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Muallaf
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Wikipedia article
'Muallaf' is a 2008 Malaysian drama film directed by Yasmin Ahmad. It tells a tale of three souls finding solace in religion. This is Yasmin Ahmad's fifth film after 'Rabun', 'Sepet', 'Gubra' and 'Mukhsin'.
Cast
'Footnote:'
* 'Brian Yap's character was initially planned to be named Robert Ng.'
Closure
* It was not clear what had happened to Rohana. However, it could be assumed that Rohani had finally met up with Rohana considering that she had volunteered to take care of her stroke-hit father who had snatched away Rohana earlier.
* It was not shown explicitly whether Brian was attracted to Rohani or the religion of Islam itself. If Brian was in love with Rohani, this would probably mark the first time Yasmin concealed the romantic relationship in films that contain the agenda of love.
Screening
As Yasmin's previous films, 'Muallaf' opened with the usual Islamic verse "In the name of God, the most Gracious and most Merciful" (Bismillahirahmanirrahim). What set 'Muallaf' apart from her previous works was that the verse was displayed in Chinese in this movie, i.e. "" (Pinyin: fng d rn d c Zhn Zh de zn mng). It was understood that the verse would be displayed in Tamil in her next film, 'Talentime'.
As Yasmin's second feature film, 'Sepet', 'Muallaf' was first screened in Singapore instead of Malaysia, where it was shot. The film ran for 4 weeks in Singapore from 27 November to 24 December 2008, recording turnouts more than that of 'Sepet'. 'Muallaf' was first denied screening in Malaysian cinemas due to the Malaysian censorship authorities request of key scenes to be cut, thus rendering the story meaningless. However, 1 year later, 'Muallaf' finally opened in Malaysia nationwide on 24/12/09 with a few dialogues muted.
International participation
Awards won
* 21st Tokyo International Film Festival (18 - 26 October 2008) ~ Special Mention Best Asian-Middle Eastern Film* 2010 Screen Awards - Best Film & Best Actress in a Leading Role (Sharifah Amani)
Official selection
* 61st Locarno International Film Festival (6 - 16 August 2008)* 13th Pusan International Film Festival (2 - 10 October 2008)
* Rialto Film Festival, Amsterdam - New Malaysian Cinema
Reviews and Interviews with Yasmin Ahmad on the film
Singapore
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207053322/http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/entertainment/15532.html RazorTV Interview with Yasmin Ahmad on 'Muallaf' (part 1)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207053332/http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/entertainment/15534.html RazorTV Interview with Yasmin Ahmad on 'Muallaf' (part 2)]
* [http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/muallaf/muallaf.htm Moviexclusive.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090730010440/http://stars.zaobao.com/pages6/brian081124.shtml Lianhe Zaobao (24 November 2008):
(Malaysian film 'Muallaf' male lead originally for Michael Wong)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081201083656/http://stars.zaobao.com/pages6/movies081128.shtml Lianhae Zaobao (28 November 2008): ('Muallaf': Two Malay sisters on the run)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081204012721/http://www.todayonline.com/articles/289783.asp TODAY (29 November 2008): Much ado about 'Muallaf']
Indonesia
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090105174857/http://www.rumahfilm.org/wawancara/wawancara_yasmin.htm 'Rumah Film': Saya Membuat Film Karena Ingin Memahami Tuhan
(I Make Films Because I Want To Understand God)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090126005522/http://www.rumahfilm.org/resensi/resensi_muallaf.htm 'Rumah Film': 'Muallaf': Brian dan Sepasang Gadis Ronin (Brian and A Pair of Girls on the Run)]
Malaysia
* [http://www.cinema.com.my/movies/movie_contents.aspx?search=2008.4867.muallaf.9303§ion=review Cinema Online: 'Muallaf' Review']
* [http://mytupai.blogspot.com/2009/12/allahyarham-yasmin-ahmad-telah.html TUPAI: Ulasan 'Muallaf']
References
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