Disclaimer: This review is from my perspective as a viewer with little or no knowledge of films and how they are made. What is written is entirely how I feel about the movie from my personal view as a movie fan and not a film critique. Also, note my limited English vocabulary in describing things and the absence of film-making terms and jargons. My take on the movie and its understanding are also probably based on the life that I went through as a person, as I think films touch these elements most of the time in terms of story. I hereby apologize for any error in touching those matters. Also, I have a very short-term memory so the review might miss talking about some parts
SANGKAR - ONCE FREE, NOW ENTRAPPED
A story about a young lover Yasmin (SHARIFAH ARMANI) and Omar (BETO KUSYAIRY) who has been denied union. Yasmin is poor and her ill mother gets no medical treatment. Then come a marriage proposal where Yasmin cant resist because it promises the financing of the mother’s medical treatment, but at the cost of her relationship with Omar.
SPOILER TERRITORY
I can’t help but to draw parallel to our local film industry. The short film is made in 2010 almost a year after the lost of YASMIN AHMAD in 2009 and SHARIFAH ARMANI’s big lost of a mentor and a family after starring in many of her films. This film also made in memory of her passing.
The ill mother of Yasmin represents the ill state of the local cinema and Omar’s father, Uncle Halim (OTHMAN HAFSHAM) represents the lure of money believing it can fix anything eventhough he dont know what the exact solution to the problem.
And Omar represent Yasmin’s real love of the art of film but having made the rushed decision to go for the quick solution of money, she is entrapped and have to wear a mask. Despite her bling appearance it is empty inside.
Omar also being asked by the father to go oversea and make beautiful kids (or movies, without really knowing how to) and make money (tickets collection).
In short, the ill mother represent the dying local cinema scene. The boyfriend is the true art of film and she loves him. But she made a bad choice choosing money thinking it could save the local cinema but becoming its slave instead.
Cash is somehow is still king, even in the New Malaysia, because we still have the same old same old Malaysians.
However, there has been a silver lining in a form of the indie film revival and they are making their way into the mainstream cinema.
- the short film is available for viewing here https://youtu.be/xMCLH9Sjv8s
