Q&A: Yasmin Ahmad

Yasmin Ahmad is no stranger to most Malaysians. The titles of her films, and perhaps, the stories they tell, are also widely known, the subject of some very heated debates. While her stature is undeniable, her bankability as a filmmaker is sometimes called into question. Her breakthrough second film, Sepet did quite well in the box office and the subsequent home video market, but its follow up Gubra failed to garner similar traction with the public. In less than two weeks, however, her latest film Mukhsin has already collected RM1.6 million at the box office. Not quite Cicakman, but this isn't an action movie-it's a story about two young kids who discover love for the first time.

RM1.6 million! It's a lot of money but what does it ultimatelt mean to you?

Vindication. My editor is happy to the point of tears, and I asked him, "What's wrong with you?" And he said, "Ever since we started making films, sometimes we hang out with other film crews, and they say things like "You guys can go win awards, but we do what matters: we make money." So it's quite vindicating. It's also especially delightful because I just won two prizes in Berlin, and now it's RM1.6 million after a week and a half, so it's possible.

Do you think the success is the result of you doing something different, whether marketing wise or the film itself?

I think it's got to be a combination of all things. There's no easy answer. There was this tie-up with [Alliance Cosmetic's] Magic Face Powder, and they were saying, "Link it to your film." And the commercials ran so frequently that they surely have to had an impact. On the Internet, especially on the Malay Web sites where they discussed the commercials a lot, it was well loved There's also the fact that it's a Grand Brilliance production. They're part of Media Prima, and they own TV3, NTV7, 8TV, TV9 and some radio stations. But I suppose the content also matters. I think the song ["Ne Me Quitte Pas" by Nina Simone] too-because the trailer had it. According to my friend who works at Tower Records, people were coming in and asking for Nina Simone. And maybe Berlinale as well, because Grand Brilliance really rode on the film's success. They plastered it on every poster that it was a grand prize winner. But the thing is, that would only account for the first-week sales. What mystifies everybody is there have been many reports of people viewing it multiple times. Now, surely promotion can't do that. So I really don't know. I think it's because it's about kids and all that.

Do you think Malaysian audiences are finally warming up to your films?

Maybe it's a cumulative effect. The funny thing is, Mukhsin doesn't have Malay subtitles-I was disturbed by that fact. And when I asked, they said they didn't think the Mat Rempits were going to see Mukhsin anyway. But it's doing well, even in places like Bukit Raja, Kuantan and Puchong. So maybe Malaysians are more English literate than we give them credit for.

Will Mukhsin's success affect your approach in future films?

One of the things I'm worried about Muallaf is it's likely to be in English. So that's worrying. But then you can have subtitles, and Malays especially are very subtitle savvy. They've been mad about Hindustani films for a long time, and all they've had to rely on are subtitles.

So why are you worried, then?

Well, Hindustani movies have very good looking people in them. And Muallaf has Sharifah Amani and Brian Yap. [laughs]. And pretty as they are, I'm guessing they're not as pretty as Aishwarya Rai.

Text Brian Yap

Article taken from KLue Magazine April 2007, Issue 102