Thesun 2009-04-27 Page06 Beginners Luck

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theSun

| MONDAY APRIL 27 2009

news without borders

Beginner’s luck? by Bissme S. [email protected]

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian film director Chris Chong Chan Fui has beginner’s luck. His first feature film Karaoke will be screened at the Directors’ Fortnight of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival from May 14 to 24. “Cannes is totally unexpected,” Chong who is currently in Bangkok said. “It is such an honour to be part of the biggest film festival in the world and be screened alongside a film by Francis Ford Coppola,” he said. Karaoke is nominated for the Camera d’Or (GoldenCamera) – an award given to the best first feature film presented in any one of the Cannes’ selections. The Directors’ Fortnight is a platform that highlights new talents in the world’s cinemas and the directors of tomorrow. Karaoke will be the first Malaysian feature film in 14 years to be screened at Cannes. Other Malaysian films shown in the past were Sepohon Rambutan Indah Kepunyaanku Di Tanjung Rambutan and Kaki Bakar (by UWei Saari) and Bukak Api (Osman Ali). Initiated in 1969 by the French Director’s Society, The Directors’ Fortnight has discovered some of the world’s most famous directors and held the first screenings of debut films of

directors such as Werner Herzog, Nagisa Oshima, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Michael Haneke, Jim Jarmusch and Spike Lee. The Directors’ Fortnight is open to the general public, and last year, over 40,000 spectators attended its screenings. Even before the film was shot, Karaoke was invited to the Berlin Film Festival’s Script Clinic in 2007 and was selected to participate in the Hongkong-Asian Film Financing Forum (HAF) last year. Written by award-winning playwright, writer and singer-songwriter Shanon Shah, it showcases performances by an impressive cast that includes Zahiril Adzim, Mislina Mustaffa, Mohammad Hariry, Amerul Affendi and Nadiya Nissa. Newcomers Zahiril and Amerul most recently wowed Malaysian audiences in the stage play Air Con – coincidentally also written by Shanon. The 75-minute Karaoke is set in an estate village on a Malaysian oil palm plantation and centres on young lad Betik who returns home to reluctantly help his mother out at the family’s karaoke joint. This is where he falls for Anisah. Although having a job, love and a family, subtle manipulations driven by self-interest and personal desires seep through. But the songs continue to be sung.

Chong on set.

What do you think of MAS’s Stimulus Package? and enjoy all-inclusive RM69 fares for PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines, which recently launched its Stimulus Package in travel within the peninsula and East Malaysia, and RM99 for travel between line with its vision to become The World’s East and West Malaysia. Five Star Value Carrier, is conducting an Weekend Getaway: Special fares online poll to get public feedback. The poll, hosted on theSun’s website for long weekend travel (Asean travel www.sun2surf.com and held over two only) Kids Fly Free: For every two adult weeks from today, will feature two queseconomy class tickets purchased, a child tions. One will be posted for a week from today to May 3, and the other from May below age 12 travels for free (domestic and Asean travel) 4 to May 10. MHFlex 1+1: Purchase one economy The MAS Stimulus Package offers class ticket, and your companion gets nine value-for-money deals – seven for a free ticket on flights economy class travel, one operated by Malaysia Airfor business class and For more, log on to lines (domestic and Asean one for first class. The malaysiaairlines.com travel ) packages are: Premium Match: 80% discounts off Malaysia Airlines will match domestic and Asean the price of your previous travel on an- travel: Enjoy low fares when you book other airline for flights of more than three online Grab-A-Deal: Special fares for selected hours for Asean and international travel. destinations are available online from This package applies to first and business time to time class travel only. Business Companion: a 50% discount The sales and travel periods of the is offered for your companion’s business deals differ. class travel. Sales for Grab-A Deal and Balik KamEconomy+: Pay economy class fares pung, which have been available online but enjoy business class travel privileges since last month, have surpassed RM17.5 including access to lounges and accrual million in just over a month – RM12 million of Enrich miles. from Grab-A- Deal and more than RM5.5 Balik Kampung: Travel on weekends million from Balik Kampung.

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