 October 2009 @ 9pm, on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore.

A little distraction.

The future Miss Singapore... or is it The Future of Miss Singapore :o)

Have a good laugh. Enjoy!!!!

Special preview of Vanilla - the new baking series

This is a preview of the new baking show with Chef Siti Mastura, aptly titled, Vanilla. Scheduled for telecast in October 2009 on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore.

Vanilla (baking series) teaser #1 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

More details soon in the next few weeks.

Vanilla the upcoming baking series is produced and directed by Sanif Olek, written by Wan Firza. An Eaglevision production.

Best Short Film award 2009

Hello friends,
Just to share with you that the short film, à la folie | LOVE trilogy #2, has been awarded Best Short Film (Blencong Award) prize @ 4th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (August 4-8, 2009).

This is the first award for à la folie.

à la folie "like crazy" | LOVE trilogy #2 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

This award especially goes to these guys who had full confidence in my vision for this film...
Rafaat Hj Hamzah
Nina Halim
Fadly Awaludin


I am much humbled.

à la folie "like crazy" | LOVE trilogy #2 screening

Dear friends,

Just to let you know that the short film, à la folie | LOVE trilogy #2 is screening @ 4th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (August 4-8, 2009).
Schedule: Friday 7 August 2009 | 19:00 WIB-21:00 WIB | Taman Budaya Yogyakarta - Gedung II

It has just been screened at the 32nd Asian American Int'l Film Festival (New York), July 23-26, 2009.

à la folie "like crazy" | LOVE trilogy #2 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

Thank you for your support.

Sanif

Ramuan Rahasia "The Missing Ingredient" on SINdie

SINdie - the update on Singapore's independent filmmaking scene writes about Ramuan Rahasia "The Missing Ingredient".
Read all about it here.

Many thanks to Jeremy Sng and his team.

3rd film in LOVE trilogy : AMEEN

Dear friends,
Here is the AMEEN teaser. It is the 3rd short film to the LOVE trilogy - yes finally here after 4 years! AMEEN is expected to be released late 2009.

AMEEN | LOVE trilogy #3 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

Cast: Sani Hussin, Alfie Jerome, Megat Danial Sharip, Raja Zulfikaar Abdullah, Nur Kamalia Hatim, Siti Nurhuda Osman & Seriwahyuni Jaes.

1st film: LOST SOLE

Lost Sole | LOVE trilogy #1 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

2nd film: à la folie "like crazy"

à la folie "like crazy" | LOVE trilogy #2 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

AMEEN is a reeljuice production.

The Missing Ingredient - the journey so far

Firstly I'm just overwhelmed by the overall positive responses to this film project-in-progress. "Thank you" to friends and well-wishes from around the world.



I remembered hearing random remarks and comments from the general Malay public in Singapore when they heard about the on-going production of this film. The typical response gathered goes like this

FILMmaker: "kita nak buat filem" (we are doing a film feature)
Malay Public: "oh nak buat telemovie eh"? (oh, so it's a telemovie production?)
FILMmaker: "bukan" (no, it's not)
Malay Public: "berapa episode" (how many episodes), "jadi, bukan untuk Suria lah ni"? (so, it's not for the Suria channel, then?)
FILMmaker: "bukan untuk television" (no, it's not for television)
Malay Public: "kalau bukan untuk Suria, mana station yang nak siar"? (if it's not or Suria channel, which station will it be aired)
[.....!!!]

Cute. To these Malay "heartlanders", the concept of film production in Malay were buried since late 60s when the film lot belonging to the Shaw Brothers along Jalan Ampas off Balestier Road was closed. This era was endearingly considered by many Malays (both in Singapore and Malaysia) as the "Golden Age" of Malay filmmaking. Memorable films by luminaries like P Ramlee, Hussin Hanif and M Amin were produced during this era.

Fast forward to the late 1990s. I remembered about 13 years ago when the television channel Prime 12 (now Suria Channel) just started, many independent production houses doing television had a hard time communicating the idea of television production among private business (for sponsorship) and homeowners (for their residence). To seek permission to shoot in their respective premises, one had to go through endless scrutiny and skepticism just to impress upon them that our endeavour was legitimate. Back then, all television production was produced by TCS (pre MediaCorp), and to have a "production house" shoot for television was unheard of. I understand from my non-Malay peers in television that they faced similar situations among their "heartlander" community as well.

I think Malay filmmaking (especially Singapore) is undergoing a renaissance. The Singapore Malay Film Society on Facebook is blossoming. I see this "re-birth" in Singapore as a new opportunity to re-introduce the filmmaking concept to the community. I'm excited at the prospect that The Missing Ingredient would potentially be the film to re-introduce filmmaking to my endearing Malay community in the heartlands :)

But to do this, The Missing Ingredient will need all possible support firstly from the community itself. The world is our audience and they are ready to hear our unique stories. In the Cinemas.

Insya-Allah.

Join the TMI group on Facebook

Visit the TMI article on Channelnewsasia.com

The Missing Ingredient #1 video on Channelnewsasia.com

The Missing Ingredient "Ramuan Rahasia" film feature news report is ranked #1 "most-viewed" video stream on Channelnewsasia.com

(update 15 March - the video has now been archived. Go to videos archived on 12 March)

This film still needs funding to complete 2nd and final phases of production.

The film's progress is available on Facebook.

Visit the TMI article on Channelnewsasia.com

Thank you for the support.

Support The Missing Ingredient "Ramuan Rahasia"

Hello friends,
Thank you so much for your endless support for the local arts in Singapore.

My independent debut film feature, The Missing Ingredient "Ramuan Rahasia" is in production. The 1st phase of production has been completed. I'm humbled and thank all the kind souls (too many to mention here you know who you are) who have contributed in one way or another their time and resources to make the 1st phase of shoot for The Missing Ingredient a fruitful one.

This is a very important film which could potentially be the FIRST Singapore all Malay-language film since Jalan Ampas (Shaw Brothers) and Cathay Keris.

Here are some stills from phase #1.




The Missing Ingredient stars Dato' Rahim Razali, Aidli 'Alin' Mosbit, Rafaat Hj Hamzah, Asnida Daud, J A Halim, Aminah Ahmad, Hasyimah Hamidon, Aaron Aziz, Marina Yusof, Ariati Taeb Papar, Nina Halim, Dalina Jaapar, Roslan Kemat, Khalid Baboo, Keatar H M, Norsiah Ramly, Sani Hussin, Shah Iskandar, Abdullah Ahmad, Nurul Aini.

This is a plea for support. We are gathering funds to complete the next phase of shoot.

If you have the funds, and want to see this uniquely Singapore story completed - contact myself for details. I can't wait to share this milestone project with You in the cinemas.


Email reeljuice@gmail.com

The Missing Ingredient "Ramuan Rahasia" is also available on Facebook here.

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Catch The Missing Ingredient on television
- "BERITA", 8 pm Wednesday & Thursday (11 & 12 March 2009); Suria Channel, MediaCorp Singapore.
- ChannelnewsAsia, CNA 10.00pm, Wednesday 11 March 2009
- Channel 5 News, 9.30pm Wednesday 11 March 2009
- Dato' Rahim Razali in conversation with Daud Yusof on "BICARA" @ 10.30pm, Thursday 12 March 2009; Suria Channel, MediaCorp Singapore.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© All Rights Reserved. No Usage for Stills Allowed in Any Form Without the Written Consent of Sanif Olek and reeljuice Films. Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited.

Pesta Perdana 10 awards night outcomes

The results were announced on 27 February 2009

1. 1988... Segaris Sinar "Constellations" received 5 awards (18 nominations)
- Best Drama series
- Best Director
- Best Script (ep 4, Seriwahyuni Jaes | writer)
- Best Supporting Actor (J A Halim)
- Best Newcomer (Hasif Muhd Nasir)

2. Mentari "Ray Of Hope" (4 nominations)
- Best Info-ed

[...and the gist of what I had wanted to say - in Malay - before the nerves and spotlight got better of me, and I started to speak in English]

Thank you very much.

I still remember 13 years ago when I first started work on this line. I was young, don't know anyone, was working hard and broke most of the time (...and still is sometimes). My office was at Tampines and often I miss the last train at Tampines mrt to go home. And I live in Jurong West.

The work was tough (and still is). Many times I felt like giving up. But I had the good company of likeminded peers and dedicated artiste friends who inspired me to work harder.

This (award) is for you guys. Thank you.



1988 Segaris Sinar "Constellations" from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

Event coverage in ChannelnewsAsia.

Pesta Perdana 10

3 television programmes I directed (between 2007-2008) receive nominations in the MediaCorp TV12's upcoming Pesta Perdana 10.

1. 1988... Segaris Sinar "Constellations" (18 nominations) - drama series. View preview here.
2. Rahsia Perkahwinan II "Matrimonial Secrets II" (1 nomination) - drama series
3. Mentari "Ray Of Hope" (4 nominations) - docu-drama series. View preview here.

The outcomes shall be announced on 27 February 2009, 8.30pm, Suria channel.

Thank you for the love and kind words of support.

World Premiere: à la folie "like crazy"

à la folie "like crazy" | LOVE trilogy #2 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

à la folie "like crazy" - World Premiere @ 27th San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Festival (12-22 March 2009)

Screening schedules:
15 Mar | 6.45pm | Sundance Kabuki 3
18 Mar | 8.45pm | Sundance Kabuki 3

See details here