Karaoke

Karaoke

Synopsis

In a rural Malaysian oil palm estate, Betik (Zahiril Adzim) returns home from the big city of Kuala Lumpur. He decides to build a better future back home with his mother after the death of his father years ago. However, Betik’s absence from the funeral is seen by his mother as a silent betrayal. To regain his rhythm of living back home, he takes on a day job shooting karaoke videos. At night, he tries to help his mother at the family’s karaoke bar downstairs – a karaoke where the local Indian estate workers, their families, and the Malay Muslim villagers next door gather and sing. This is when Betik meets a girl who seduces him with a future that he has come back for.

Official Site: www.tanjungarupictures.com

Singapore Release Date: 24th December 2009, Thursday

Running Time: 75 minutes

Ratings: G

Genre: Drama

Cast: Mislina Mustaffa, Nadiyatul Nissa, Mohammad Hariry, Zahiril Adzim

Crew: Director (Chris Chong Chan Fui), Writers (Shanon Shah), Screenplay (Chris Chong Chan Fui), Producer (Pierre Laburthe, Chris Chong Chan Fui), Production design (Yee-I-Lann), Cinematography (Jarin Pengpanich) and Editing (Lee Chatametikool)

The Trailer

The Review

If I’m not wrong, I recalled remembering that Karaoke was shot amazingly only within 12 days, and the 75 minute film was even screen at the Directors’ Fortnight of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival last year, a first for any Malaysian feature film in 14 years.

That goes to show how well received the movie is with the critics, but that doesn’t mean it will be a hit with the film-goers.

Karaoke, is Malaysian filmmaker Chris Chong Chan Fui’s first ever feature-length film, and to me it has a somber feel to it.

Yes it should be getting more accolade, considering it has impressive performances led by Zahiril Adzim and supported by Mislina Mustaffa, Mohammad Hariry, Amerul Affendi and Nadiya Nissa.

Even the production design and visual is top notch with internationally renowned Yee I-Lann on board the project.

But I feel the movie is a more of a short story that was laboriously made into a feature-length film, it’s pretty obvious there were some unnecessarily scenes that was extended.

Those who frequent watching mainstream movies, might find Karaoke a wee bit odd, considering the structure and pacing of the movie is sluggish and random.

Karaoke is a film that reaffirms that the only certain things in life are changes.

The Good

• Good ensemble cast
• Classy production design
• Good selection of movie scores

The Bad

• Subplot storyline won’t appeal to many
• Movie more suited to art-house film lover
• Too short, more film time would pan out the movie better in my opinion

Editor’s Ratings