The script process; MENCARI HAJAR telemovie

MENCARI HAJAR, telemovie.
Begins streaming on Hari Raya Haji 2023 on MeWatch and Youtube

The scripting process.

The most important aspect of documentation is to go to the ground and actually meet the subjects about whom you’re telling the story.

I may be privileged to have researchers available to do the work for me, but nothing surpasses having real conversations with the respective profiles, to find that conscious connection with their life journeys. This explains why I insist on meeting the characters in person.

In Mencari Hajar, I have had the privilege of meeting 5 ladies whose life journeys parallel Hajar’s, the protagonist in the telemovie MENCARI HAJAR (streaming on MeWatch from Hari Raya Haji 2023).

Born Chinese in 1950, Hajar, was given away as a baby to a Malay-Muslim family and raised as one. Her past catches up with her as Hajar prepares for her first Haj. How would she deal with the discovery of her hidden past?

(Post WW2, it was common for Chinese newborn girls to be given away for adoption. Many adapted well into their respective adopted culture, while others may struggle with their identity from the detachment.)

The ladies fall into two camps; one has reunited with her Chinese family, the other has not and doesn’t want to meet them. The main reason for the latter is out of respect for the Malay family who raised her. In fact, even talking in private to me about that part of her life is regarded by her as somewhat out of line.

For context, around post-World War2, many Chinese newborn girls were given away for adoption to Malay families. These babies were given away due to many beliefs inherent in the culture during that period with having baby girls.

Regardless of who they are, they both seem to have moved past their respective traumas and now appear strong. Yet at times during conversations, there were hints of them being affected and even slightly bitter about having been given away.

The second arc in MENCARI HAJAR deals with victims of scammers. Research shows that scammers do not choose their victims. Anyone can be a victim. I chose a high-flying, career woman to be a victim to emphasis this important point.

MENCARI HAJAR stars Nora Samosir, Sharon Ismail, Joyce Harn, Michael Chua with Shahril Wahid & Sani Hussin. The telemovie begins streaming in Mediacorp MeWatch on Hari Raya Haji 2023.

Bilingual with English subtitles.

Directed and co-written by yours truly.