reeljuice™

Film revival?

2011-11-25T03:40:00.033+08:00

The Temasya Kampong Gelam was held last week 18-19 November 2011, being a "festival showcase of art and music" organised by the Malay Heritage Foundation.

An invitation was graciously sent out to filmmakers via email to submit their work, in a showcase scheduled for Friday, 18 November at 9.45pm to 10.45pm. I jumped at the opportunity to showcase my film, AMEEN, which incidentally is the third film in my LOVE Trilogy film compilation. AMEEN will be in competition at the upcoming Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (13-17 December 2011). This event seemed perfect to share AMEEN to the local audience who might have not seen my work beyond those in commercial television.

The Singapore Malay Film Society "SMFS" was also approached to submit films from its members. Subsequently, AMEEN and only 2 other films from the society was eventually screened that evening. I was there to support the event in person, also this would be the perfect chance to interact with the audience.

It appeared I was the only filmmaker in attendance.

With all respect to the organisers, there were many things that were disturbing that I sincerely felt strongly about. I do not wish to comment on events other than the respective film screening.

Like all "artistes", I am very passionate about my film work. The filmmaking process is laborious. It involves
1. a period of personal experiences that are eventually encapsulated in the script,
2. pre-production that involves negotiating with the cast and crew about availability and character development respectively,
3. production where it involves the actual shooting of the film for a few days depending the complexities of the story and cast availability.
4. finally the post-production - assembling the film footage and integrating it with a soundtrack, ie., finishing the film.
The whole process for a properly-executed, short film would have taken 6 months - minimum. Also, a large number of short filmmakers complete their film using independent resources, ie self-funded.

If only the organisers had appreciated the complex process that had gone in filmmaking I would imagine they would have given more consideration into the venue and schedule of the screening. The screening was allocated at the tail end of the day's long event. It felt like an afterthought. AMEEN was the first film to be screened but I was disheartened to observe that 5 minutes into it, a large chunk of the audience, which I noted were young teens from an orphanage, was herded out of the cavernous, air-conditioned tent (the Malay Heritage Centre complex is shut for redevelopment). I understood the curfews imposed on these kids - it was already past 10pm by the time AMEEN screened.

Now put yourself in the shoes of a filmmaker whose audience walked out on your film. Or how about you sitting in a cinema and having a crowd of latecomers walk across your view, or a performer with a heckler at the front row, or a batik painter discovering your work being used as a doormat? I think you get the picture. A handful of VIPs were there but I observed they looked too exhausted to concentrate on the films properly. Halfway through AMEEN, the were only a handful of people in the audience. The VIPs left at the end of AMEEN.

Just prior to the event day, observing that no one raised the matter on honorarium, I gently voiced the issue. Typically an honorarium is a healthy acknowledgment by organisers to filmmakers and this practice is common at many film events. Nevertheless the organiser responded surprised, which stumped me.

I was stumped because I was puzzled that the issue of honorarium was raised by myself - not the Singapore Malay Film Society. I am stumped because this sort of event would be the perfect environment where the Society could have exercised its ideals, facilitated and promoted some education of the filmmaking process to the public. One can speak only of revival of the "golden age of Singapore Malay filmmaking" too easily, it seemed. I do not wish to dictate how a society or an organisation should be run but ignoring basic ethics of handling films (that include negotiating of venue, schedule and overall positive acknowledgment to the artiste) is not one of them.

I wonder how would the late Hussein Haniff might have reacted. P Ramlee would have already turned in his grave to discover how his films are being handled these days. For those unaware, these dudes were legendary Malay filmmakers.

In such an event, films, filmmaking and cinema are not about fulfilling KPIs nor it is about standing on ceremonies. Films are made to empower the community that the filmmaker choose to represent. Films give that community a voice with its stories. Like other artistic pursuits, films have a voice and this voice deserves proper avenue and facilitation so that the voices can be communicated effectively.

Is such slipshot handling of films the way forward to educate films, filmmaking and cinema to the endearing local adik-abang-kakak-pakcik-makcik?

Nevertheless, on behalf of the filmmakers whose films were screened, I sincerely extend our gratitude to the organisers for the opportunity to screen our work. I hope it would be a better showcase in future.

Film screening - overseas.

2011-11-24T07:25:00.006+08:00

I'm very pleased to announce the following!

The film À LA FOLIE made an appearance at the inaugural Perth-Singapore Short Film Festival. This is it's premiere in Australia. Finally! The festival ran from 11-12 November 2011.

The film AMEEN is still travelling.

AMEEN was selected in Maskara Shorties - a non-competitive, curated short film festival held on 24 September, at Rumah Pena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The film, À LA FOLIE, was also screened at this event previously.

Come 13-17 December, AMEEN has been selected to compete at the Jojga-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2011. For those not aware, this is the same festival that À LA FOLIE received the "Best Short Film" award from in 2009. I couldn't attend the festival then to receive the prize as I was in the middle of a television shoot. I'm crossing my fingers this time if I can make a short trip to meet the organisers and fellow film lovers in Jogja.

NETPAC is a very important organisation and to be recognised itself is an honour. More information to what the NETPAC stands for, kindly visit this link.

Thank YOU so much for supporting my film work.

All these films are also available in the LOVE Trilogy compilation DVD. All sale proceeds of this DVD go to the RAMUAN RAHASIA film fund.

The Model Bawean 2011

2011-11-24T04:15:00.038+08:00

Some time during first half of 2011, I received an email from Persatuan Bawean Singapura "Singapore Bawean Association" for a little lunch meeting at Hajjah Maimunah restaurant at Joo Chiat Road. I was a little anxious when I was greeted by what seemed like the whole committee from the association! I've not been married yet, but the occasion felt like a Malay pre-nuptial merisik ceremony, haha! There were no less than 8 persons from the committee asking me all sorts of questions - all pertaining to my ethnicity and work. I guess they wanted to have a sneak of how rooted I am as a Singaporean Bawean and curious about my work.

Well to cut the long story short, I think I must have impressed them. Perhaps where I am personally and professionally, checked well into their conditions to something that I never expected in my whole life would qualify into :)

The Bawean Teladan "Model Bawean" award was presented on 11 September 2011.

This prestigious, bi-anual award is handed to Singaporean individuals of the Bawean ethnicity who have excelled in their various fields of work, but most importantly one that puts the ethnic group to the forefront in the national/international professional arena. Previous recipients were the late Hj Ridzuan Dzafir (1999; ex Director-General, Trade Development Board; ex President, Singapore Islamic Council 'MUIS'), Uztaz Hj Embik Ali (religious leader), Hj Ahmad Dawam (Bawean Putera Sepak Takraw Club), Sujimy Mohamad (media entrepreneur) and Hj Suhaimi Salleh (financial entrepreneur). I am recipient number 6.

It was only when the media reported the event on it's front page I had a reality check. It dawned upon me the respect the community had on me - and where this is going.

I am terribly humbled by the fact that I am receiving this award from my own community, the Baweans. (The other Malay main ethnic groups in Singapore are the Javanese and Bugis). This is just not about me, it's about the elders in my family who were brave enough to uproot and leave their homeland. I dedicate this award to these pioneers without whom, Singapore would be a different place. Truthfully, along with the other accolades in television and still-fledgling film work, I have never envisioned that I would be a Model Bawean. The responsibility that comes with this award is H.E.A.V.Y.

So, what happens after this? I hope to be consistent, both professionally and personally. However this journey is constantly a learning experience. And yes I am still human.

My journey started with the intention to consistently do the best that the circumstances would have allowed. Awards and accolades are truly, bonuses. What's important for me is that my work would make a difference to people's perception of the human condition. I don't set out deliberately to make a change but I need my audience to realise that we can make a change, that we can empower ourselves in whatever circumstances we might be in. Perhaps being one of the handful Malay students in my secondary school at Anglo-Chinese School (when there was only one ACS - Barker Road) and subsequently being one of the 2 Malay enlistees (!!) for National Service at the 1st Commando Battalion naturally taught me to stand out among the crowd. Perhaps growing up in working-class Boon Lay estate taught me to rise against that neighbourhood, to break the cycle and be the best.

I have to admit there's still a murmur of discomfort among some local-born Baweans - too embarrassed to own up their roots socially, perhaps for the reputation that the early Baweans might have brought when they arrived these shores. We are too aware of the lingering, not-too-positive impressions the other ethnic groups might still have on the Baweans. I just want to say this to these insecure folks - you're your own victim, when you succumb to your own baggage! I quote Lady Gaga - "Just put your paws up, 'cause you're born this way baby!".

الحمد لله All praises due to Allah

I have made this short video especially for the event. It was a scramble for ideas. I didn't want a corporate video about ME. I want it to be a tribute to my family that has supported me in this journey. And to celebrate the local Bawean community that has come a long way ever since our forefathers set sail with their little "perahu" (or so I was told by the elders) on the treacherous seas separating Bawean island in Indonesia and Singapore.

I thank my uncle, Hj Ahmad Purut, for kindly obliging to be in this video at such short notice. He speaks Bawean in this video. Also my mother, Hjh Isah, who had no clue then why I would want to make a video of her making the Murtabak/Roti Bawean :P

News of the event travelled fast and a couple of media in Bawean wrote about it too! I'm pleasantly surprised. This is truely special to be acknowledged by the kind folks in Bawean! Thank you so much.

Page 1, Berita Harian (Singapore Press Holdings); 19 September 2011

Heritage and history

2011-11-24T00:41:00.029+08:00

Dear friends, my apologies that this blog has not been updated as regularly as much as I would've wanted to. Too many things happened and as you might not be aware, sitting on the computer nor socialising over overpriced coffee would be the last thing I want to do after 12++ hours of shoot!

If you had followed my previous blog, one of the projects that had occupied me was a tremendously satisfying documentary series called PROJECT NEIGHBOURHOOD. I have always wanted to move away (when possible) from the typical light "info-ed/magazine" programmes that you typically watch on commercial television. PROJECT NEIGHBOURHOOD was what I consider a "real" documentary. This is something I'm moving on to besides television drama series and making films for cinema. The previous documentary I did was MODERN PILGRIMS during the summer of 2010.

In the previous blog, I wrote that I'll be doing 3 episodes. But I ended up completing 4 episodes - Jurong, Serangoon, Tiong Bahru and Bukit Timah. Much thanks to the folks at Oak3 especially Wan, Amalina, Jun, the assortment of APs/researchers, Noli (!!) and Mannix, whom I sensed kinda shared the same visual aesthetics as myself. We used the Panasonic AG-AF102 to shoot this series - a first for me in regards to the camera. It was a satisfying journey for me as this series also touched on heritage and people. Doing documentary is an extension of the "info-ed/magazine" programmes that I have done in the past. We uncovered HEAPS of information that I personally would have loved to be included in the programme. But the network and executive producer :P had other objectives to fulfill. Oh well, it's television and it's ...er, kinda cool as long as I still get to pay my bills ...haha!

Memorable moments
1. Jurong
This episode is something close to me personally due to the fact that I have been staying in Jurong all my life! However the estate still amazes me as there are still "nooks and corners" in Jurong that I have not discovered or heard of but never explored. This may sound cliche but that's the truth. For example, the Thow Kwang pottery at Jalan Bahar and that conversation with battle veteran Col (Ret) Goh Lye Choon who was one of the pioneers instrumental in setting up the training modules for National Service. It was touching to hear stories of the early settlers of the flats in Jurong. I should also add that my family was the first few families to move into Boon Lay and I could relate closely while listening to their stories.
<a href='http://video.xin.msn.com/?mkt=en-sg&vid=fac49314-1ad5-4ac7-8c4f-2da0b11d8a66&from=sharepermalink-facebook&src=v5:embed::' target='_new' title='Episode 3' >Video: Episode 3</a>

2. Serangoon
I do not live in Serangoon but this episode relates emotionally to me for two reasons - I love Little India and importantly, the fact that Serangoon was one of the location where the Baweans pioneered in Singapore. This episode was filmed a few days after I was graciously handed the prestigious Bawean Teladan 'Model Bawean" 2011 award by the Singapore Bawean Association. It was humbling and just THE story I need to tell the mainstream audience who may not be aware of the contribution of the Baweans in early Singapore. The other main Malay ethnic groups are the Javanese and Bugis.
<a href='http://video.xin.msn.com/?mkt=en-sg&vid=15827bde-1e02-4755-9a62-40ab5e593fb0&from=sharepermalink-facebook&src=v5:embed::' target='_new' title='Episode 4' >Video: Episode 4</a>

3. Tiong Bahru
I was a little apprehended when I was task to direct this episode as Tiong Bahru is an estate that I have no connection personally, other than the Art Deco architecture knowledge that I picked up during my previous trip to Brussels. I visited the house of Victor Horta who propelled Art Deco and Art Nouveau in Brussels. I recalled the old parts of Brussels while observing the old streets of Tiong Bahru.
<a href='http://video.xin.msn.com/?mkt=en-sg&vid=7d498357-8b0b-4e72-9881-79dceb58bd77&from=sharepermalink-facebook&src=v5:embed::' target='_new' title='Episode 7' >Video: Episode 7</a>

4. Bukit Timah
This episode could be one of the most interesting episode for me personally. We covered Bukit Brown cemetery - a haven of Singapore pioneers, Adam Park - I didn't realise that it was the site of an actual WW2 battle field in Singapore (the other being Pasir Panjang where the Lieutenant Adnan Saidi of the 1st Malay Regiment fell), the famous Bukit Timah Nature Park - do you know that the forest is older than the Amazon and that it has the only other natural park sited in a city other than Rio De Janeiro? Bukit Timah was also where the Railway once ran through and yes, where the British totally gave up on Singapore during WW2. Further, to discover there actually existed a Mr Chew Boon Lay, whom Boon Lay estate was named after, via his tomb felt surreal. Oh, I attended Anglo-Chinese School (when it was still one school at Barker Road) thus I can relate to the theme for this episode.
<a href='http://video.xin.msn.com/?mkt=en-sg&vid=e4ae09d5-f69d-4ee2-b321-83f71d7ac6ac&from=sharepermalink-facebook&src=v5:embed::' target='_new' title='Episode 8' >Video: Episode 8</a>

Enjoy!

Ramadan/Syawal 1431 (2010)

2011-09-22T20:55:00.023+08:00

I have meant to put this up during Ramadan this year to commemorate 1 year of my visit to the Holy Land. I was tasked to direct the documentary "Modern Pilgrims" for MediaCorp's ChannelnewsAsia. I look back at the series with fond memories. Three things come to mind.

1. The project was delayed for one year, ie the trip was supposed to take place in 2009, but delayed by paperwork. Alhamdulillah, on 3 September 2010 the crew and I left for Medina. I would also like to add that it was Ramadan 1431 through Syawal 1431 when I made that trip. I arrived Medina during the last 10 days of Ramadan and left Mecca at the end of the first week of Syawal.

2. I was raised in a conservative Islamic environment - my parents pursued their utmost responsibilities to be the best Muslim parents, I attended up to Primary 6 in Madrasah Islamic school - somehow, pop music seems to be more appealing. So it was high anticipation, excitement yet apprehension as to how I would "perform" in the house of GOD. I'm still perfecting my self.

3. It was in the middle of the northern-hemisphere summer when we arrived, in Ramadan. The temperature was up to 45 degrees celcius. I had to be sure I get ALL the items I had planned to film, liaise with the ground via the fixer on our daily programmes, which was a tough call. AND on top of that the ibadah itself. It was hard, Subhanallah. I had an awakening - an awakening of my self. And the extreme humility I felt in His presence. 2 things - visiting the Prophet Muhammad SAW at his tomb and THAT sunset experience at Mt Uhud. Masya'Allah! And of course that moment as I faced the Kaabah. It was magical to be at THE centre of gravity where all of solats/prayers are directed - wherever one can be in every part of the world.

As the filming team did not restrict ourselves to just the respective city centres, we often wandered off the beaten tracks, ie, making friends with the endearing locals and visiting quaint street corners where these locals hangout in both Medina and Mecca. I also got to know closer the rich Ottoman heritage that is eroding. The various stories of the human condition from people I spoke to in the streets - determined kindred spirits who made their way to the Holy Land despite poverty and other personal drives - were so inspiring and humbling! So much were going on that were not within the documentary's narrative. And I feel fortunate to be able to connect with the Holy Land this way.

In the midst of these challenges, I completed a total of 4 Umrahs in Mecca. The first Umrah was completed on 1st Syawal 1431. We returned to Singapore on 18 September 2010. Alhamdulillah

With God's grace, here is the documentary in 4 parts.
NOTE: ALL COPYRIGHTS ARE OWNED BY MEDIACORP CHANNELNEWSASIA. I posted this video purely in the spirit of Ukhwah (friendship, relationship, bond). May it benefit fellow Ummah and general understanding of Islam for others.

Project Neighbourhood

2011-09-20T03:48:00.001+08:00

I am currently researching/shooting/editing a new series called Project Neighbourhood. I'm drawn to the series because these series is about a celebration of the community spirit as well as an analysis of the efforts and movements that help to uphold it. It is about the people and their memories, the effects of infrastructure on people, the lifestyle that binds people and the future of the people. It's also about heritage which I'm growing to be more interested in.

I am directing 3 episodes - Jurong, Serangoon and Tiong Bahru.

Jurong
Having lived in the west since I was forever :) I thought I'd have Jurong at my fingertips. Man, I was wrong. Firstly it was nice to reminiscent my childhood. Apart from the new housing flat buildings, there was really nothing much else in Boon Lay. I remember many of us could still smell the paint and concrete from the flats. The piece of land where the markets and malls are located along Boon Lay Place was still a barren grassland. I'm also intrigued by the stories of two gentlemen who were among the first batch in the National Service. There is also the pottery factory along Jalan Bahar that is just counting it's away days to closure. Now, I've stayed in the West all my life and I've only stepped into this pottery heritage enclave. An then, there's the quaint story of Pandan Gardens. Do you know that Pandan Gardens was considered a backwater estate in its early days. It's amazing to listen to stories of it's residents who stayed and formed close-knit communities. At one point, I recalled hearing stories of how Pandan was sinking! Not forgetting is the story of a funeral broker whose perspective of business of the dead changed when there was a death in his immediate family.

Serangoon
The Little India neighbourhood has always fascinated me with its authentic colours, smell and beat. But Serangoon offers more than that. There was a map drawn by a Mr Jackson during colonial times that suggests Serangoon Road runs across Singapore, beginning "downtown" Singapore of the time and Northwards to Hougang thru Sembawang! It could stand as the longest road in Singapore. Some said Serangoon comes from the bird, the ranggong, that once populate the area. Besides stories of the pioneering Indian merchants and ex-convicts (during colonial times, Singapore was an Indian penal colony) there were also stories of the Baweans. Now you wonder where or who this group of people are. There hailed from Bawean, an island north of Surabaya in East Java, Indonesia. The Baweans occupied many of the shophouses that they called the Pondok (or Ponthuk), which turn out to be a large, encompassing support system providing refuge for the new arrivals and Baweans who arrived prior. It's fascinating that at one point the number of Pondoks was so overwhelming that the area where they resided, ie Kampong Kapor, was also known by Kampong Boyan. There was even a mosque built by and named after the Baweans. Further up northeast, there is of course the hip, middle-class enclave of Serangoon Gardens. IN the midst of the tranquility, Serangoon in the past was a refuge of big-time criminals! Many shootouts (!) took place too when police raided these refuges.

Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru conjures images of art deco, whitewashed residential flats. The flats are unlike the 20-30 storey housing flats you see in the heartlands. But these are 3-5 story walk-up apartments. Dwelling further, Tiong Bahru in its heyday was like the present "Punggol 21" estate. It housed mainly 2nd generation Singaporeans of middle-class parents. Many of the residents were regular wage-earners. Take a walkabout along the lanes in this district, one is transported back into the 50s and 60s. There is a sort of vibe that one feels when one takes a walk into the old estates. The only other estate that brings me that sort of throwback is Old Airport Road. Do you know that many of the swinging pop bands of the 60s were from Tiong Bahru. There is also the Monkey God Temple that has just commemorated its 91st anniversary. Away from Tiong Bahru, there were the folks from the quarters at Singapore General Hospital. This estate was a total contrast to the swanky Tiong Bahru. LIke Bukit Ho Swee, the folks from the quarters represent the real working-class residents. However, regardless of their background, these folks have one thing in common - The Great World, a mega-huge entertainment center that catered to all walks of life and tastes.

NOTE: Project Neighbourhood is an 8-episode, 1 hour documentary series to be telecast on the OKTO channel. (Date + time TBC)

An upcoming judging gig

2011-07-29T16:20:00.017+08:00

It is always an honour when I get that call to share my experience in television or filmmaking to respective enthusiasts. In the 15 plus years I've been in this industry (since graduating from film school in 1996), I may have not gone through as much as others. My journey is still a work-in-progress, but I look forward to share these pains(!!) and joys I experienced - with the hope that others do not have to go through (again) these pains, or at least not the full yard. And of course, celebrate the joys of creating and collaborating with like-minded creative souls.

I have been invited by the organisers of an upcoming filmmaking event called ciNE65, to be one of its judges. One of the reasons I agree to this gig is that the competition dwells on the Singaporean identity - what is contemporary Singapore and what a rooted, Singaporean is like. I have visited and revisited these themes in all my films.

We are all unique Singaporeans. Come participate and tell our stories, with our own voice. A Malay saying goes, "Kalau bukan kita sendiri, siapa lagi?" - go figure this one out yourself, it's expressed in the Singapore national language!

In studying the final submissions, I personally would like to see something beyond the typically sentimental/rose-tinted/romanticised approach that has flooded local videos/films when such nationalistic/heritage/nostalgic themes are touched on. Just like the national anthem, we progress onward! Majulah Singapura!!

Let's be clever with originality.

Several videos to serve as notes for filmmakers have been recorded. You can find these videos below. Thank you to the team at Sinema for making me look good :)

Participate. Collaborate. Tell your story, convincingly.

The LOVE trilogy dvd

2011-06-15T19:38:00.018+08:00

To push fund-raising efforts for my upcoming, still-incomplete feature film, RAMUAN RAHASIA, I have compiled my short films into a single dvd disc, called The LOVE Trilogy.

The LOVE Trilogy consists of the award-winning films LOST SOLE, À LA FOLIE and AMEEN.

Each of these films has different themes and the characters that reside in these films echo the various interpretations and personifications of what love could be about. LOST SOLE takes off after Friday noon solat when kiayi Haji Sabtu discovers to his dismay that his slippers are missing. The search to find his slippers leads to self-discovery. À LA FOLIE takes its inspiration from the classical Ramayana texts. Set in Singapore’s “Little India” at Serangoon Road, this second film in the trilogy explores love with a post-modernist take on this much-beloved literary classic. The final film, AMEEN, explores what it means to love behind facades of spirituality and flawed veneers. Visit this link for details.

S$20 each. Overseas orders add S$10 for postage (registered airmail).
Transaction methods
PAYPAL acct: sanif.olek@gmail.com
Post Office Savings Bank acct no: 085 827 227
Please email reeljuice@gmail.com for quantity & postal address.

The LOVE Trilogy is also available at Wardah Books, Bussorah Street (Arab Street), Singapore.

All proceeds from the sale of The LOVE Trilogy dvd goes to the RAMUAN RAHASIA film fund appeal.

The soft launch of The LOVE Trilogy dvd was held on 19 June, in conjunction with KONSERT RAMUAN, a music festival that brings together various international and local-based Singaporean artistes, performing in solidarity to raise funds for RAMUAN RAHASIA. Please visit this link for the concert.

UPDATE: Here is the review of The LOVE trilogy dvd.

The idea of using children for the cover is to illustrate LOVE in its purest form and a child's innocence exemplifies this perfectly. Artwork by Sanif Olek.

The FRONT COVER

The BACK COVER

PS: Just in case you are wondering, these kids are my nieces (Syiqin & Adila) and nephews (Alif & Syafiq), in a beautiful moment captured on my camera more than 12 years ago.

KONSERT RAMUAN

2011-06-02T02:30:00.009+08:00

KONSERT RAMUAN is a music festival that brings together various international and local-based Singaporean artistes, performing in solidarity to raise funds for Sanif Olek’s yet-to-be-completed feature film, RAMUAN RAHASIA. Together, fascinating flea market with vendors selling eclectic products adds colour to the event!

Date: 19 June 2011
Time: 10am – 6pm
Venue: Goodman Arts Centre. 90 Goodman Road, Singapore 439053
Public transport: Mountbatten MRT station | Bus 30, 196, 14, 158, 401

Raise Money Online with GoFundMe.com

Art and the “lowest denominator"

2011-05-14T10:25:00.023+08:00

Please allow me to ramble...

2011 marks fifteen years eversince I graduated from film school in 1996. When I first enrolled into film school in 1993, it had been a case of circumstantial convenience than a deliberate “plan” to “be” a director in film or television.

Between the first humbling industry award to the most recent one I received in March 2011, I reflect upon the many questions that has been posed to myself. The questions range from innocent ones like “have you always wanted to be a director” and “is directing hard” to “does it pay well” and more profound ones like “what sort of change do you intent to make with your work”. Pondering over how to best respond to these queries, I often mused at how these “standard questions” are now turned to me – I have been the one to post these. But none had really prepared me to face what eventually became a main critique to my Malay television work – that my work in drama tend to be too “arty-farty” for television.

Puzzling.

I have a simple philosophy when it comes to work - to stay committed and complete it effectively respective of the circumstances. I recall during national service a sergeant major, in optimism, would constantly remind us “there’s always the 50-50 chance a mission would fail”. This advice prepares and challenges me to come up with effective solutions.

Growing up in the local Malay community, observing them and subsequently serving them with television content, my like-minded peers strive to produce content that steers away from the “makcik-makcik” (loosely translated, “matronly”, or non-contemporary) appeal. There is always a struggle to cater to commercial television that attempts to net the widest demographic groups and appeal to the vast spectrum of intellectual leanings as much as possible within a single programme. The network’s strive to hit high "ratings" for these respective programmes (which translates to the healthy bottomline) for itself has been a bane to producers and directors like myself.

I stress that my intention in television is always about serving the community. I have always been thoughtful about my audience and my training in anthropological analysis and social documentary at the university have made me sensitive to the fragile human condition and how to serve it effectively. Before attending film school, I was doing photography and my transition to the video spectrum had been a breeze. From film school, I learnt that structure in storytelling and how to tell that story effectively cannot be underestimated. And one of these methods to communicate one’s storytelling is the mise-en-scène.

...Recently, the term has come to represent a style of conveying the information of a scene primarily through a single shot - often accompanied by camera movement. It is to be contrasted with montage-style filmmaking - multiple angles pieced together through editing. Overall, mise-en-scène is used when the director wishes to give an impression of the characters or situation without vocally articulating it through the framework of spoken dialogue, and typically does not represent a realistic setting... (WIKIPEDIA)

Now, when the critique to my television drama work is that it's too arty-farty, I am puzzled - primarily for two reasons. Firstly it attacks my sincere intention and secondly, it promotes an inaccurate, unhealthy perception of my work and my self. This association simply disregards my philosophy of promoting education to my production and to add value to my content. Furthermore, it simplifies my capacity as a multi-genre television director. I believe the television awards in various genres I have received up to this point stressed my capabilities.

One only needs to listen closely to the ground the common complaint to local Malay programming is its regressive tendency for mindless, dumbing-down programming at the audience. This is where I feel mise-en-scène, on top of a good script, would perhaps alleviate these concerns. Low-denominator appeal doesn’t mean low-brow nor low-concept. Mise-en-scène goes a long way to inculcate quality programming on easy entertainment for my heartlander Malay audience.

Have I overestimated the audience in applying mise-en-scène to my work? Does local Malay dramas have to regularly site itself among the generic, recycled and inward? Does the local Malay audience deserve constant dumbing down programming?

Here I would like to stress that television, like film, is primarily a visual medium. A good script doesn’t need implausible, didactic dialogues. I need not tell the audience I am drinking Milo from a red cup when the audience can see the red cup. However the audience want to know why I’m using a red cup to drink that Milo.

Or perhaps the important television folks have miscalculated my techniques? Perhaps they have underestimated the essence of directing itself – that directing is not just a technique of framing actors, recording them emitting dialogues lines and ensuring camera continuity. Perhaps they have overlooked the positive feedback from the ground that my work is often unique, identifiable and “different”. I humbly mused when audience says my work looks appealing or “beautiful”. Thank you :)

Even cooking shows need mise-en-scène to render the food featured appealing on television. Many such shows produced locally in my humble opinion has fallen into the generic, in such a way that these have failed to communicate the essence of the flavour and taste of the cooking. But I digress...

Elaborating on Wikipedia’s definition, the mise-en-scène encourages motivation and brings nuance to the actor’s movement, the dialogues, the location and finally the framing of the action. A composition without mise-en-scène is like a Malay rendang dish without the kerisik (grated, toasted and grounded coconut paste), the Chinese laksa without coconut milk and the Italian spaghetti dish without the tomato base.

The human condition is sensitive. Each story deserves its own visual character and treatment.

Perhaps my recognition in recent years as a “filmmaker” has further clouded them into thinking that I’ve been too arty-farty to "dumb down" or steer myself for other genres. One only needs to study my past television portfolio to see that I have done comedy programmes too. I couldn't speculate more.

One should remember that the cast in the television series, Friends, are not comedians, but actors. Thus, perhaps these detractors need to do their own research to understand the “filming language” before diluting my techniques.

Just as it has been my ambition to propel Malay films in a manner Chinese films have been brought to international appeal by Zhang Yimou, I would like Malay television to level it’s standard to the best that comes out of Hollywood. I would like these critics give room for people like myself to nurture and improve Malay televison as much as I, in my capacity as a director, listen to my actors to earn their best performance and always keep to the plot. It's a small enough industry, let's not further wedge its development.

Assumptions are termites of relationships.

Ramuan Rahasia 10:3

2011-05-08T09:06:00.070+08:00

You may be wondering about the digits in title.

It was about 10 years ago (since 2002) when I conceptualised RAMUAN RAHASIA ("the elusive ingredient", loosely translated) as a film and 3 years ago when the 1st phase (February 2009) of filming the feature film began. Since then, I have gone through interesting personal and professional journey at various levels. This experience highlights to me the meaning of humility and value of compassion. Importantly, it has taught me the value of engagement - of discovering my self and utilising the creative gift I have to affect change, for the benefit of society and my community. It has also taught me to appreciate the creative company I have been blessed with and those before them to further the cause for social change. Their perseverance inspires me. Their friendship gives me strength and reason for being.

I used to wonder why I'm still on RAMUAN RAHASIA, putting myself out there when many would have considered the project as a "lost cause". No, it's not glamorous having my face splashed on main feature articles when the discussion is about the lack of money to complete a project. It's not glamorous obliging to full-page write-ups pleading for money hoping for a kind soul out that would be moved by the real intention on making RAMUAN RAHASIA. However these need to be done to connect with my audience and appeal to new ones.

I am blessed with compassionate friends in the industry and I sincerely thank them. I appeal to keep RAMUAN RAHASIA in your radar, please.

I have been doing a lot of soul-searching. On several internet responses addressed to my Malay community I posted this,

I consider myself an observer, storyteller and filmmaker. I'm not good at expressing myself in smart-sounding posts and essays, but I do find joy in expressing through the visual medium (film, television), where I humbly consider myself more proficient. I want to serve my community - via the respective familiar platforms that I can communicate my thoughts. I don't believe that posting questions and rhetorics on the whys and hows to be cathartic.

The film medium cuts all boundaries and is accessible to everyone. I believe that when the film, RAMUAN RAHASIA, is ready, perhaps it would bring us to another level of LOVE and appreciation to what makes kita orang Melayu (the Malay) unique. This is not my film. RAMUAN RAHASIA adalah filem kita - untuk santapan masyarakat kita (is our film - for us). Like the written prose, films contribute to our community's cultural development. It documents our current being. Thus, if you are concerned about our community please open your hearts and support generously to the RAMUAN RAHASIA film fund appeal. Let's walk the talk together.

I get asked repeatedly why I have not applied/received any financial support from the relevant film bodies or organisations. I don't wish to discuss that here as this post is not about that. Furthermore it won't be enough to fit 13 years of that here. It's also unhealthy to speculate these speculations in print as doing so would possibly invite legal suits. RAMUAN RAHASIA would prefer to expend its money constructively.

To those unaware, I have been on a crowdfunding campaign since early 2010. Subsequently, I have set up a new funding here. The response since the 1st crowdfunding call has been good but very slow. What is humbling for me is that many of the contributors have been the "little people" (I've yet to hear from the big-wigs) - people like you and I who take the trains and buses to work. It is the things they wrote (I wish I can share all of them here) that move me a lot. It is these little, sincere notes that make it all seem worthwhile. And no, it's not just coming from the Malay folks. They just believe. So, tell me my friends, how could you not be moved by these gestures???? These and the support from industry peers has made me see the need to complete this film, regardless of the odds.

Last I spoke with Cathay-Keris (Singapore) I was assured (in-principle) they would be keen to exhibit the film - but no money for production - when the film is finally completed. I'm humbly appreciative of the gesture. This is one more assurance to push for additional funding to complete RAMUAN RAHASIA.

I realised some time ago that despite my accolades in the television industry, I have to work harder when it comes to making films and selling them. I am among the millions of first-time feature filmmakers who aspire to share the stories of his community to the world by having my community's cultural record be projected on the giant cinema screen. As a document for future generations, much like how the late, great Malay filmmakers (P Ramlee, Hussin Haniff, M Amin) who made their endearing stories at Jalan Ampas (Shaw Brothers) and Jalan Buloh Perindu (Cathay-Keris) have done with their films.

The journey for a new product entering the market is as uncertain as Nemo's (yes, that film cartoon character) first adventure in a fish tank. Hey, Nemo persevered and endured because of the eclectic friends and alliances he made with total strangers who eventually lead him back into the ocean. The fish tank was a scary environment for Nemo but he return to the ocean a better fish with the experience in the fish tank. Understably, not many folks dare to make that first venture nor pay for an untested, new product - but a trusted brand should never be complacent too. Subsequently I believe a set of collected samples and regurgitated business models cannot guarantee fixed Return-On-Investments (ROI).

Filmmakers like Majid Majidi, Pedro Almodóvar and Zhang Yimou inspire me greatly. Their resilience to communicate their respective stories in their native tongue humbles me, who is still struggling to speak Bahasa Melayu effectively.

"If music be the food of love, play on..." (TWELFTH NIGHT; Act 1, scene 1)

Looking ahead and reflecting the journey I've walked in the last 3-4 years (emotionally and professionally), I can only hope that my audience would see through my intentions. RAMUAN RAHASIA is not just a "Malay film". Nor RAMUAN RAHASIA is about the race to be the "1st Singapore-Malay Film". Nevertheless, there is the urgency to project a particular Singapore Story. Singapore has developed rapidly over the last 50 years that the world has found it harder to connect with contemporary Singaporeans on a human level. RAMUAN RAHASIA is a discourse that I would like the larger audience to engage with me - of a cultural collage unique to Southeast Asia.

This video gives me hope in my journey with RAMUAN RAHASIA.

(No, I don't have commercial affiliations with Apple)

Kuda Hitam

2011-04-30T06:01:00.011+08:00

There was a period from the late 70s till early 80s where I listened to Malay radio a lot. The song, Kuda Hitam "Black Horse" is one of the songs that I had liked since I was a child. This evergreen Indonesian song has lyrics that stay true to the traditional, Malay-styled nature of imparting advice - non-confrontational, courteous and analogous. Sounds simple but isten to the song carefully.

The Malay language is simple yet intensely clever. They say that to know the language is to know the culture. How apt.

I especially like this version sung by the legendary songbird, Hetty Koes Endang.

Kuda Hitam
Kuda hitam aduh... kuda hitam
Tak dihitung namun berbahaya
Lari tenang aduh... pelan-pelan
Tau-tau bisa nyampai keluan

Gadis manis aduh... kulit hitam
Hidung mancung agak... berbahaya
Tenang-tenang aduh... menghanyutkan
Tau-tau bisa bikin kejutan

(chorus)
Kalaulah naik kuda hitam
Lari kencang nafas pun panjang
Kalaulah punya pacar hitam
Walau hari panas senyum senang

Jangan marah aduh abang-abang
Hati-hati hidup di dunia
Jangan pandang aneh pandang ringan
Aku nyanyi bukan sembarangan

Majulah Singapura.

2011-04-28T04:18:00.006+08:00

I'm a Singaporean and I hold my pink IC proud. But when a party chants Majulah PAP, Majulah Singapura at election campaigns... I Malu-lah, Singapura! (Singapore, I'm embarrassed).

I believe Zubir Said wrote the National Anthem for Singaporeans, not for any political party.

Majulah Singapura (original Malay version)
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

Onward Singapore
Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success
Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore

Please be respectful.

VOLUPTAS film teaser.

2011-04-18T04:34:00.003+08:00

Presenting the teaser.

A reeljuice production.
Story by Sanif Olek & Hady A Hamid. Produced & directed by Sanif Olek.

VOLUPTAS stars Ariati Tyeb Papar, Aaron Aziz, Suhaillah Salam. Additional casting supported by Fadly Awaludin, Douglas Lam, Girish Pandey. Introducing Elyaz Miqa and a special appearance by Mastura Ahmad.

Coming soon.

Ramuan Rahasia in print [February - April 2011]

2011-03-25T13:35:00.007+08:00

"In search of the missing ingredient".(page 1/2) *MANJA magazine, April 2011.

"In search of the missing ingredient".(page 2/2) *MANJA magazine, April 2011.

*The New Paper, 24 March 2011. Photo by Marcus Mok. [PS: hey, I'm not 45, yet ...hehe :P]

"Sanif incorporates Malay perspectives in filmmaking". *Berita Harian, February 14, 2011.

*Manja is published by MediaCorp Publishing, Singapore.
*Berita Harian is published by SPH Publishing, Singapore.
*The New Paper is published by SPH Publishing, Singapore.

A glimpse #2.

2011-03-13T04:51:00.005+08:00

VOLUPTAS ~ "What you don't need, you don't keep."

An upcoming, independent feature film directed by Sanif Olek.
Story by Sanif Olek & Hady A Hamid. A reeljuice production.

Release date: TBC.

Pesta Perdana 2011

2011-03-08T15:11:00.021+08:00

At Pesta Perdana 2011 (presented March 4), the drama series, Ayah @Rumah "Stay-home Dad", was awarded "Best Director, Drama" for Sanif Olek and "Best Lead Actress" for Sharon Ismail.

It was nominated in the following categories
1. Best Drama: Ayah Kat Rumah
2. Best Scriptwriter: Muzafar M Yusof
3. Best Director: Sanif Olek
4. Best Actor: Osman Sulaiman
5. Best Actress: Sharon Ismail
6. Best Child Actor: Akid Fauzan Boey

Thank you Papahan Films for getting me involved in Ayah @Rumah. I take the award back to that meeting Raihan & myself had at maccas Bras Basah, where we first discussed the direction that Ayah @Rumah should take.

I share this award with Hady A Hamid - the other deserving director!! (We directed alternate episodes).

To Osman and Sharon for working their a*** off on this production, yes they did! To Akid and Nazrie too. To the production crew + technical crew + interns (...too many to mention here, but you kickass mofos know who you are!) for putting it all together. To Yane and his crew for the sofa and World Cup.

It was hard work and much sacrifice. It was not perfect. But the laughter kept us all together :)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M TRULY HUMBLED!!

Post-script:
This award was presented before the "live" event, ie pre-recorded (...WTH!). Would ceremonies such as the Oscars/Emmys/Baftas/Arias have done that to this award category?

Note:
This is the 2nd consecutive award for myself in this category, ie Director, drama series. The first was in Pesta Perdana 10 (2009). In 2005, I received the same award but for a Special Drama category.

"Ramuan Rahasia" feature film funding appeal

2011-01-07T00:05:00.065+08:00

Please help to spread the word.

This is an appeal to assist funding to complete the still-in-progress feature film, "Ramuan Rahasia" [The Missing Ingredient]. Production commenced in 2009 but has stalled due to insufficient funds. Read on for funding details..

Also visit the appeal page on Facebook.

"Ramuan Rahasia", blends spicy food, classic Nusantara Malay songs and unrequited love into a digestible contemporary platter. The film not only entertains, your monetary pledges will support to document a cultural collage unique to Southeast Asia.

THE FILM

If music be the food of love, play on... (Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Act 1, Scene 1)

"Ramuan Rahasia" is inspired by food films such as Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman, Lars Halström’s Chocolat, Gabriel Axel’s Babette’s Feast and Alfonso Arau’s Like Water For Chocolate.

Thus in "Ramuan Rahasia", the dish used is Sambal Goreng, a signature Malay dish. To further anchor the work in the regional social context, evergreen Nusantara folk songs such as Si Jali-jali and Sayang di Sayang, have been incorporated which will be sung by and give greater dimension to key characters in the film.

"Ramuan Rahasia" also pays homage to the musical film genres directed by the late P Ramlee and M Amin at Shaw and Cathay-Keris Studios respectively.

THE CINEMATIC PROJECT
Potentially the first full-length Malay-language feature film made in the country in forty years, imagine "Ramuan Rahasia" as the meeting of Zhang Yimou's Raise The Red Lantern peppered by Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding with a dash of Robert Benton's Kramer vs Kramer.

Rahim Razali, a legend in Southeast Asian Malay cinema, heads the list of well-known talent.

The cross-cultural components that make up "Ramuan Rahasia" taps on the ready Malay-speaking audience in 'Nusantara', where a majority totalling 370-million reside in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia alone. The film situates itself as speaking from the centre of the Nusantara. On top of that, the cross-cultural themes in the film are a magnet to the Malay diaspora and lovers of Malay culture around the world. The universal theme of love lost and reconciled should guarantee it a wide potential audience.

THE FUNDING
The project needs S$300 000 more to complete. This fund is required to film the remaining 10 days of shoot, including post-production costs. The initial 65% was filmed out of Sanif Olek's own resources.

Transaction methods
PAYPAL acct: sanif.olek@gmail.com
Post Office Savings Bank (Singapore) a/c no: 085 827 227
All currencies in Singapore dollars.

BASIC $10-100
Immense gratitude and appreciation

PREMIUM I $200-300
Signed script.

PREMIUM II $400-500
Signed DVD + Credit on website

PREMIUM III $1000-2000
Signed DVD + 2 tickets to the premiere screening.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER $4000-5000
All of the above + Thank you credit on film

CO-PRODUCER $10 000
All of the above + Opening credit on film

PRODUCER $50 000
All of the above + Opening credit on film

Raise Money Online

A glimpse #1

2010-12-29T23:45:00.014+08:00

VOLUPTAS ~ "What you don't need, you don't keep."

An upcoming, independent feature film directed by Sanif Olek.
Story by Sanif Olek & Hady A Hamid. A reeljuice production.

Release date: TBC.

Screening updates.

2010-12-07T13:21:00.008+08:00

AMEEN will screen as part of Sinema Showoff! Curator’s Picks (Season 2010).
Date: Tuesday, Dec 21,
Screening time: 7.15pm sharp.
Venue: Sinema Old School, 11B Mount Sophia, Singapore 228466
Admission is Free. Tickets are available online tix.sinema.sg or at the door on a first come first serve basis.

Screening will be followed by Q&A. Media links here and here.

Making films.

2010-12-05T05:10:00.047+08:00

I have been asked this question many times from many Singaporean filmmakers who are just starting out, don't have the 'connections' or rich parents. Or others who wonder why I'm slogging on making films when I can just remain doing fun television programmes. I wish I have the perfect answer, below are extracted from the latest one I posted on Imran Ajmain's Facebook post. I've attempted to respond the best I could.

The Question.
How do young Malay people interested in film and video find out about doing something?
What kind of projects that you see happening elsewhere could we emulate for the SG scene for indie movie-makers?
Because of censorship & funding, and just about the lack of scarcity for content, Indonesian film-makers burst into a straight-to-DVD frenzy, and going strong til today. Can this happen in SG?

My response.
You NEED to COMMUNICATE your STORY to your audience. Tell them WHAT YOUR STORY IS ALL ABOUT. If you YOURSELF are able to tell your story in ONE LINE effectively, you have managed to engage your audience 80% to your story.

For example, you must be able to tell "My story is about Jack who wants to go up the hill to fetch Jill a pail of water", not "My story is about Jack's frustration going up the hill to find water for Jill". We already know it's frustrating to go up the hill, on top of that to carry a pail of water. We WANT to know HOW Jack manage to fetch that water for Jill.

What is so unique about your film?
Ask yourself these questions - why would you want to watch another half-past six MATRIX when Hollywood has done it perfectly? Why would you want to watch another Godfather when the one done by Francis Ford Coppola is considered the TOP 5 best film of ALL TIME in the world. Why would you want to watch another INFERNAL AFFAIRS when even the one remade by Martin Scorsese (The Departed) is considered inferior to the original done by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak in Hong Kong?

I feel that "wannabe" film story tellers are so fearful of how people would react to their work. Or how their film would look like. I've mentioned this and I'll mention this again. STORY is king, and I believe this applies to to making music/poetry as well. When your CONTENT is good and effective, people will be drawn to it NATURALLY lah.

Technology CANNOT assist you when your storytelling is zero. Good example of impressive films with flawed storytelling - Spiderman lll, X-Men lll, 90% of Michael Bay's films, Gangs Of New York, Matrix lll, etc...

I observe that a lot of people are worried more about technique and style than CONTENT. Technical gimmick and eye candy CANNOT hide flawed storytelling. Your HDSLRs and REDs can come later, much later, after your STORY.

You want to be innovative? Fine. Go to film school or at least study the fundamentals about structure. Quentin Tarantino learnt about linear storytelling so that later he could start breaking some rules.

The late P Ramlee (father of Malay cinema) said, "Seni itu adalah kerja Tuhan maka lakukan dengan bersungguh-sungguh dan penuh keikhlasan" (Art is God's gift, thus practice it wisely with sincerity).

Yes the only way to get your film noticed is film festivals. Don't get disappointed if the first film festival you sent your film to gets rejected. Different film festivals have their own niche and target audience. One of the reasons your film gets rejected could be the theme in your film is not suitable for the film festival, or that the film festival's programmer is simply NOT into your film, not that your film might be bad. Otherwise EAT HUMBLE PIE and make another one, and another one, to improve on your storytelling.

Oh, your family and best friends are not exactly the best people to judge your work.

For my views on censorship, kindly read this article. On government film funding, check the Singapore Film Commission's website (which you can google/bing/yahoo).

I'm still self-funding my films. Either my stories are engaging that many of my collaborators may have volunteered themselves to see that it gets made (and I'm truely humbled), or they are too nice to tell me my stories suck (which I'll be upset as they're not being honest)! Either ways I still love them - after all this industry is about constructive criticism, no?

Just do it, the rest shall fall into place.

On that note, this film, Ramuan Rahasia, is seeking funds to complete.

Rumah Kita "Our House"

2010-12-03T11:03:00.009+08:00

These "Rumah Kita' video advertorials were part of the Community Matters Public Education Media for Community Leader's Forum FPE 2010 by MENDAKI. 9 videos were screened. Participants were encouraged to engage effectively on self-reliant and empowerment following the video screening. Videos are conceptualised and co-produced by MENDAKI/CLF and Cokelat.

Presented here are the 2 videos I directed.

"Air dicincang tidak akan putus"

"Juru Gambar"

Postscript: JALAN lll (final episode)

2010-12-02T03:06:00.004+08:00

This last episode of the third season of JALAN was telecast on Nov 24 @2030hr on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore.

The topic of the day was, "Who is the Malay person?" Tough one.

I enjoyed doing this scene so much I decided to use this as a special teaser for the episode.

End credits 101.

2010-11-25T04:28:00.031+08:00

Dear Majesty,

One of the things I've learnt with that film school diploma, subsequently a media & communications degree, was that credits are only given when one actually DOES SOMETHING for/in a production.

Nonetheless YOUR name HAS been included at the end credits in the first place, your majesty. And NONE of your subordinates would dare to overlook that. Oh no.

Did I miss anything, or could there be a fine print in any of those film school texts that say when a project is good/successful, everybody takes credit - or in your majesty's case, to be acknowledged with queen-like grace?

Subsequently, could you banning me from your castle's gates be another one of your majesty's vendetta against those who does the unthinkable - in my case making that mistake of crowding your name in that single page end credit with mine? But I remembered we collaborated and did put those ideas together, turning the programme to what it was, didn't we?

THAT series went on to become the NUMBER ONE magazine show in the network's HISTORY and it apparently set a BENCHMARK for future shows of that genre ...or so I was told.

Whoah, I would never have dared to take your majesty's crown, the seats would be too high for me to come down and mingle with my fellow peasants.

My humble peasant apologies if my fellow peasants missed your royal majesty's majestic name in the credits and chose to acknowledge us, the peasants instead. After all, end credits go too fast, don't they?

Perhaps in future, we can linger on your majesty's name for 3-5 mins, instead of 3-5 secs in a single credit page. But that would eat into the duration for the programme's ACTUAL content. Would it comfort you if the fonts are made bigger to compensate the too-short duration?

The peasants humbly await to be enlightened. Majulah (Melayu) Singapura!

My viewpoint on local film regulation/censorship.

2010-11-16T16:40:00.008+08:00

[reproduced from SINdie]

"We continue with a series of responses from local filmmakers on the current regulation and/or censorship system in Singapore. This is an ongoing project initiated by a group of students from LASALLE. Discussions and exchange of views are encouraged between members of the public and arts practitioners on the regulatory issue of films in Singapore. View our previous interviews here.

We find out what local filmmaker, Sanif Olek has to say:

1. During the process of making a film, have you ever felt restricted by any regulatory boundaries set by MDA? If yes, in what ways?
Telling stories is an intuitive, instinctive process. I let my stories flow. My work in television trains me a lot about restrictions. Nevertheless, I don't see restrictions as limitations. There are other ways of telling your stories and communicating your ideas effectively. But if one needs to shoot a scene of someone "licking" ice-cream, I'm afraid there are no other ways of presenting someone "licking" the ice-cream, are there?

2. If for artistic purposes, would you make a film which you know might attract censors or cuts but still continue to do it anyway? Why?
I want to tell my stories effectively and avoid sensationalism for the sake of being sensational. I shoot something because there is something that I want to communicate. You can't fool the audience if your film is not sincere. I don't shoot a film on purpose to attract negativity. I think the panel in the censors are getting smarter. There are 6877000000 people in the world who wants to see your film, with or without censors.

3. In the Arts Community Position Paper, it is suggested that regulation should be implemented in place of censorship, as the former involves objective classification that is not politically-motivated. What is your view?
Can you rephrase your question, please? This question is too cheem for my heartland intellect lah.

4. Two of MDA’s guiding principles behind its regulatory work are to uphold community values and to safeguard national and public interest. What is your view?
State whatever they like. Yes we can find all of these in their mission statement.
However, I do agree that Singapore is multiracial and race and religion are very delicate issues. Some adult individuals are mentally-deranged when it comes to these things and still need the government to look after them. *not insulting the intellectually-handicapped here - please stick to context*

5. Have you participated in any discussion programmes or feedback consultations with regards to content regulation initiated by MDA? Would you participate in future? Why?
Was invited but most of the time didn't go because 1. invited at the last minute or 2. couldn't be bothered as most of the time these panels treat these discussions like primary school social class (?) sessions. I got bills to pay (don't we all..?), and that's very important for struggling artistes like myself. Yes would love to come.

6. What do you have to say about the censoring/banning of content in films screened in local theatres which are still obtainable on the Internet?
There's so much the MDA or any censorship bodies can do but ultimately I think PARENTS are still responsible to what their kids watch on the internet. Technology is so advance these days for the parent to utilise to regulate what they want their children to watch.

Thank you SINdie.

An invitation to celebrate LOVE.

2010-10-05T12:28:00.027+08:00

You are invited.

Sanif Olekʼs LOVE Trilogy kicks off the new Sinema Export!. The LOVE trilogy, comprising of the short ﬁlms LOST SOLE, À LA FOLIE and AMEEN, have won numerous awards and screened at numerous international ﬁlm festivals. Director will be in attendance with selected cast. The Q&A session will be moderated by Nicholas Chee, Managing Director – Sinema.

Sinema Export! is a new event programme that will screen award-winning and acclaimed selection of local ﬁlms. All sessions will be followed by a Q&A session.

Sinema Export! Sanif Olekʼs LOVE Trilogy
Tuesday, 12 October 2010, 8pm
Sinema Old School
Admission is FREE, entry by tickets which can be booked from Sinema.sg

The films in Sanif Olekʼs LOVE Trilogy have been independently produced by reeljuice.

1. LOST SOLE | Bawean, Malay, Hokkien | 17mins | PG
Synopsis: Hj Sabtu discovers to his dismay that his slippers have gone missing after Friday noon solat at Kampung Glam. How far can he go without his sole? The search for his slippers leads to self-discovery.

~~~Awards & Selected Screenings~~~
Best Film on Religion, Int'l Festival of Short Films on Culture 2008, Jaipur
Best Narrative Film, Rahmat Int'l Shortﬁlm Festival 2008, Tabriz, Iran
Hawaii International Film Festival, USA
Tehran International Shortfilm Festival, Iran
Open Cinema Festival 2007, St Petersburg, Russia
Rhode Island International Film Festival 2006, USA
Montreal World Film Festival 2006, Canada
New York Museum of Modern Art 2006, USA
San Francisco Int’l Asian American Film Festival, USA
Emirates Film Festival, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Indianapolis International Film Festival, USA
Vancouver Singapore Film Festival, Canada

2. À LA FOLIE (LIKE CRAZY) | English, Malay | 12mins | M18
Synopsis: Set on Serangoon Road in Singapore's "Little India" quarter, the mythical characters of Sinta, Arjuna and Rawana from the classic Ramayana text are reincarnated in this present-day postmodern, rock-and-roll remix.

~~~Award & Selected Screenings~~~
Best Short Film, 4th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2009, Indonesia
27th San Francisco Int’l Asian American Film Festival (USA, World Premiere)
25th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (USA)
32nd New York Asian American Int’l Film Festival (USA)
32nd Montreal World Film Festival (Canada)
5th Singapore Short Film Festival
29th Hawaii Int’l Film Festival (USA)
11th Jakarta International Film Festival (Indonesia)

3. AMEEN | Malay, Arabic | 14mins | NC16
Synopsis: Johan is infatuated with Yati and Sharifa, two girls from the Islamic Madrasah school. What exactly does Johan have up his sleeves in order to get the girlsʼ attention?"

AMEEN آمين is defined as a supplication or prayer asking for God’s help. “O Allah, respond to (or answer) what we have said”. (Source: Islamic – Dictionary.com)

~~~ International Film Festivals ~~~
26th Los Angeles Asian Paciﬁc Film Festival 2010, USA (World premiere)
34th Montreal World Film Festival 2010, Canada
30th Hawaii International Film Festival 2010, USA

Thank you, Sinema + Singapore Polytechnic + Singapore Malay Film Society.

*UPDATE* Read the screening review here.

AMEEN premieres in Singapore

2010-09-20T19:22:00.009+08:00

The film, AMEEN, finally premieres in Singapore.
Date: September 28 2010.
Event: Sinema Showoff!
Time: 7.30pm
Admission is free by tickets.

AMEEN is an official selection @
26th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (USA, World Premiere, 2010)
34th Montreal World Film Festival (Canada, 2010)
30th Hawaii International Film Festival (USA, 2010)

Director’s Statement
As a child, I attended six years of Islamic madrasah school while concurrently attending secular education at a public primary school. Subsequently, I attended secondary education at a Methodist missionary school.

With this diverse education, I feel blessed that I had the privilege not many boys at that age could experience. I remember that in all these institutions, a consistent education persisted – to love a fellow human being and accept one another unconditionally. Nevertheless I often pondered if sexuality and spiritually can co-exist while watching the lovely Ustazahs (female Islamic teacher) preach from the Quran and listening to the melodic hymns during weekly chapel services.

NOTE: The LOVE Trilogy of LOST SOLE, À LA FOLIE (LIKE CRAZY) & AMEEN will be screened at a Special Session on Tuesday, 12 October.

International screenings in September 2010

2010-08-27T02:57:00.007+08:00

AMEEN
Event: 34th Montreal World Film Festival ❛le Festival des Films du Monde❜
Date: September 2, 3
Link to website here.

LOST SOLE
Event: 3rd Vancouver Singapore Film Festival
Date: September 17
Link to website here.

Thank you so much for the love and support.

An icing on the cake.

2010-08-19T23:08:00.004+08:00

Just sharing...

The drama, "1988...Segaris Sinar", about the lives of seven bosom friends who grew up together in an orphanage, received two thumbs up from the Committee as it was a good example of creative story-telling. The MPAC lauded the producer’s efforts to incorporate history into the drama as it looked at how the orphanage, which was set in the 80s, shaped the children’s upbringing and their individual perspectives that subsequently impacted the decisions and choices they made as adults. The drama was found to be well-produced, with good chemistry between the actors and smooth transitions between scenes and plots. In addition, the drama conveyed good moral values such as standing up for oneself and maintained a high standard of Bahasa Melayu.

The Malay Programmes Advisory Committee (MPAC) report, 2008/2010.

1988... Segaris Sinar "Constellations" was conceptualised by reeljuice. A production of Shortman Films, the drama series was directed by Sanif Olek.

Thank you for the love and support. Keep watching television :)

Politically correct

2010-07-07T03:22:00.038+08:00

Nationality: Singaporean
Ethnicity: Baweanese-Malay
Religious affiliation: Islam
Full-time National Service: (1989)1991-1993|1st Company|1st Commando Battalion|SAF

I'm shocked and angered upon reading this article. I'm shocked how an individual can be so naive about jihad. More importantly am angered because another blacksheep has jeopardised my freedom as a Singaporean. How much more marginalised do we have to be? Would my family and friends be subjected to further scrutiny because of this?

Don’t let my pictures fool you. I was one of only two Malay boys enlisted to the exclusive 1st Commando Battalion unit that year among hundreds of Malays my age. It has been that way annually eversince, last I heard. Why this (under)representation? Read your politics.

Islam and all other religions are meant to be a spiritual aslyum to all human beings, not to be used as a weapon against one another. All religions are good in their own way. Please do not let Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid's case affect your judgement on the rest of Muslims.

Majulah Singapura!

*1989 ratio of Malay to non-Malay recruits 1:150.
1993 ratio of Malay to non-Malays during ORD 1:60.
Both of us ORD together, bodies intact.
The Commandos adhere to SAF safety regulations at all times ;)

Spotted during "Bulan Bahasa Melayu 2010"

2010-07-06T18:22:00.009+08:00

Spotted @ Boon Lay Bus Interchange, Singapore, during "Bulan Bahasa Melayu 2010"

Which Malay universe does the copywriter for this fancy Malay tagline come from?

Maaf, saya tidak faham lah.
(click on photo to magnify)

A moving letter in support of Ramuan Rahasia.

2010-06-18T19:49:00.016+08:00

I'd like to share this which came to my inbox a few days ago. Gestures such as this pushes me on to keep going in this journey.

Dear Sanif

My name is SX and I recently came across news articles about you making our country's first Malay language feature film in 4 decades. As a young Chinese Singaporean who is just about to learn to make sense of his place in this society, I began to realise the importance of reconciling the Malay roots of this country. Your film is very important not only to the Malay community but the rest of Singapore too, who are in a process of questioning and creating our identity, faced with rapid globalisation and the influx of immigrants into our country.

I recently graduated from school, reading Communication Studies in university and was thus exposed to the history of our film industry, which had a vibrant and thriving Malay film industry, something which my parents said they fondly remember. Your Malay-language film may not be similar to films from the Cathay-Keris period but it will bring back sentiments of the older days.

As such, I would like to support by pledging a sum of $50 to support your film. As a fresh graduate, I don't have much resources to offer but the gesture my little amount would be a great honour and opportunity for me to do something meaningful for the film community and for Singapore. Do let me know how I can transfer the money to you.

All the best to the making of Ramuan Rahasa!

A gesture with a big heart. I am moved and truly humbled. Thank you SX, you have given me another reason why I NEED to complete this film.

[NOTE: Ramuan Rahasia needs S$350K to shoot & post-production]

Radio interview @ Bfm 89.9 [Kuala Lumpur]

2010-05-30T20:52:00.005+08:00

Bfm (Business 89.9fm) is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Listen to the interview here.

Ramuan Rahasia article in Utusan Malaysia

2010-05-20T01:58:00.001+08:00

Read all about it here, published originally by Malaysia's Utusan Malaysia "Malaysian Courier" on May 19 2010. Utusan Malaysia is the number one selling Malay-language daily in Malaysia.

Tidak mahu berhenti berharap

Oleh SHAZRYN MOHD. FAIZAL
shazryn.faizal@utusan.com.my

BIARPUN masih baru dalam bidang pengarahan filem, hakikatnya pengalaman yang diraih lebih sedekad dalam bidang penerbitan televisyen di Singapura tidak boleh dipertikaikan.

Bukan sekadar dikenali dalam dunia televisyen tetapi, Sanif Olek juga cemerlang sebagai pengarah filem pendek.

Buktinya, tiga filem pendeknya yang dirangkumkan dalam trilogi LOVE iaitu Lost Sole, A La Folie dan Ameen kesemuanya sudah menjelajah dunia serta menerima pelbagai pengiktirafan dan mendapat pujian ramai pihak.

Berbekalkan pengalamannya itulah, akhirnya Sanif memberanikan diri untuk mengorak langkah sebagai pengarah filem cereka pula.

Menggunakan judul Ramuan Rahasia, Sanif meletakkan harapan yang cukup tinggi untuk filem cereka pertama yang diterbitkan oleh syarikatnya, Reeljuice itu apabila ditayangkan.

Sementelah, Ramuan Rahasia juga merupakan filem Melayu dari Singapura yang pertama selepas empat dekad republik itu tidak menghasilkan filem Melayu selepas era Cathay Keris dan Shaw Brothers.

Memang Sanif atau nama sebenarnya Mohamad Sanif Olek mahu melihat filemnya itu mencapai kejayaan yang mampu meletakkan kembali nama Singapura di peta perfileman nusantara khususnya.

Malah, dia begitu optimis dengan jalan ceritanya yang begitu kemelayuan dan mampu menarik perhatian ramai untuk menontonnya kelak.

Namun, sinar yang diharap akan terus menerangi jalannya itu nampaknya semakin ditelan kabus apabila penggambaran filem tersebut kini tergendala seketika.

Semuanya kerana faktor kewangan yang membantutkan seketika proses penggambaran yang kini sudah pun siap 65 peratus.

"Bukan mahu mendabik dada tetapi saya begitu yakin dan percaya dengan kemampuan filem ini yang dapat pergi jauh.

"Malah, saya juga berazam untuk membawa filem ini ke serata dunia menerusi festival filem antarabangsa yang pernah saya sertai sebelum ini.

"Kerana itu, saya mahu mencari dan menemui mana-mana pihak yang sudi untuk membantu saya dari segi dana bagi meneruskan projek filem ini," katanya penuh jujur dalam satu pertemuan bersama Hits di ibu negara, baru-baru ini.

Demi cinta dan minatnya yang begitu mendalam terhadap filem, Sanif langsung tidak lokek untuk mengeluarkan dana dari poket sendiri iaitu $350,000 dolar Singapura (RM850,000) untuk menyiapkan sebahagian filem itu.

Jika semua berjalan lancar dan ada pihak yang sudi menaja serta membiayai projek filem Ramuan Rahasia dalam waktu terdekat ini, Sanif akan meneruskan penggambaran filem tersebut dengan secepat mungkin.

"Apa yang saya lakukan ini bukan untuk diri saya sendiri tetapi juga untuk mengembalikan semula kegemilangan industri perfileman Melayu Singapura.

"Saya menerbitkan dan mengarahkan filem ini juga bukan kerana faktor kenegaraan tetapi atas nama kesatuan Melayu Nusantara.

"Bagi saya, budaya Melayu memang sesuatu yang cukup unik dan apabila ditonjolkan dalam medium filem, ia mampu menarik perhatian ramai khususnya masyarakat dunia untuk menontonnya.

"Setidak-tidaknya, kita memiliki sesuatu yang mampu membuka mata mereka dalam menonjolkan keunikan budaya Melayu itu sendiri," tuturnya penuh merendah diri yang turut menulis lakon layar Ramuan Rahasia bersama temannya, Gene Sha Rudyn.

Pada pertemuan itu, Sanif sempat mempertontonkan sedutan filem Ramuan Rahasia kepada Hits dan apa yang boleh dikatakan, ia cukup mengagumkan.

Bukan sengaja memuji melangit, tetapi melihat hasil kerja Sanif menerusi filem itu memang sewajarnya dipuji.

Ramuan Rahasia bukan sekadar terletak kepada kekuatan jalan ceritanya yang mengetengahkan tentang kasih sayang, cinta dan kekeluargaan.

Tetapi, ia juga cemerlang dari aspek teknikal khususnya sinematografi yang dipersembahkan dengan cukup indah.

Menyambung bicara, Sanif tidak mahu audiens menonton Ramuan Rahasia sebagai tontonan untuk hiburan semata-mata.

Sebaliknya, dia mahu penonton menyelami intipati filem tersebut yang dapat menghubungkan diri mereka dengan perjalanan cerita itu.

"Filem ini sememangnya begitu tebal dengan jiwa Melayunya dari segala aspek dan kerana itu, saya mengetengahkan masakan sambal goreng sebagai subjek utama Ramuan Rahasia.

"Memang sengaja saya pilih sambal goreng kerana ia begitu dekat dengan masyarakat Melayu dan uniknya, berlainan negara, berbeza jugalah cara masakannya.

"Sambal goreng dijadikan sebagai metafora dalam filem ini dalam menyatukan kembali hubungan antara seorang ayah dan anak selepas perginya orang yang tersayang dalam hidup mereka," cerita graduan Jabatan Filem, Bunyi dan Video, Politeknik Ngee Ann di Singapura pada tahun 1996 ini lagi.

Selain itu juga, Sanif menyelitkan beberapa buah lagu klasik popular di kalangan masyarakat Melayu seperti Si Jali Jali, Pesan Kakek dan Sayang Di Sayang bagi memperindahkan lagi filem Ramuan Rahasia.

Mengambil makanan sebagai tema dalam sesebuah filem, hakikatnya bukanlah sesuatu yang asing kerana sebelum ini pun ada pembikin filem antarabangsa yang sudah berbuat demikian.

Antaranya adalah filem Eat Drink Man Woman arahan Ang Lee, Chocolat (Lasse Hallström), Babette's Feast (Gabriel Axel) dan Like Water For Chocolate (Alfonso Arau).

Filem Ramuan Rahasia dimantapkan lagi barisan pelakonnya yang bukan calang-calang dan kerana itu jugalah, Sanif begitu teruja sekali gus berbangga mengarahkan filem ini.

Menerajui filem ini ialah seniman handalan tanah air, Datuk Rahim Razali yang memainkan watak Pak Harun.

Selain itu, beberapa nama hebat dari Singapura yang turut menerajui filem tersebut ialah Aidli 'Alin' Mosbit yang memegang watak sebagai Murni, Rafaat Hamzah (Rosli) dan Keagan Kang (Dave).

Malah, aktor kacak popular, Aaron Aziz juga berlakon dalam filem ini sebagai pelakon pembantu.

Sambil menghela nafas panjang, dia tidak pernah menyangka filem pertamanya itu dibintangi oleh barisan pelakon hebat dan mantap terutama sekali Rahim.

"Tidak pernah saya menyangka untuk seorang aktor ternama seperti Rahim mahu berlakon dalam filem arahan pengarah baru seperti saya.

"Rahim memberitahu saya, dia tertarik untuk berlakon dalam filem ini adalah kerana skrip dan jalan ceritanya.

"Saya cukup hormat dan menggemari lakonan serta hasil karyanya sejak dari filem Abang lagi. Dia sendiri sebelum ini ada menghubungi saya bertanyakan tentang perkembangan filem ini.

"Saya cuma berkata kepadanya kalau sudah ada bajet yang mencukupi, penggambaran akan diteruskan dan dia akan sabar menanti untuk melunaskan tanggungjawabnya," jelas Sanif yang turut memilih Australia sebagai lokasi filem ini selain Singapura.

Thank you Shazryn for the wonderful article.

Ramuan Rahasia in The Star

2010-04-28T14:33:00.002+08:00

Read all about it here, published originally by Malaysia's The Star on April 28 2010. The Star is the leading English-language tabloid format newspaper in Malaysia. This article is also published in Sinema Malaysia.

Sanif side up
By RIZAL JOHAN

This director is fast gaining attention as the man who’s giving Singapore its first Malay feature film in almost four decades.

HE is an award-winning freelance television director and producer with over 10 years’ experience working in Singapore. Sanif Olek, however, is also a filmmaker at heart and the work he has done outside of the mainstream in Singapore has his countrymen and international film festivals rather excited.

Sanif has only three short films under his belt – Lost Sole, A La Folie and Ameen – known collectively as the Love Trilogy. Even though it is a small, sporadic body of work (the three films were made over a period of five years), his stories have a unique voice and point of view that put the Singaporean on the fast track to becoming a filmmaker to look out for.

His upcoming project may be his most notable yet. Not only is it his first feature-length film, Ramuan Rahasia (The Secret Ingredient) –which is still in the works – is significantly the first Malay-language feature to emerge from the island republic after almost 40 years.

In an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently, Sanif recounted his forays into filmmaking. “After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 1996, I went straight into television, working in a production house for two years before going on to freelance TV production. Back in the mid-1990s, there was no proper structure if you wanted to go into film (in Singapore). You had people like Eric Khoo whom I consider to be a pioneer in independent filmmaking but for the rest of us, it’s pretty much like being in limbo. So it took me 10 years to do my first short film,” recalled the 40-year-old.

Sanif, however, wasn’t just bidding his time before he could break out and make his own films. Being in the TV industry for as long as he has made Sanif aware of the kind of stories that were being told on a regular basis on mainstream television and how much he wanted to tell his own.

“Ten years as a producer and director doing commercial television gave me a good grounding because I could see what I really wanted to do – to tell stories ... preferably real stories. And that’s what I couldn’t do in television but I did in my short films,” he said.

The language of love

For his first short film, Lost Sole, Sanif looked inwardly for inspiration and remembered what happened to his father who had walked home barefoot from prayers after his slippers were stolen.

“I was eight then and I still remember clearly the day my dad came home without his slippers and my mum asked him what had happened. He told her they got stolen while he was praying. And she said: ‘So why didn’t you steal someone else’s?’ And my dad was like, ‘Look, I’m going there to pray, to redeem myself. So what’s the point if I end up stealing?’” Sanif laughed.

Spirituality and love are the main themes behind all of Sanif’s short films but so are language and identity. Sanif, of Boyanese heritage, wrote Lost Sole with characters speaking either Boyanese Malay or Hokkien. (The Boyanese hailed from Pulau Bawean, or Boyan, an island north of Surabaya, Indonesia, in the Java Sea.)

“Bahasa Melayu Baku is the medium used in Singapore. My ethnicity is Boyanese and I just found that using Bahasa Boyan was more expressive than Bahasa Baku. I also didn’t use Mandarin (another main medium) but Hokkien instead,” Sanif explained.

Besides language, there is also a restriction on the portrayal of religion in film and television in Singapore. Such constraints were just some of the hindrances that Sanif faced working in the mainstream. The other was a strict adherence to structure.

“Coming from a commercial background, everything was very structured. When I made my second short film (A La Folie), I had a concept but no script. I got two of my actor friends together and we shot it in two nights in Little India, Serangoon Road,” he said.

With a mix of abandon and creative desire, Sanif and crew whipped up a story based on the classic Hindu text The Ramayana and produced a story on “revenge, reconciliation and love”.

“The are many facets of love ... love of family, spouse, religion, etc, but in the English language it’s just known as love,” said Sanif.

With his third short Ameen, Sanif focused on “spiritual love” and the perception people have of each other.

“The inspiration behind this short is based on some of my ‘colourful’ friends. Some of them have tattoos and some have been in jail but are now reformed. But they still find it difficult to get a job or get married. So what I’m trying to say is ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ and really, who are we to judge people simply because they have tattoos.”

By employing such universal themes as love in his films, Sanif has proven that his stories can cross borders, cultures and languages. His short films have travelled international film fests in Hawaii, San Francisco and New York in the United States, St Petersburg (Russia), Montreal (Canada) and Tehran (Iran).

A La Folie won best short film at the 2009 Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, Indonesia, and Lost Sole was bestowed best film on religion at the 2008 International Festival of Short Films on Culture, Jaipur (India), and best narrative film at the 2008 Rahmat International Short Film Festival, Tabriz (Iran).

More importantly though, this local boy has struck a chord with his audiences at home who can relate to his stories. And Sanif also recognises the fact that growing up and working in the Singaporean TV industry has helped shape the filmmaker he is today.

He is, however, finding it difficult to get Ramuan Rahasia off the ground. One of the main problems he faces is funding (at the time of the interview, Sanif said he had secured about 65% of the financing) and the other is the film’s commercial viability.

The film centres around an elderly, wheelchair-bound man, played by veteran Malaysian actor Datuk Rahim Razali, who lives a lonely existence tended to only by a maid. The old man complains about the maid’s cooking and tries to get rid of her but it is through the maid and the food she cooks that she reconciles the old man and his son.

The film’s other stars include Aaron Aziz, Rafaat Hamzah, Aidli Mosbit and Keagan Kang.

It is indeed a hard sell for a film which features a wheelchair-bound geriatric, so what made Sanif want to make such a film?

“It’s quite common in Singapore for people to hire maids to look after their elderly parents. I wanted to tell a story about kasih sayang (love) and how to bring people together,” he noted.

The project has already received a lot of news coverage because of it being a Malay-language movie from Singapore after a near-40-year gap (the last, Satu Titik Di-Garisan by Cathay-Keris Film Production, appeared in 1973).

“I’ve kept the project under wraps and I don’t know how it got all over the news. It got a lot of people excited and they kept asking me when it’ll be done and initially, I tried to hide the fact that I didn’t have enough money to make the film. But after a while I got tired of it and told them, ‘I don’t have the money to make the film,’” smiled Sanif.

When asked whether he could get funding through the government, the director said: “Yes, you can through the Singapore Film Commission but its focus is to make commercial films. And there are guidelines that you have to follow once funding is approved. Doing a Malay film ... it simply hasn’t been tested in the Singapore market. There has been no Malay film for almost the last 40 years.

“I see this as a challenge though, and I’m convinced that a Malay film can make money. I have well-known actors from Malaysia and Singapore. I believe I have the right ingredients to make a commercial film.”

Thank you Rizal for the great write-up.

Ramuan Rahasia in Berita Harian

2010-04-28T00:54:00.005+08:00

Read all about it here, published originally by Malaysia's Berita Harian on April 27 2010. Berita Harian is Malaysia's largest Malay newspaper - covering all of Peninsula Malaysia and Sabah & Sarawak in Borneo.

Sanif cari dana filem Ramuan Rahasia
Oleh Zaidi Mohamad
zaidim@bharian.com.my
2010/04/27

SANIF Olek atau nama sebenarnya Mohamad Sanif Olek memang terlalu asing di Malaysia. Bagaimanapun, di negara jiran yang juga tempat kelahirannya di Singapura, namanya tidak perlu lagi diperkenalkan. Sanif membina label namanya dalam pengarahan, penerbitan dan pencetus konsep kandungan TV di sana.

Tidak terbatas hanya untuk drama TV, lelaki berusia 40 tahun ini turut memberi variasi kepada penerbitan rancangan berbentuk majalah. Kerjasamanya dengan agensi serta produksi popular di Singapura juga mula mengukuhkan kelangsungan bakatnya.

Graduan sekolah filem Singapura, Jabatan Filem, Bunyi dan Video dari Politeknik Ngee Ann sekitar 1996 ini juga sudah mula berjinak-jinak menerbitkan filem pendek. Tiga karya trilogi cintanya berjudul Lost Sole, A La Folie dan Ameen antara bukti betapa dia mahu melampiaskan bakatnya terhadap medium filem.

Sanif juga bakal mencipta sejarah tersendiri dalam usaha mengembalikan kegemilangan filem Melayu di Jalan Ampas, Singapura termasuk pembabitan produksi Cathay Keris Films dan Shaw Brothers. Selepas lebih empat dekad, Sanif meletakkan harapan yang tinggi kepada buah tangan terbarunya sebuah filem cereka berjudul Ramuan Rahasia.

“Skrip dan konsep filem ini dihasilkan sejak 2001 lagi dan akibat masalah tertentu termasuk soal mencari dana dan penaja, penggambaran filem ini hanya direalisasikan sejak Februari tahun lalu. Bagaimanapun, usaha saya menamatkannya masih tersekat kerana kekurangan dana.

“Setakat ini boleh dikatakan baru 65 peratus siap dan selebihnya masih tergendala buat seketika. Tak saya nafikan memang sukar mencari penaja. Di Singapura sendiri, usaha mendapatkan penajaan sendiri berakhir dengan kekecewaan kerana ada yang masih belum yakin dengan komersial filem Melayu.

“Tetapi saya masih bersyukur media di sana termasuk masyarakat menghargai apa yang saya lakukan. Malah, saya berbangga Cathay Keris Films akan menjadi pengedar,” katanya dalam satu pertemuan di Kuala Lumpur baru-baru ini.
Menurut graduan ijazah sarjana muda bidang media dari University Murdoch, Perth, Australia ini lagi, dia masih mengalu-alukan kehadiran pihak penaja untuk memastikan apa yang dirancangnya membuahkan hasil. Sesiapa yang berminat untuk menyalurkan dana atau bekerjasama dengannya boleh e-melkan ke sanif@reeljuice.net.

“Saya tidak mahu inisiatif ini berakhir dengan kehampaan kerana terlalu lama saya menunggu untuk memastikan ia menjadi kenyataan. Sebelum ini bukan saya hanya mahu fokus kepada TV semata-mata, cuma ruang, peluang dan faktor masa itu agak mencemburui.

“Dengan pengalaman yang saya timba di TV termasuk menghasilkan filem pendek, ia menjadi azimat berguna untuk saya terus bermuhasabah diri. Kesilapan itu pasti ada dan ia menjadi suntikan semangat untuk saya terus belajar memperbaiki kelemahan yang ada dan kumpulkan semangat baru bagi menghasilkan filem pula,” katanya sambil memberitahu kos keseluruhan menghasilkan filem Ramuan Rahasia hampir mencecah RM1 juta.

Ditanya lanjut mengenai filem sulungnya yang berdurasi 90 minit itu, Sanif memberitahu ia menggunakan dwibahasa, Melayu dan Inggeris. Paling penting, Sanif mengangkat simbolik kepada makanan popular masyarakat Melayu iaitu sambal goreng di samping memainkan 10 lagu Melayu popular.

Antara lagu yang dimainkan ialah Si Jali-Jali, Sayang Di Sayang dan Pesan Kakek. Filem ini dilakonkan pelakon hebat Malaysia, Datuk Rahim Razali dan pelakon Singapura yang melebarkan sayapnya di Malaysia seperti Aaron Aziz Rafaat Hamzah, Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit dan Keagan Kang.

“Sebelum sambal goreng, saya berdepan dengan dilema sama ada mahu mengetengahkan nasi lemak yang popular di kalangan pelbagai lapisan masyarakat. Akhirnya sambal goreng juga yang bertuah kerana terpilih. Insya-Allah, selain Singapura, saya tengah berusaha untuk memastikan ia ditayangkan di Malaysia dan Indonesia.

“Filem ini sebenarnya menjadikan faktor makanan itu sebagai metafora atau perlambangan dalam mengungkap erti pahit manis dalam kehidupan. Ia juga akan memaparkan aspek unik dalam budaya dan warisan Melayu serta orang Muslim kepada dunia. Pertembungan pegangan budaya tradisi dan moden juga diperlihatkan,” katanya.

INFO: Sanif Olek
•Memulakan pengajiannya di sekolah filem Singapura, Jabatan Filem, Bunyi dan Video dari Politeknik Ngee Ann, Singapura pada 1993 dan tamat tiga tahun selepas itu.
•Masih solo.
•Sudah 15 tahun membabitkan diri dalam medium TV
•Hanya selepas 10 tahun di TV baru memberanikan diri untuk menghasilkan filem pendek
•Pernah merangkul beberapa anugerah sebagai pencipta kandungan dan pengarah TV contohnya Anugerah Siri Drama Terbaik dan Pengarah Terbaik untuk drama Segaris Sinar.
•Filem pendek Lost Sole ditayangkan di lebih 30 festival filem antarabangsa termasuk di Hawaii, San Fransisco, New York dan Tehran.
•Turut bergelar pengarah sambilan di Jabatan Filem dan Media, Politeknik Ngee Ann.
•Layari laman sesawang, reeljuice.net untuk maklumat lanjut.

Thank you Zaidi for the wonderful article.

Ramuan Rahasia article in Harian Metro

2010-04-22T00:33:00.006+08:00

Read all about it here, published originally by Malaysia's Harian Metro on April 21 2010. Harian Metro is Malaysia's highest-circulating Malay-language newspaper, and is read largely by Malay urban dwellers.

USAHA PULIH JATI DIRI MELAYU SINGAPURA.

NAMA Mohd Sanif Olek, 40, mungkin masih asing kepada kita. Bagaimanapun, di tanah kelahirannya di Singapura, Sanif antara karyawan seni yang aktif di belakang tabir dunia penerbitan drama, majalah dan iklan komersial. Tiga filem pendek terbitan dan arahannya, Lost Sole, A la folie dan Ameen pernah mendapat pengiktirafan antarabangsa.

Lulusan filem dari Jabatan Filem, Bunyi dan Video, Politeknik Ngee Ann, Singapura dan pemegang Ijazah Sarjana Muda Media dari Universiti Murdoch, Perth, Australia ini mempunyai cita-cita besar untuk mengembalikan kemasyhuran kegemilangan filem Melayu di Singapura.

Ia bukan sekadar omongan kosong kerana atas daya usaha sendiri, Sanif kini menerbitkan filem sulungnya berjudul Ramuan Rahasia. Ia filem yang mengetengahkan identiti diri orang Melayu dengan mengetengahkan sambal goreng yang menjadi makanan kegemaran harian masyarakat Melayu sebagai tema.

Filem itu lakonan Datuk Rahim Razali, Adlin Mosbit, Rafaat Hamzah, Keagan Kang, Aaron Aziz, Shah Iskandar, Asnida Daud, Marina Yusoff dan Nurul Aini.

Ramuan Rahasia adalah filem Melayu pertama selepas empat dekad sejak era kegemilangan Cathay Keris dan Shaw Brothers berakhir.

Meskipun kekurangan modal, Sanif berani terbitkan juga filem itu kerana seseorang perlu memulakan sesuatu.

Dalam pertemuan dengan Wartawan Hiburan Harian Metro, NOR AKMAR SAMUDIN, di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini, Sanif dengan rendah hati beritahu dia mohon pembiayaan untuk menyiapkan Ramuan Rahasia. Ia baru 65 peratus siap dan masih perlukan dana.

Selama 15 tahun terbabit dalam bidang penerbitan, Sanif sudah menerima pelbagai anugerah di Singapura dan peringkat antarabangsa.

Antaranya, Pengarah Terbaik Drama Bersiri (1988, Segaris Sinar), Siri Info-ad Terbaik (Mentari, siri 1 & 2), Info-Majalah Terbaik/Siri Gayahidup (So Lazat), Pengarah Drama Terbaik (Kaki Borak), Siri Kebudayaan Terbaik (Semarak Budaya), Filem Pendek Terbaik (A la folie), Jogja-NETPAC Asian Filem Festival (Indonesia), Filem Terbaik Agama (Lost Sole), Festival Filem Pendek Kebudayaan (Jaipur, India), Filem Naratif Terbaik (Lost Sole) dan Festival Filem Pendek Antarabangsa Rahmat (Iran).

RAP: Kenapa selepas 40 tahun baru filem Melayu hidup semula di Singapura?

SANIF: Selepas berakhirnya era Cathay Keris dan Shaw Brothers di Singapura pada awal 1960-an, maka lenyaplah juga kegemilangan filem Melayu di pulau itu. Studio Jalan Ampas hanya jadi kenangan. Kini selepas 40 tahun berlalu sebagai seorang yang mencintai kesenian bangsa, saya terpanggil untuk menerbitkan filem Melayu dengan mengekalkan budaya dan adat resam orang Melayu Singapura.

Bukan senang hendak menerbitkan filem Melayu di Singapura kerana apabila saya berjumpa dengan pihak tertentu untuk mendapatkan sokongan mereka menganggap filem Melayu tiada nilai komersial. Mereka tidak tahu hendak melabelkan atau meletakkan filem Melayu itu dalam kategori apa dan di mana. Oleh itu saya perlu berusaha sendiri dengan mengumpul modal kerana tidak mahu jati diri orang Melayu Singapura turut terkubur sama.

Saya menerbitkan filem Ramuan Rahasia ini untuk memberi penghormatan kepada filem Melayu lama yang melahirkan pengarah filem legenda seperti Allahyarham Tan Sri P Ramlee, Hussin Haniff dan M Amin. Mereka ini banyak meninggalkan kenangan yang mengusik jiwa dan memori indah dalam kalangan penonton.

Skrip dan konsep filem ini sudah siap pada 2001 dan apabila saya beritahu hasrat membuat filem ini, masyarakat Melayu di sana memberikan sokongan kerana mereka juga teringin hendak menonton filem Melayu Singapura selepas sekian lama tiada yang berani menerbitkannya.

Dengan adanya filem ini juga saya berharap orang Melayu Singapura dapat memartabatkan semula budaya Melayu yang kian terhapus. Orang Melayu Singapura terutama golongan muda sudah hilang jati diri. Apabila saya berbual dengan orang luar, mereka kata sukar hendak kenal Melayu Singapura.

Syarikat penerbitan di sana lebih aktif menerbitkan drama untuk TV dan juga menghasilkan program hiburan. Ini kerana ia tidak memerlukan belanja yang besar dan lebih komersial.

RAP: Selepas 40 tahun tiada filem Melayu di Singapura anda tentu kena pastikan ia produk terbaik. Jadi apa istimewanya filem ini?

SANIF: Sudah tentu Ramuan Rahasia karya terbaik saya. Ia kisah menyayat hati mengenai cinta dalam keluarga dan hubungan kasih sayang antara generasi yang berbeza. Hubungan itu direnggangkan lagi oleh kongkongan emosi. Ilham saya datang selepas menonton filem Eat Drink Man Woman oleh Ang Lee, Chocolat, Babette's Feast dan Like Water For Chocolate. Semua cerita itu mengangkat makanan sebagai tema utama kerana daripada makanan kita boleh mengenali bangsa dan budayanya. Apabila sebut lemang orang tahu ia makanan kegemaran orang Perak dan lontong pula menjadi kesukaan orang Johor.

Jadi dalam filem ini saya ketengahkan sajian sambal goreng. Semua orang boleh menyediakan hidangan itu, tetapi mungkin yang membezakannya ramuan digunakan. Hidangan istimewa ini diketengahkan bagi memaparkan bentuk subteks yang terkandung dalam budaya Melayu yang kerap menghidangkan sambal goreng sebagai makanan harian.

Filem ini juga disulami banyak lagu klasik seperti Si Jali-Jali, Pesan Kakek dan Sayang Di Sayang untuk meletakkan filem ini dalam konteks budaya di rantau ini. Ragam ini dinyanyikan sendiri oleh watak utama filem ini.

RAP: Elemen lain terdapat dalam filem itu?

SANIF: Ramuan Rahasia juga memaparkan keunikan budaya dan warisan Melayu atau Muslim kepada dunia. Kebanyakannya daripada amalan yang lazim dilakukan oleh masyarakat Nusantara. Semua elemen itu disatukan dalam konteks Singapura moden. Misalnya babak memaparkan perkahwinan Melayu yang memperlihatkan pertembungan budaya Melayu kontemporari dan tradisi.

RAP: Ringkasan cerita Ramuan Rahasia?

SANIF: Murni seorang jururawat dan pembantu rumah dari Aceh yang bekerja dengan Pak Harun, seorang lelaki tua berkerusi roda yang dirundung kesepian. Murni dalam dilema untuk memasak hidangan sambal goreng yang sedap seperti masakan arwah isteri Pak Harun. Sikap Murni yang suka menyanyi di dapur juga membuatkan Pak Harun bertambah sakit hati.

Lalu Murni berusaha mencari ramuan rahsia yang membuatkan sambal gorengnya sedap. Apakah ramuan rahsia itu yang mampu meredakan ketegangan antara Murni dan Pak Harun serta menyatukan semula Pak Harun dengan anaknya, Rosli yang kini menetap di Sydney? Mampukan ramuan rahsia itu mengubati jiwa yang luka dan menyatukan mereka kembali untuk mengalunkan irama lagu yang sama? Itulah yang mahu saya paparkan.

RAP: Yakin filem ini akan mendapat sambutan?

SANIF: Saya yakin kerana penonton Melayu Singapura sudah lama teringin hendak menonton filem Melayu yang diterbitkan orang Singapura sendiri.

RAP: Barangkali ramai yang tidak kenal siapa Sanif? Ceritakan latar diri anda.

SANIF: Saya berpengalaman dalam bidang penerbitan drama, majalah dan pengiklanan. Saya mempunyai kelulusan daripada Jabatan Filem, Bunyi dan Video dari Politeknik Ngee Ann (1996), Singapura. Pada 2001 saya melanjutkan pengajian perfileman di Sekolah Media, Komunikasi dan Budaya di Universiti Murdoch, Perth, Australia dan mendapat ijazah sarjana muda dalam Media.

Tamat belajar, saya terus terbabit dalam bidang penerbitan televisyen dengan menjadi pengarah dan penerbit sambilan . Ada juga bertanya cukup makankah dengan kerja yang saya buat? Saya tidak ambil hati dengan soalan itu kerana tahu apa yang saya buat dan ia adalah minat saja sejak remaja. Selepas 10 tahun menimba pengalaman dalam bidang penerbitan, drama, iklan dan majalah saya terbitkan tiga filem pendek, Lost Sole, A la folie dan Ameen.

Saya dapat ilham menerbitkan filem pendek Lost Sole berdasarkan cerita bapa saya sendiri yang kehilangan kasut di masjid. Kejadian itu berlaku ketika saya masih kecil. Filem pendek itu mendapat pelbagai penghargaan antarabangsa dan dipilih secara rasmi dan ditayangkan di lebih 30 festival filem antarabangsa termasuk di Hawaii, San Francisco, New York, St Petersburg, Montreal dan Tehran.

Lost Sole sudah lapan kali dipertandingkan pada festival filem itu dan berjaya meraih dua anugerah filem. Lost Sole juga pernah ditayangkan di Museum of Modern Art, New York. Dalam diam tak diam sudah 15 tahun saya terbabit dalam bidang penerbitan ini.

RAP: Harapan anda terhadap filem Melayu di Singapura?

SANIF: Saya harap ada pihak yang sudi membantu usaha saya untuk mengembalikan semula kegemilangan filem Melayu di Singapura. Dengan adanya filem Melayu ini diharap dapat membantu golongan muda di sana mengenali asal- usul mereka. Saya berazam dalam setiap filem terbitan saya akan diselitkan budaya Melayu kerana sekarang identiti diri orang Melayu Singapura semakin terhakis.

Thank you Nor Akmar for the wonderful article.

NOTE: This film is still incomplete and appeals for funds/donations to finish the remaining 35% of shoot.

Ramuan Rahasia article in New Straits Times

2010-04-21T09:42:00.009+08:00

Read all about it here, published originally by Malaysia's New Straits Times on April 21 2010. New Straits Times is read by leaders and thinkers.

Sanif finds his missing ingredient
2010/04/20
HIZREEN KAMAL
hizreen@nst.com.my

A lone Malay film from Singapore after 40 year prompts HIZREEN KAMAL to write about the man behind the reels.

MALAYSIA has a booming Malay film industry but neighbouring Singapore has not seen a Malay film emerge from its shores for nearly 40 years. The last Malay film from the island republic was Satu Titik Di-Garisan (by Cathay-Keris Film Production).

That film also marked the end of the Malay celluloid production in Singapore, as the industry then shifted its operations to Kuala Lumpur. While Singapore does produce several feature films, these are mostly in English and Chinese.

There was even one in Tamil recently. However, the future may be brighter for the island’s Malay film industry, thanks to Sanif Olek, Singapore’s award-winning short film director.

His directing credits include some television work and a trilogy of short films — Lost Sole (awarded Best Film on religion at the International Festival of Short Films on Culture, Jaipur and Best Narrative Film, International at the Rahmat International Short Film Festival, Tabriz, Iran, A La Folie (awarded Best Short Film at the fourth Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival 2009) and Ameen.

Admitting that the Malay voice in Singapore is under-represented, the 40-year-old is hopeful of reviving the Malay film industry in Singapore.

With 15 years experience in the island’s TV industry and known for a focused working style and demands on quality, Sanif is banking a lot on his debut Malay feature film, Ramuan Rahasia (The Missing Ingredient), to be released in Singapore and Malaysia at the end of the year.

Sanif, who holds a degree in media from Perth’s Murdoch University, also hopes the film would be a homage to legendary film-makers like Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Hussin Haniff and M. Amin.

Sanif said the idea for Ramuan Rahasia occurred to him eight years ago, and he took inspiration for the story from the people around him.

He is filming his debut feature under his company, reeljuice Films.

“This is a very important project for me. It is not only about being possibly the first Malay film after four decades post Jalan Ampas and Cathay-Keris, but also because the story covers a lot of elements that touch on (the lives of) modern contemporary Malays, making it relevant to both countries,” says Sanif who was in Kuala Lumpur recently to promote the film, which is 65 per cent completed.

Ramuan Rahasia is a tale of family love and inter-generational relationships and uses food such as sambal goreng as a metaphor for finding the missing ingredient.

Sanif said Ramuan Rahasia was inspired by films such as Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman, Lars Hallstrom’s Chocolat, Gabriel Axel’s Babette’s Feast and Alfonso Arau’s Like Water For Chocolate.

Adding spice to the film is the inclusion of classic Malay folk songs such as Si Jali-Jali, Pesan Kakek and Sayang Di Sayang, which are sung by key characters in the film.

While its uniqueness alone will draw an enthusiastic audience, this 90-minute film features an exceptionally strong cast.

Veteran actor Datuk Rahim Razali, whose four-decade award-winning career as a director, writer and actor has made him an icon in the Asia-Pacific region, has given his full support by sharing his rich experience with the Singapore production team and heading the list of cast.

Rahim also sings in Ramuan Rahasia.

Sanif, who had watched Rahim’s popular feature film, Abang, as a boy, said he had always wanted to have someone of his stature in his film. “It is a great honour, and working with him has been a humbling experience for me.”

Rahim plays a lonely widower who cannot stand his maid’s cooking.

“He had what was needed to bring out the character of a man who suffered a stroke and was reduced to being in a wheelchair,” says Sanif, who is grateful to the screen legend (known to be very selective in choosing a film project) for his involvement.

“Rahim did very well. His facial gestures and body language did it all,” he says.

Other crowd-pullers in the cast are Singapore’s rising stars including Aaron Aziz who is also making quite an impression in Malaysia, Rafaat Hamzah, Aidli “Alin” Mosbit and Keagan Kang.

“With the fine actors, popular songs of the past and heart-warming story, I think the film will surely strike a chord and delight a diverse audience, both commercial and art house,” says Sanif.

Of course he realises that the attempt to revive the Malay film industry in Singapore is no walk in the park, but he feels compelled to do it anyway.

“That’s the challenge. I come from an independent film-maker background. Before me, there was no Malay film-maker who did a short. After that, more and more Malay film-makers emerged. So, it felt good.

“(It is) the same with this project. It is going to be a good, but not smooth, ride. The first one is always not easy.

“Hopefully, it’s going to be how Pendekar Bujang Lapok is being talked and discussed even now.”
Sanif also hopes to look for financiers to complete the film, which has a projected budget of S$350,000 (RM828,554).

“Since there has been no commercial reference, it has been hard to convince investors to come in,” he says, adding that they were also apprehensive to fund the film for fear that it might not be a success.

So far, Sanif has used his own money on the project. On his thoughts about the local Malay film industry, Sanif said it is a thriving one with a mix of commercial and independent films.

“I see many talented young directors and producers lately. I believe it is moving forward and there are segments in the audience who long for ‘thinking’ films like those of the late Yasmin Ahmad’s.”

Thank you Hizreen for the wonderful article.

NOTE: This film is still incomplete and appeals for funds/donations to finish the remaining 35% of shoot.

LOVE Trilogy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2010-04-16T02:46:00.015+08:00

LOVE Trilogy was screened in Kuala Lumpur on 10 April 2010
[This review is by FADLI, and reproduced here from his blog]

Sabtu lepas, aku menonton Lost Sole, à la Folie, dan Ameen, trilogi filem pendek oleh Sanif Olek yang ditayangkan julung-julung kali di Malaysia di Annexe Central Market. Ketiga-tiganya filpen yang cantik. Semuanya dibikin dengan perhatian yang tulus oleh Sanif. Aku sebenarnya ingin benar menonton à la Folie kerana filpen itu memenangi filpen terbaik di Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival tahun lepas. Aku suka, sebab Sanif, bukan saja boleh membawa sebuah cerita yang berstruktur, seperti Lost Sole dan Ameen, yang penuh cukup serba serbi rencah penceritaan, boleh tetap memberi kita, para penonton kejutan dan pembukaan baharu yang tidak tersedar oleh kita. à la Folie pula semacam air, laluannya tidak ada batas dan lubang, lancar terus, penonton terus diberi beberapa pandangan, baik yang lepas, "akan datang" dan sekarang tentang paparan masa dan tempat seorang lelaki dan wanita bertemu kembali dan bercinta kembali. Persoalan peranan jantina, persoalan perilaku jantina dibawa ke depan. Ianya gelap tetapi indah, ianya kelakar tetapi masam. Yang memegang kedua-dua watak itu adalah "pemahaman yang sama" di antara segala pemahaman dan perasaan ini. Seakan, pernyataan, itulah cinta. Ini sebuah puisi yang moden daripada Sanif Olek, yang turut mempuisikan kehidupan malam urban Singapura, ruang dan waktu yang hanya sempat diberi kepada rakyatnya untuk bercinta (kerana pagi, sibuk cari wang katanya, haha).

Satu perkara yang menarik, Sanif begitu tulus, begitu lurus, menyatakan, apa-apapun, kita kembali kepada "agama" (walaupun kita tidak memahami misterinya). Ini dapat dilihat dalam ketiga-tiga filem ini, dengan rujukan masjid sebagai latar, baik secara sengaja atau tidak. Lost Sole dan Ameen lebih dekat kepada masjid (Masjid Sultan), di mana banyaknya babak dan adegan berlaku di kawasan itu, sementera à la Folie berlaku di "luar" masjid (menyatakan kedekatan atau kejauhan subjek cerita terhadap pendirian agama). Tetapi kalau kita cedok lagi, kita sedar bahawa Ameen banyak berlaku "dalam" masjid, Lost Sole di antara dalam dan luar masjid, dan à la Folie terus di luar masjid. Di sini, kita akan sedar, tahap kedekatan pertalian rohaniah (mendekati pemahaman Tuhan) dan perhubungan manusia (lebih sosial, lebih berkenaan manusia) antara tiga filem, mengikut kedekatan dan kejauhan subjek kepada latar masjid. Malah, memang, jika dilihat secara betul, Ameen memberi soalan agama yang paling tampak, malah amat "mendalam" tentang pemahaman dan ketentuan agama (jika bukan agama Islam, mungkin, tidak ramai yang menangkap makna filem ini). Sedang Lost Sole lebih "seimbang" menyatakan perincian pertalian antara manusia dan agama (dan mungkin sebab ini, penonton melihat filem ini sebagai paling sempurna), dan kemudian à la Folie yang mengambil agama sebagai cetusan falsafah. Menarik di sini adalah watak Sani Hussin, budak yang "bodoh-bodoh alang" yang aku lihat, bukan sahaja bermain sebagai comedy relief terhadap Lost Sole dan Ameen, tetapi juga sebagai "pencerita" sebenar yang menampilkan ketidaktentuan dan kelemahan jiwa manusia yang mengelilingi watak Sani Hussin (dan jangan lupa, mengelilingi masjid. Sani Hussin tinggal di masjid. Sani Hussin seakan pemahaman Islam yang benar yang tidak dikotorkan). Di sini, aku tertarik melihat dan teringat akan wali besar Singapura, Habib Nuh yang juga dipermain-mainkan orang pada zaman itu sebagai "majnun", walaupun kita tidak tahu kebenarannya.

Aku berharap sangat dunia Sanif Olek ini, yang memberi kita kesegaran terhadap dunia Melayu Singapura dapat dikupas lagi dan lagi. Dengarnya, beliau akan mengarah filem perdananya yang pertama dengan lakonan Rahim Razali, Ramuan Rahsia. Aku tak sabar melihat sentuhan Sanif yang begitu matang, berinspirasi dan faham tentang hal-hal nostalgia Melayu yang sudah lama kita tidak jumpa dalam sinema kita.

Thank you Fadli for the review.
I'm truly humbled by all the support and love. Keep the comments coming, they will be much appreciated by the cast and crew. To all who attended and made this event a successful full-house screening at the Annexe, THANK YOU.

The LOVE trilogy tours Johor Baru, Malaysia, in late May 2010.

Ramuan Rahasia artwork

2010-04-08T10:08:00.015+08:00

The still-in-progress film feature, Ramuan Rahasia.

The artwork is created by Yane.

Makan Exposè

2010-03-29T18:41:00.004+08:00

Hey friends, check out another tv programme I'm directing. It's called Makan Exposè, where we deconstruct various Malay dishes. 8 x 1/2hr episodes. Thursdays on MediaCorp's Suria channel 8.30pm. Premiered on 18 February 2010. English subtitled.

These dishes are
Rendang & Lontong
Mee Soto & Mee Siam
Satay
Nasi Padang & Sambal Belacan
Laksa & Rojak
Ice-Kacang & Cendol
Sambal Goreng & Asam Pedas
Nasi Lemak & Roti John
Enjoy!

Ramuan Rahasia article in The Sun

2010-03-23T13:47:00.012+08:00

Read the article here, published by The Sun, Malaysia's no 1 English newspaper. (The article is republished below) Original articles can be found here and here.

The Missing Ingredient
Singapore’s first Malay film in almost four decades has hit a snag
by Bissme S

After a nearly 40-year gap, Singapore is going to produce its first Malay feature film entitled Ramuan Rahasia (The Missing Ingredient).

The man behind this project is Singapore’s award-winning television director Sanif Olek. Ramuan Rahasia is his first feature film though he has directed several shorts and a handful of TV productions.

Ramuan Rahasia centres on a lonely elderly man, Pak Harun (played by Malaysian actor Rahim Razali), who lives in a big house in Pasir Ris with a live-in nurse-cum-maid called Murni.

The bitter old man complains about Murni’s cooking and tries to send her back to Indonesia. Eventually, it is her cooking that is instrumental in reconciling father and son.

The film also stars Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit, Rafaat Hamzah, Asnida Daud, J.A. Halim, Aminah Ahmad, Hasyimah Hamidon and Aaron Aziz.

"The Malay voice in Singapore is under-represented," Sanif, 40, says in an exclusive interview in Singapore recently. "Through Ramuan Rahasia, I hope to give a voice to my community here."

While Singapore has produced several feature films in English and Chinese, and even one in Tamil, not a single Malay film has emerged from the republic over the past four decades or so.

Indeed, Sanif is creating a milestone in the Singapore movie scene with this film, which is ironic on hindsight, as it was in Singapore that the Malay film industry was born.

The first Malay film was Laila Majnun (1933), directed by B.S. Rajhans and produced by the Singapore-based Motilal Chemical Company from Bombay.

Over time, the industry grew especially with the entry of the Shaw brothers (Run Run and Runme Shaw) from Hongkong in 1937 and the setting-up of their Malay Film Productions company. Later, a rival studio, Cathay-Keris Film Production, added to the number of Malay films being produced.

The golden age of the Malay film industry came after the World War II in the 1950s and early 60s which saw the birth of such glamorous and talented stars as our very own P. Ramlee, Siput Sarawak and Maria Menado.

But the advent of television soon put paid to the industry’s growth and in 1967, the Shaw Brothers closed down their studios in Singapore.

A few years later, in 1973, Cathay-Keris Film Production released its last film, Satu Titik Di-Garisan, marking an end to Malay film production onnthe island. The industry then shifted its operations to Kuala Lumpur.

The 1990s saw a revival of the Singapore film industry with emerging Singaporean filmmakers such as Eric Khoo and Jack Neo directing English, Chinese and Tamil films, but no Malay feature films – until now.

Sanif has completed 65% of Ramuan Rahasia using his own money but he is running short of funds.

He is now looking for new financing to complete the film, budgeted at S$350,000 (RM828,554), but he says it has not been an easy ride.

He admits the "big guns" are apprehensive about funding his film because they are afraid the movie might not be a success.

"There is always apprehension when something is not tested," he says, adding that he will have a better chance in getting investors’ attention if he was directing an English or Chinese movie.

"I grew up in a Malay environment in Singapore," he says. "If I make my film in Malay, it’ll sound more sincere. I’m not interested in making superficial films.

"Ultimately, this is not a wholly Malay film. It is a Singapore film. The theme is universal and even people in Africa can relate to it."

Sanif first became interested in film in a roundabout way. A camera he received as a gift from his father when he was a child triggered his passion for photography, and later moving pictures.

In 1996, he graduated from Singapore’s premier film school, the Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Department of Film, Sound & Video. He went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in media from Murdoch University’s highly-reputable School of Media, Communication & Culture, in Perth, Australia.

Sanif’s first short film, Lost Sole (Love Trilogy 1), in 2005 was screened in over 30 international film festivals from Hawaii, San Francisco, New York, St Petersburg and Montreal to Teheran.

It was in competition in eight of these film festivals and won two in 2008 – for best film on religion at the International Festival of Short Films on Culture (Jaipur, India) and best narrative film at Rahmat International Shortfilm Festival (Tabriz, Iran).

His second short, A La Folie (Love Trilogy 2), which premiered at the 27th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival in March 2009, was voted best short film at the 4th Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival that year.

Sanif says his works generally portray the theme of love and caring. "This theme has always appealed to me. I always get puzzled when people say they love you and care for you, then the next minute, they disappoint you."

Thank you Bissme for the great article.

NOTE: This film is still incomplete and appeals for funds/donations to finish the remaining 35% of shoot.

An evening of LOVE.

2010-02-19T22:34:00.028+08:00

"Take away LOVE and the earth is a tomb."

It has been more than 5 years in the making and finally on 14 February 2010, LOVE happened.

Ameen was finally completed and with it, the LOVE trilogy concludes. Lost Sole, the first film, was filmed in late 2005 and premiered in early 2006. à la folie, a spontaneous filming process that happened "without a script, but a concept and gifted casts", was filmed in 2007 but was only released in mid-2008. Finally Ameen, from a script written in late 2008, was filmed in early 2009 and finally released in early 2010.

All three films have been self-funded. I reflect upon the success of these films with bittersweet victory. Curious that these films have been more successful overseas than in this island I sweated blood and tears for in National Service as the token Malay Commando.

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

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

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

Those who attended, I love you all! I'm humbled by your support. The LOVE journey has just began and there will be many more LOVE discovery, I tell you :)

(My humblest appreciation to Teater Ekamatra for accomodating their Black Box for this screening.)

The evening was also special because it was the first time a selection of edited scenes from my upcoming film feature debut, Ramuan Rahasia|The Missing Ingredient, was screened to the public. A year had passed since the first phase of the shoot was filmed (February 2009). Just recently, Cathay Keris Films, from the Cathay Organisation, one of three main local cinema exhibitors/distributors, has pledged it will distribute the film feature, possibly the first Singapore-made, Malay-Singaporean film since the late 60s. Thank you Cathay.

This film stars the legendary Rahim Razali. I'm forever grateful to him for agreeing to be in this film. To those not familiar (...shame on you!) with the man, he's the Laurence Olivier or Anthony Hopkins of Southeast Asian Cinema. Gifted Singapore-based actors like Aidli 'Alin' Mosbit, Rafaat Hj Hamzah, Asnida Daud, Aaron Aziz, J A Halim and Keagan Kang complete the cast list.

However more work needs to be done. More money still need to be pulled in to complete the remaining phases of shoots in Singapore and Sydney, Australia. It's puzzling to know that with such an impressive regional casting, bittersweet story consisting all spicy ingredients that could raze the cinema screens (ie love, music and food), it's still hard to pull in the money in Singapore for this "historic" film.

And for those curious why a certain local govt-based film agency not participate in this exquisite concoction, yet - go seek their feedback directly. I don't wish to pepper this blog space with speculation on rigid bureaucrats.

No, blockbuster actors like Chow Yuen Fatt, Jacky Chan, Brat Pitt, Fann Wong nor Angelina Jolie cannot act in my film because they cannot speak nor sing in Malay nor Indonesian in believable local accents, yes?

I look forward to Ramuan Rahasia's film premiere - there'll be lots of personal and professional stories to tell. The self-discovery, friends who walked away and lost, professional sacrifices by acquaintances and the new friends made along the way... the journey is a tale in itself lah. But it's all good :)

Life is full of surprises and I take the challenge with a sweet hazelnut Magnum, yes the ice-cream!

Close to 65% of footages are already in the can. Just a few more $$$ and this film will be complete. Thus, no belakang pusing, majulah kehadapan! :D

To those who missed the LOVE affair, you may get glimpses of it from Gumbira, Neil and Zalinah.

Thank you soo much.

Makan Angin (new series)

2010-02-02T18:54:00.003+08:00

Food/cultural travelogue with Najip Ali and Chef Wan. Premieres 3rd February 2010, 7.30pm on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore.

8 x 1/2hour episodes. Cities covered are Kuching, Penang, Malacca, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Kota Kinabalu, Bandung, Jogjakarta. A Dua M production.

Directed by Sanif Olek (eps 1-6 of 8). Filmed and photographic stills by Helmindra J. A. Halim.

Enjoy :)

à la folie January screenings

2010-01-18T02:20:00.003+08:00

YOu are invited to catch à la folie | LOVE trilogy #2 screenings in January at the following events,
Singapore Short Film Awards 2010, 28 January @ 9pm

SMU Film Festival 2010, 31 January @ 8pm

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. Thank you so much for your support.

LOVE is in the air.

2010-01-16T02:51:00.006+08:00

LOVE is LOVE is LOVE.

L'AMOUR est dans le ciel. Pouvez-vous le sentir ?

à la folie - One year on...

2009-12-04T20:45:00.001+08:00

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]

2009-11-17T03:07:00.008+08:00

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]

2009-10-30T00:06:00.003+08:00

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]

2009-10-25T14:18:00.002+08:00

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...?

2009-10-19T15:51:00.001+08:00

"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]

2009-10-16T01:53:00.003+08:00

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]

2009-10-09T04:57:00.002+08:00

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]

2009-10-05T22:41:00.001+08:00

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

2009-10-03T01:37:00.009+08:00

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

2009-09-19T21:08:00.003+08:00

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

2009-09-17T02:14:00.010+08:00

Here it is folks, the premiere telecast of VANILLA, 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"

2009-09-06T15:06:00.001+08:00

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!

2009-09-04T00:29:00.001+08:00

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

2009-09-02T03:28:00.001+08:00

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?

2009-08-28T05:05:00.007+08:00

"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.

Vanilla 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)
- "So Lazat" (2 seasons; 15 episodes in total, half-hr each; 2006-7), "Best magazine programme" @ Pesta Perdana 2007
- Celebrity Chef (13 x 1 hr; 2007)
- Vanilla (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 don't I just stick to doing drama (film & 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 Vanilla. But I think Vanilla would offer 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!

VANILLA preview from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

Vanilla - the new baking show with Siti Mastura, is scheduled to premiere on 1 October 2009 @ 9pm, on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore. Thursdays

A little distraction.

2009-08-24T05:40:00.002+08:00

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

2009-08-19T23:40:00.001+08:00

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

2009-08-11T01:26:00.010+08:00

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

2009-07-29T02:16:00.003+08:00

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

2009-06-11T22:08:00.005+08:00

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

2009-05-24T00:06:00.009+08:00

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

2009-03-15T15:35:00.005+08:00

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

2009-03-14T03:21:00.007+08:00

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"

2009-03-11T16:13:00.031+08:00

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

2009-02-28T05:57:00.012+08:00

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

2009-02-19T22:39:00.011+08:00

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"

2009-02-14T02:48:00.007+08:00

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

Looking back at 1988... Segaris Sinar "Constellations"

2008-12-25T15:25:00.007+08:00

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

A Simple Story That Gets The Deepest In You (ChannelnewsAsia, 8 July 2008)

SINGAPORE : Seven friends, seven stories, one ‘family’… MediaCorp’s new Malay drama “1988… Segaris Sinar” which focuses on timeless, universal themes of friendship and family is sure to tug at your heartstrings.

Boasting a stellar cast including Rafaat Hamzah, Melvinder Kanth, Nik Mikhail and Taufiq Salleh, the eight-part drama which debuted Monday on Suria, tracks the lives of seven bosom friends who grew up together in an orphanage and explores the love and camaraderie that binds them together as ‘family’.

They go their separate paths and reunite after 20 years. However, things are very different.

Constantly switching between the present (2008) and the past (1980s when they were kids), each episode sees award-winning director Sanif Olek carefully piecing together the individual stories of each member.

As they reflect on their growing up years, they realise how their problems today harks back to their days in the orphanage. But like before, they continue to gain strength from one another and seek inspiration from the glimmer of hope that their fragmented lives can offer.

“1988… Segaris Sinar” airs every Monday at 9.30pm on Suria.

Sanif Olek Showreel 2008

2008-12-18T11:22:00.004+08:00

Sanif Olek | Showreel 2008 from Sanif Olek on Vimeo.

2008 Showreel of Sanif Olek. For details email reeljuice@gmail.com
Content:
1. The Missing Ingredient (feature film, pre-production)
2. Mentari "Ray Of Light" (docudrama series)
3. Lost Sole (short film)
4. Soo Lazat "Delectable" (lifestyle, info-ed series)
5. à la folie (short film)
6. 1988... Segaris Sinar "Constellations" (drama series)

Khilaf (OST Mentari II) music video

2008-11-24T03:55:00.003+08:00

Theme song of the docudrama "Mentari II"

Title: Khilaf
Singer: Hairi Yusof
Composer: Mansoor Mohd
Lyrics: Zaharian Osman
Director: Sanif Olek
Video editor: Salimi Ahamadi

KHILAF

Andai masa putar
Andai masa berbicara

Andai tiba tika
Ku ketuk pintu tundukku pasrah

Masa merangkak
Ooh alpaku
KebesaranMu

Masa terus berlalu
Hanya aku termangu
Rentetan masa khilafku
Aku terpaku

Andai masa dapat ku putarkan
Akan aku ingat padaMu
Beri aku ketenangan
Beri aku kekuatan
Sebelum aku dijemput pulang

Masa merangkak
Ooh syukurku
AnugerahMu

Masa terus berlalu
Hanya aku menunggu
Tuntutan masa khilafku
Aku membeku

Andai masa hilang
Andai masa menjelang...

"Mentari II" is a 5 x half-hour episodes docudrama, based on real-life reports of abuse filed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports and Ain Society. Mentari wants to inspire and empower both victims and the perpetrator of abuse to seek alternative means to violence.

Mentari season 2 premieres 3rd December 2008, screens Wednesdays @ 9pm on MediaCorp's Suria channel. Produced by Qaboom Communications, directed by Sanif Olek, script by Rafaat Hj Hamzah.

An honourable mention

2008-11-14T09:11:00.004+08:00

I'm touched by this article, "Singapore Malay Filmmakers Society - a word with Isnor"

Thanks Isnor, Jeremy & SMFS.

Read the article here.

5 by 5

2008-11-05T11:47:00.003+08:00

Video project commissioned by the National Museum of Singapore/National Heritage Board.

Description:
How does an aging 30 year-old neighbourhood face the competition amidst newer towns and fancy suburban heartlands?

That is the question answered by local director and producer, Sanif Olek in his film, '5 by 5'.

Makan! That's exactly what Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak serves in this neighbourhood to help keep Boon Lay ripe in the competition. Between the hours of 10am to 3am, this family-run gem from the humble hawker center has successfully satisfied nocturnal cravings with its traditional gastronomical servings, spicy enough to attract the crowd residing in the competition from different corners of the island.

Watch the buzz created by a combined scoop of the nasi lemak and a power stroke of the sambal belacan, making it very hard to bypass Boon Lay.

Music: "The Four Seasons", by Vivaldi

à la folie - the short film

2008-09-05T14:33:00.003+08:00

Sinta, Arjuna and Rawana return in a rock-and-roll remix of the classic Ramayana.

Teaser for the short film, à la folie. Coming soon to a screening hall near you.

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

LAST EPISODE - "1988... Segaris Sinar"; 1 Sept @ 9 pm; Suria channel

2008-08-28T04:24:00.000+08:00

Kindly look out for episode #8 of "1988... Segaris Sinar" during the first week of Ramadan... where more secrets are revealed and tears wept.

Stars Rafaat Hamzah, Roslan Kemat, Nik Mikail, Rahima Yusof, Melvinder Kanth, Sahfuddin Mahfudz, Taufik Salleh, J A Halim, Rafi Khan, Haryani Othman, Jasmani Basri and Sani Husin.

Find out what happened to the orphans.

1 Sept @ 9pm on MediaCorp's Suria channel. English subtitled. Directed by yours truly.

LAST EPISODE.

Lost Sole film screenings @ the Picturehouse

2008-08-17T02:28:00.001+08:00

Check out the screening schedule of my film, LOST SOLE, in the SUTRA Film Showcase @ the Picturehouse (Singapore). Been travelling round the globe, won awards and now it's back and screening @ hometurf. For a limited time only...

22 August 2008 (Friday) | 19.30 | Picturehouse

LOST SOLE stars Mahadi Shor, Aidli Mosbit & Sani Husin.

Screening will be followed by a Q n A session. See you there :)

Thank you for the love and support.

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

"1988... Segaris Sinar" ep7, 25 August @ 9.30pm on Suria channel

2008-08-17T02:25:00.001+08:00

Kindly note the telecast of episode #7 of "1988...Segaris Sinar"; 25 August (Monday) @ 9.30pm, on Mediacorp's SURIA channel.

This episode stars Taufik Salleh, Marina Yusof, Rahimah Rahim.

Featuring a special song by Taufik Batisah.

Last 2 episodes. English subtitled. Directed by yours truly.

Constellations, aka "1988... Segaris Sinar"

2008-06-07T13:28:00.002+08:00

Concept by reeljuice. A Shortman Films production. Produced by Imagen. Directed by Sanif Olek.

aka "1988... Segaris Sinar"

An 8-episode bittersweet drama that tracks the lives of 7 bosom friends who grew up together in an orphanage. Ranging from the ages of 6 to 15 when they first met, the series examines how the orphanage conditioned their upbringing and shaped their individual perspectives that subsequently affect their respective decisions and choices during adulthood.

Just like the constellation, they gain strength from one another and seek inspiration from the glimmer of hope that their fragmented lives can offer. Raised in a less privileged environment without conventional relatives, these 7 friends seek one another for emotional support.

Telecast beginning 7 July (Mondays) @ 9.30pm on MediaCorp's Suria channel, Singapore.

The Miniature Earth

2007-11-24T10:52:00.001+08:00

Mentari (Ray of Hope) teasers

2007-11-13T02:34:00.004+08:00

Complete collection of 6 teasers for the docudrama "Mentari". 
5 x half-hour episodes docudrama, based on real-life reports of abuse filed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports and Ain Society. Mentari wants to inspire and empower both victims and the perpetrator of abuse to seek alternative means to violence.

Directed by Sanif Olek, written by Rafaat Hamzah, produced by Qaboom Communications (aka Shahrin Azhar). Series premieres 22 November 2007 on MediaCorp's Suria tv channel.

Mentari (Ray of Hope) teasers collection
Uploaded by sanifolek

Khilaf (OST Mentari) music video

2007-11-13T02:31:00.002+08:00

Theme song of the docu-drama series, "Mentari". 
Title: Khilaf
Singer: Hairi Yusof
Composer: Mansoor Mohd
Lyrics: Zaharian Osman
Director: Sanif Olek
Producer: Shahrin Azhar
Video Editor: Isazaly Isa

"Mentari" is a 5 x half-hour episodes docudrama, based on real-life reports of abuse filed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports and Ain Society. Mentari wants to inspire and empower both victims and the perpetrator of abuse to seek alternative means to violence.

Series premieres 22 November 2007 on MediaCorp's Suria tv channel.

Khilaf (OST Mentari) music video
Uploaded by sanifolek

Heartwarming advertisement 2

2007-11-13T02:17:00.000+08:00

Heartwarming advertisement

2007-11-13T02:13:00.001+08:00

Came across these on the net. Thought I'd share them...

Mentari (Ray of Hope) tv preview

2007-10-16T05:26:00.001+08:00

5 x half-hour episodes docudrama, based on real-life reports of abuse filed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports and Ain Society. Mentari wants to inspire and empower both victims and the perpetrator of abuse to seek alternative means to violence.

Directed by Sanif Olek, written by Rafaat Hamzah, produced by Qaboom Communications (aka Shahrin Azhar). Premieres November 2007 on MediaCorp's Suria channel.

Note: Graphic titles are NOT final yet.

Mentari (Ray of Hope) preview
Uploaded by sanifolek

The Missing Ingredient film teasers 1 & 2

2007-10-16T05:23:00.001+08:00

"If music be the food of love...", play on? Murni works as a lived-in maid in Singapore after her family was swept away by the tsunami in Aceh for Pak Harun, a lonely man who is still mourning for his late wife and abandoned by his gay son. What is the spice - The Missing Ingredient - that will bring these fragmented lives together?

Teasers for the upcoming debut feature by Sanif Olek. Seeks funding to film. Contact reeljuice@gmail.com

Lost Sole shortfilm trailer

2007-10-16T04:54:00.001+08:00

Lost Sole short film trailer
Uploaded by sanifolek

How far could you go without your sole?

1 min teaser for the short film "LOST SOLE", filmed in late 2005. This film has dialogues spoken in 3 Asian languages; Baweanese, Malay & Hokien.

Selected and screening at the following film events in 2007 :-
San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Festival (USA)
Emirates Film Competition (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Swansea Bay Film Festival (UK)
Everglades International Film Festival (South Africa)
Open Cinema Festival (St Petersburg, Russia)
Portable Film Festival www.portablefilmfestival.com

Selected and screened at the following film events in 2006 :-
Rhode Island International Film Festival (USA)
Montreal World Film Festival (Canada)
New York Asian American Int'l Film Festival (USA)
Hawaii International Film Festival (USA)
Tehran Int'l Shortfilm Festival (Iran)
3rd Singapore Short Cuts
Indianapolis International Film Festival (USA)
Queens International Film Festival (USA)
Golden Lion Film Festival (Swaziland, Africa)
New York Museum of Modern Art (USA)
FAIF International Film Festival (Los Angeles, USA)
Short Film Festival of India (Chennai, India)
Santa Fe Film Festival (USA)
Salento International Film Festival (Italy)
Boulder Asian Film Festival (USA)
DC Shorts Film Festival (Washington USA)
Winnepeg International Film Festival (Canada)
Village International D-Cinema Festival (Lisbon, Portugal)
VC Filmfest:The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (USA)
Santa Cruz Film Festival (USA)
Brooklyn Arts Council 40th Intl Film & Video Festival (USA)
Singapore Shorts Film Festival
Malaysian Video Awards

Lost Sole is a reelJuice production