INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

FESTIVAL DATES : July 2008 (exact dates to follow)

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

Registration deadline: December 1st, 2007
Registration fee: no fee
Requirements:
1) Films completed after: January 1st, 2006
2) Maximum running time: 25 minutes (including credits)
3) Country of production: all countries except Asian countries *
4) Screening format: Digi-Betacam NTSC or Beta SP NTSC
5) Accepted genres: all genres
6) If the dialog language is not Japanese nor English, English subtitles must be prepared for preview copies.
*Asian countries are defined as:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China (Rep. of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), East Timor, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippine, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

ASIA INTERNATIONAL COMPETITON

Registration deadline: December 1st, 2007
Registration fee: no fee
Requirements:
1) Films completed after: January 1st, 2006
2) Maximum running time: 25 minutes (including credits)
3) Country of production: Asian countries * (except Japan) defined as below
4) Screening format: Digi-Betacam NTSC or Beta SP NTSC
5) Accepted genres: all genres
6) If the dialog language is not Japanese nor English, English subtitles must be prepared for preview copies.
*Asian countries are defined as:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China (Rep. of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), East Timor, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippine, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.


JAPAN COMPETITION

Registration deadline: December 1st, 2007
Registration fee: no fee
Requirements:
1) Films completed after: January 1st, 2006
2) Maximum running time: 25 minutes (including credits)
3) Country of production: Japan
4) Screening format: Digi-Betacam NTSC or Beta SP NTSC
5) Accepted genres: all genres
6) If the dialog language is not Japanese nor English, English subtitles must be prepared for preview copies.

STOP ! GLOBAL WARMING COMPETITION
Film's theme regarding Global Warming problems
Registration deadline: December 1st, 2007
Registration fee: no fee
Requirements:
1) Films completed after: January 1st, 2006
2) Maximum running time: 25 minutes (including credits)
3) Country of production: all countries
4) Screening format: Digi-Betacam NTSC or Beta SP NTSC
5) Accepted genres: all genres
6) If the dialog language is not Japanese nor English, English subtitles must be prepared for preview copies.

PREVIEW COPY: DVD
Please send your film(s) (DVD) right after finishing online submission, along with your signed entry form (pdf printed version), to the following address:

Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
2F Urban Bldg. 2-4-8 Hirakawacho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093
Japan
E-mail : eri@shortshorts.org

WELL, HERE I AM :)

Haahaha...halamak bro, sorry, wasn't my intention to ignore the blod, really had nothing much to post. Didn't know if you'll be interested in my India visit.

Well, magical yes! definitely. first of all, not everyone is blessed to go to puttaparthi, let alone see Sai Baba. I got both, and the whole 10 days i was there i saw him everyday, twice a day!
I was there for Sai World Youth Conference. The last time such conference was held, it was 12 years ago, so it was pretty much a wonderful experience. It was also my first trip to India and i never every dreamt that my first trip to India will be that of visiting my Guru. People from 60 countries were there attending the conference and we heard Baba speak during the opening and the closing ceremony. It was transformational. Well, he turned me into a full-time vegetarian so no more BBQ parties for me unless you'll are roasting some vegetarian chicken. hehe. I am seeing things from a different light and a lot of people are having trouble to adapt to my changes including my parents but I believe its all for the good!
:)

cine newz

Rajinikanth is ready for his next film after a long vacation. The buzz is that it will be produced by Poornachandra Rao and P.Vasu will be the director. Maybe Vasu is Rajini’s lucky mascot. The superstar is also reportedly in favour of a remake just as Chandramuki, a remake of a Malayalam film, was a hit. Vasu is scouting for suitable scripts.

The highest-paid-actor record that Rajinikanth has been holding till now has been snatched away by Shahrukh Khan. Eros has bought his home production’s Om Shakthi Om, directed by Farah Khan, for a whopping Rs. 75 crores. The music rights of this movie have been snatched away by the T-series for an astounding Rs. 8 crores.

With Om Shakthi Om, having been made at a budget of Rs. 25 crores, Shahrukh has pocketed a mind boggling Rs. 58 crores even before the release of the film. Close to his heels is Rajini who has got over Rs. 15 crores and a share from the international release for Sivaji. However, with Sivaji yet to be released in Rajini’s stronghold area – Japan
– the equations might change. Will Superstar win over the King Khan or will Khan have the last laugh?

source: behindwoods.com

HELLO!!!

IS ANYONE HERE?

Wat's happening to our blog? it becoming 'ghost town'.

any review? any update? Kamini jus came back from india, visiting sai baba. care to share ur experience, ms. kamini? any magical moments?

i think v should met every month and celebrate our real reel member b'day. wat's u guys opinion?

bye
xxxm.s.premxxx
________

p/s: i also hav no important stuff to post dat i also didn't update dis blog.

My condolence to them all...

first was alleycats Loga then sujatha krishan and now director/cinematographer Jeeva. all of them have one thing in common, that is they died died b'cos health problem.

I dun know jeeva or loga but i do know Sujatha. A good actress and commited one though never had oppurtinity to work with her but she acted in Sasi's 'SINGHAM' and supposed to act in Sasi's black comedy movie 'Brickfield'.

Well, my condolence to their family.

Talented Director & Cinematographer JEEVA Passes Away

Noted cinematographer - director Jeeva passed away after suffering acute cardiac arrest in Russia last night. He was shooting for Dhaam Dhoom starring Jayam Ravi and Kangana Ranaut in Russia.

An acclaimed cinematographer - turned - director Jeeva had worked in over 40 films including Shankar's Gentleman, Kadhalan and Indian.

Jeeva was directed over 50 commercials. He ventured to Bollywood and cranked the camera for several blockbusters including films directed by Priyadharshan. Some of his Hindi movies include Hulchul, Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar, Run, Kushi, Bhagam Bhag, Hera Pheri among others. A native of Thiruthooraipoondi, Jeeva ventured to direction with 12B. The film featured Jyothika and Simran together opposite Shaam. The latter was introduced by Jeeva.

Jeeva's next was Ullam Ketkumae which featured a host of actresses. Popular stars like Arya, Asin and Pooja made their debut with the movie. Jeeva followed it up with Unnale Unnale and he introduced a Bangalore model Vinay in the lead role. Featuring Sada and Kajol's sister Tanisha, Unnale Unnale was a run away hit.

Jeeva is currently directing Dhaam Dhoom starring Jayam Ravi and Kangana Ranaut. He is survived by his wife Annesha, the costume designer of Jeeva's films and three children.

The body is expected to be flown back to India soon.

Source : Indiaglitz

oh yeah people. forgot to ask how was the party. sorry abang abang sekalian, hamba kerja la.. you know the newspaper industry will crumble if i don't go to work rite?? blink* blink* haha.. i know i know, please don't curse me. Anyways CONGRATULATIONS TO MY DEAR COUS!!!!! I'M SO JEALOUS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PARIS!!!!!!! THE CITY OF LOVE MY DEAR! Congrats Sasi!.....WE'RE SOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!

Party is confirmed !!!

3rd annual bbq par - tee !!!

Every1 is invited !!! u can bring ur frenz or spouse.

date : april 21st 2007 (saturday)
time : 7.30 onwards
venue:
m.s. prem's residence
lot 521, jalan khalsa,
off jalan ipoh, batu 3 1/2, kl
(near dato' samy vellu house/near chong wah secondray school)
tell: 012-6088 743 (prem) , 017-3916760 (sasi)

featuring 4 short films : ( screening time : 8.30pm)

1) Sasitharan Rajoo 's "SINGGAM" (special jury award - BMW Shorties)
2) Abu Baker Siddiq's "BLACK BOX" (submitted to steven spielberg's short film competition)
3) M.S. Prem's "ANGEL"
4) T. Sathiya's "ONCE AT THE SUMMIT" (kodak short film finalist)

BE THERE !!!

next reunion...

i think our next reunion should be on the day of 'SIVAJI: the boss' release as v did for Kamal's 'VETAIYADU VELAIYADU'.

what u guy's opinion?

anyway, sasi, baker and i 'r goin 2 hav BBQ party soon, sumwhere this month (mayb april 21st), so all 'REAL REELS' r cordially invited! V just completed our short films and on the bbq party, v'll screen it. this our 3rd bbq party. The correct place, time and date will be confirmed later.

hope u guys/gals can make it.

Kissed 11 times, finally fainted

Stunt master Jacquard Thangam is making a movie titled 'Surya'.

His son Vijaya Chiranjeevi is taking up the lead role and this is his first film.
Keerthi Chawla is pairing with him and the main subject of the movie is that the hero will kiss the heroine who used to be talkative.

Keerthi is highly experienced in being kissed whereas Vijaya Chiranjeevi is quite shy to give a kiss to the girl as his father was standing nearby.

Vijay kissed Keerthi, but the director took re-shot for about 11 times and after giving away the 11th kiss Vijay fainted.

'Soda' was splashed on his face and after coming back to normal Vijay felt shy to look at the face of Keerthi whereas Keerthi stood firm as if nothing has happened.

Sivaji ticket is for sale for Rs 1600

Sivaji, the movie from AVM and starred by Rajini is going to be the most gossiped movie on the financial matters.

Initially it was told that the movie is making millions of Rupees through sales to film distributors though out the world, is now again has a similar news. This time its about the cinema theater ticket for the movie. Rajini fans are selling the club ticket for Rs. 1600 per ticket which will allow 20 persons to view the movie within 5 days from the date of release.

The 1600 rupees token will be given only to Rajini's fan clubs and for the ticket it is calculated as Rs. 1000 and the remaining Rs 600 will be kept for club's fund.

The movie is planned to be released by April 12th in about 300 cinema halls and already 500 copies of the movie is ready.

M.Night Syamalan's Next Film - The Happening

Planet earth takes revenge in Shyamalan's next

For all the ways human beings have exploited the earth, the planet will take its revenge in Hollywood director Manoj Night Shyamalan’s next movie.Titled ‘The Happening’, the movie will be made under the production house 20th Century Fox.

Reports have it that Shyamalan will co-produce the film with Sam Mercer and Barry Mendel. The team has previously produced Shyamalan’s Oscar-nominated ‘The Sixth Sense’, ‘Unbreakable’, ‘Signs’, ‘The Village’ and ‘Lady in the Water’.According to the reports, ‘The Happening’ is about a family on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity.At the centre of the movie’s story will be a husband-wife and their kid.The movie's budget is expected to be around $57 million. It is likely to be shot in Philadelphia.

‘The Happening’ is slated to release in August 2008.Shyamalan’s career has been on the downslide of late. His last movie ‘Lady in the Water’ was labeled one of the worst films in America last year.

All the very best MNS

I will be kissed only by John Abraham

Bipasha Basu, who looted the hearts and souls of Tamil fans by her glamorous appearance in the movie Sachin, says she will not give French kiss to any other man in this universe other than John who is her boy friend.

When she was approached by the producers and directors to act in a movie which had scene of kissing, she refused to accept the offer. She says "Even though kissing is a good, I decided a year back that I will not kiss any other guy other than John."

Dhanush, Nayantara come together

The debutant director Jawahar who has worked as Selvaraghavan's assistant, will be directing Dhanush and Nayantara in his first film.

Seems like father-in-law and son-in-law end up with the same heroines one way or the other because Nayantara played Rajini's sweetheart in Chandramukhi and all of us know about Shriya having acted with both of them too. Dhanush's much awaited film Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram is all set for release in May. Meanwhile, the shooting for Dhanush's Polladhavan had commenced a few days ago in Chennai.

Make Money by surfing and stay online

JOIN NOW

I recently joined AGLOCO because of a friend recommended it to me. I am now promoting it to you because I like the idea and I want you to share in what I think will be an exciting new Internet concept.

AGLOCO’s story is simple:

Do you realize how valuable you are? Advertisers, search providers and online retailers are paying billions to reach you while you surf. How much of that money are you making? NONE!

AGLOCO thinks you deserve a piece of the action.

AGLOCO collects money from those companies on behalf of its members. (For example, Google currently pays AOL 10 cents for every Google search by an AOL user. And Google still has enough profit to pay $1.6 billion dollars for YouTube, an 18-month old site full of content that YouTube’s users did not get paid for!

AGLOCO will work to get its Members their share of this and more.

AGLOCO is building a new form of online community that they call an Economic Network. They are not only paying Members their fair share, but they’re building a community that will generate the kind of fortune that YouTube made. But instead of that wealth making only a few people rich, the entire community will get its share.

What's the catch? No catch - no spyware, no pop-ups and no spam - membership and software are free and AGLOCO is 100% member owned. Privacy is a core value and AGLOCO never sells or rents member information.
So do both of us a favor: Sign up for AGLOCO right now! If you use this link to sign up, I automatically get credit for referring you and helping to build AGLOCO.

http://www.agloco.com/r/BBCF7390

Sasi's 'SINGGAM'

Friends!

Our Sasi the fun have directed short film for BMW short film competition and title of the film is 'SINGGAM'. Why Singgam and what's all about? Watch it and you will know why he name it as 'singgam'

I watched just now and already vote for it. So, friends pls watch and vote for our makke Sasi's film.

Synopsis:

This film revolves around a teenage boy traveling back to Masai, Johor, who faces many challenges on the way. Through his travels, he meets a man who makes him realise the meaning of love and how youngsters these days fall into it far too blindly. Who is the that man.....watch it!

Good job sasi and all the very best to you.

www.bmwshorties.com.my

Best Regards
Balan

Ban Fast Food Ads

Banning cigarrette ads never stop people from smoking , did it? So how does banning fast food ads can stop people from eating fast food.....Don't know where this people got the idea...only GOD knows. Government spending almost 20mil every year to make people to stop smoking with the 'TAK NAK ' campaign and now don't know how much they going to spend for this fast food campaign.

Soon they will ban mamak stalls as well.....

Wake up guys!

Source frm : Vs

SUPER STAR OF TOMORROW

Ilayathalapthy Vijay is next super star. K.Balachander already mention in of the cine function that Vijay is waiting super star. But so far nothing is comes from Rajini site. Though he has some of Rajini's quality to entertain audience with his comedy , dance , style and acting but only time will decide that. Infact I am Vijay's fan too.......In my opinion Vijay need to work with top director of cos Ace Director Mani Ratnam and Techyman Shankar to proof that he is good actor.

Watch this video from youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVXV_COewqw

All the best Vijay!

Short Drama Making Competition

We are organizing a �Short Drama Making Competition� called �Skrip Ke Skrin�, which will be broadcasted in our local TV station.

And with great pleasure we would like to invite young adventurous film / drama enthusiast that has great interest to broaden their knowledge and skill and at the same time win cash prizes to be part of this one of a kind programme.

The finalists will get to film their own short dramas and stand a chance to win cash prizes!Who can participate and how to participate? Check out the details below.
1. Eligible participants: Malaysians, 18 to 25 yrs old
2. Materials to prepare: A 1-page (A4 size) proposal for a short drama (20 to 30 minutes).

Theme: Any
Language: Bahasa Malaysia
Please send your entries to: skripkeskrin@gmail.com
Dateline : 12th March 2007
Need more details or explanation?
Please email us at skripkeskrin@gmail.com
Thank you.Y
Y TangFor Manja Films S/B
Posted By : Email : skripkeskrin@gmail.comScreen play writing course


-->

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Profile: A Samad Said

A Samad Said (born 9th April 1935; also known as Hilmy, Isa Dahmuri, Jamil Kelana, Manja, Mesra, and Shamsir) is a unique voice in the realm of Malay-language literature. From poems, short stories and novels, to plays and critical essays, his contributions to each genre stand apart from the rest in their creativity and innovation -- bridging the work of those in the ASAS 50 movement and heralding the arrival of a next generation of writers. Read More

Thaamirabharani

Director:
Hari

Artists:
Vishal, Banu, Prabhu, Nadiya

On a flashback mode for the most part, `Thaamirabharani' is the story of Bharani (Vishal) whose regard for his uncle Saravanan (Prabhu) and love for his family is so great that he will not brook the slightest insult to them. And as his family is always at loggerheads with another wealthy home, headed by Vijayakumar, peace and tranquillity seem impossible. Murder and mayhem result in incarceration for Bharani. Actually `Thaamira ... ' opens with the villagers waiting for Bharani who is returning from prison after four years in prison.

Hari has a few interesting twists and suspenseful sequences in the narration. The story is not new but it is gripping. However, as the violence Vishal wreaks out on others is unacceptable by any standard, and his insensitivity towards the heroine (Banu) that brings public disrepute to her annoys you, his remorse doesn't make much impact. Kanja Karuppu's comedy track only slows the pace. No humour there.

Sprightly and cheerful or serious and emotional Vishal's acting skills are surely improving. Action comes easily to Vishal but it's time he moves on and begins to think beyond sickles, guns and fisticuffs. A picture of dignity throughout, Prabhu sparkles. His eyes and body language are those of a seasoned performer. Another plump heroine finds her way into Tamil filmdom. Banu has an expressive face and shines in the heavy scenes. But exposure shouldn't be her line, till she sheds the flab. Nadiya comes back looking trim, prim and proper, and her versatility glows. Her role of a rich, uppity woman has no novelty, yet she emerges unscathed.

The high decibel level of actors such as Vijayakumar, and the noisy re-recording (Why so Yuvan?) are deterrents of `Thamirabharani.' Also why `compose' a duet on the lines of L. R. Easwari's popular bhakti refrain `Karpoora Nayakiyae'? Yuvan Shankar Raja disappoints. Na. Muthukumar's lyric capability stands out in the `Vaartha Onnu' number.

The co-ordinated movements of dancers for group songs stand testimony to the choreographers' (Kalyan? Dinesh? Shobi?) imagination. Both camera (Priyan) and art (Kadhir) deserve special mention. So does V.T. Vijayan's editing.

Vishal's heroism pales into insignificance, when he bashes up people both with and without reason.

The opening scene, where he chases a train and nearly kills half a dozen men in the bargain, all because they dared to raise their voices against his uncle, is a classic case of storm in a teacup! Even for a hot-headed person it's bit too much.

Vadivelu as Spiderman

Spiderman is a heroic character and always be very serious fighting against evils and villains. Spiderman used to be very helping nature and will be present wherever there need a help.

Spiderman is a super power with lots of unique features built in him making him different from other humans.

Vadivelu has taken so many characters, now he will appear like a Spiderman. This Vadivelu Spiderman will be doing only comedy. No extra powers, only similar dress, no fight.

Vadivelu has taken this role for the movie Viyapaari. Viyapaari, even though it has three girls showing their body almost fully to the extent of vulgarity, now tries to change its image and highlight comedy theme, will issue tickets having Spiderman sticker in it.

SJ Surya Gatal

It was told that S J Surya touched Malavika's private parts during shooting of the song 'Kosu kadiuthu' for the movie Viyapaari.

'During the shooting at a bungalow on the East Coast road, S J Surya misbehaved with Malavika by touching her private areas while performing dance movements. As Malavika used very harsh language against Surya, Surya apologized for his behavior and the shooting was finished with different dance movements' This news is false claims of the cine technician who claims he was present during the shooting.

Another one says 'Nothing of this sort ever happened, and its a regular strategy which Malavika adopts to be present in the news always'.
When Malavika was contacted she refused to give details. S J Surya refuses this news.

"Nerup-pilaamayaaa pukaiyum"

Simbu Love Story

Simbhu and Nayan were dating while she was acting with him for his movie.
She got a expensive car as a gift from a Telugu actor for working closely with him and this news reached Simbhu and Simbhu questioned her on this. Nayan escaped from Simbhu and declared she is not in LOVE with Simbhu and all her relationship that she might have had with him is broken.

Shocked and upset over this, Simbhu moved to US and then to UK and reached Chennai only by the middle of January 2007.

Recently photos showing Nayan in close relationship with Simbhu appeared in many websites. This sent shock waves in Cine industry.

There were rumors that Nayan committed suicide because of the photo issue. But she was actually happily participating in Telugu shooting at Hyderabad.

Suddenly from Hyderabad she went to Kerala canceling all her shooting schedules.
The reason behind her sudden decision was told as that Simbhu went to Hyderabad to meet and discuss with her to compromise her, but Nayan does not want to meet this guy. Simbhu actually tried to meet her at the shooting spot and as she refused he went to the hotel where she was staying and as Nayan does not want to meet him, even without visiting the hotel, she escaped to Kerala and she is now with her parents.

To be noted is she is not visiting Chennai after her dispute with Simbhu and she even never flies over TN.

When we contacted Nayan for her comments, she simply said "No answers for gossips". When Simbhu was contacted for getting clarification, he says "If I would like to meet her, then I might have done this long before when I returned from US/UK. I have no need to meet her and seek for a compromise."

New upgrade

If you guys have notice our blog template have changed. This because of i have now upgrade our blog to new version which is Blogger Beta. So the old template have to changed with this template for temporally.

So look like our blog dah jatuh sakit ready... no one contributing anything ready.

Must be everyone is busy.... anyhow if guys have time just say something in the blog.

since this year have started we haven't have any meeting. Hope that we can meet soon.

Yuvan Vs Prakash

Yuvan Shankar Raja son of our maestro Ilaiyaraja and G.V Prakash nephew of our isaipuyal A.R. Rahman. G.V Prakash introduced as a music director by our Director Shankar & Vasanta Balan for their movie 'Veyil' and the songs was superb especially the 'Urugutheh'. G.V's second movie is 'Oram Po' and happen to listen to the songs y'day in one of my friends car and the songs are great...great composition. All the young directors always go for Yuvan for their music and now they have G.V Prakash as a second option.

Yuvan, you already have a strong competitor.....watch out man!

Will he take over A.R.R place?....we don't know yet, let time decide that.

GURU

-----------------------------------------
Nayagan + Ambani story + Aviator = GURU
-----------------------------------------

Anyway, i really enjoyed GURU more than the moronic 'pokkiri'. it was insipiring. below is an article from Indiaglitz.com
_---------------------------------------------------------

Mani Rathnam has lived up to his reputation of being touted as the country's best director. His Guru, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, has managed to collect huge revenue and also has won the director greater accolades.

The Hindi version of Guru opened worldwide last week and has been collecting huge revenue wherever it was screened.

Mani Rathnam, considered the master of mixing commercial and mass cinema, is now going places.

The director was reportedly approached by a couple of Hollywood production houses to do a film for them, but he meekly rejected those offers.

Guru, loosely based on the life of business tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani, is expected to win several awards for Mani Rathnam and his team. Abhishek's excellent performance, Rahman's catchy musical score and Rajeev Menon’s cinematography have been winning appreciations.

However, Mani Rathnam is his usual self, ready to commence work for his next movie, Lajjo, starring Aamir Khan.

`Non-Malaysian' films get no recognition !

Malaysian-made Tamil film is not considered as Malaysian movie. v certainly living in racist country!!!! read the following NST article.


`Non-Malaysian' films get recognition
by Amir Muhammad

NST. 18 Jan 2007.

TWO days ago, I attended a lunchtime ceremony organised by the National Film
Development Agency (Finas). It was to launch a training programme, script competition
and to acknowledge Malaysian films that have won international awards in 2006.

These are the films that received certificates for achieving that much-vaunted
"international recognition" :

1. Bilut, directed by Bade Azmi
2. Love Conquers All, by Tan Chui Mui
3. Rain Dogs, by Ho Yuhang
4. Company of Mushrooms, by Tan Chui Mui
5. Tuesday Be My Friend, by Chris Chong
6. Adults Only, by Yeo Joon Han
7. Majidee, by Azharr Rudin

Now here's a thing. Aside from the first and last titles, all the films happen to be in
Chinese. But they are shot locally with local talent. (Rain Dogs did, however, receive money
from a Hong Kong company.)

Only Bilut and Majidee are in Malay.

The fact that local films are now being made in languages other than Malay should be
something worth celebrating.

We should eventually even get films in Iban, Kadazan and other languages not normally
represented on our screens.

It's important because there are so many stories we have not yet told.

True, the box-office returns are paltry: The most successful local film not in Malay has
been Spinning Gasing in 2001, which grossed RM484,000. Compare this to last year's
takings, in which 15 Malay films managed to make more than that.

The quality or nationality of a film shouldn't depend on its language. That is why Finas, as
a public body, did well to acknowledge these triumphs.

But in other aspects, bureaucracy has been slow to respond to changes. Films that are not
at least 70 per cent in Malay are not deemed as "Malaysian films" according to the Finas
Act and the National Film Policy.

This could just be simple semantics if it didn't have financial implications as well.

When local films in non-Malay languages are screened in cinemas, they don't get the 25
per cent tax exemption that Malay-language films get.

Another stipulation is that these films have to be shot mainly in Malaysia. Otherwise, they
are classified as foreign films!

The funny thing is, there have been a few films that certainly didn't have 70 per cent Malay
dialogue and yet managed to get their tax exemption. These include Persona Non Grata
and Qaisy & Laila, both produced by Nizarman.

If someone were hardworking enough to count the dialogue in both films, they will find
that English accounts for at least 40 per cent of each. Is English a more Malaysian
language than Chinese?

Another film, Gong, produced by Grand Brilliance but shot entirely in Indonesia, managed
to get the tax break too. Is Indonesia considered local soil?

With these inconsistencies in mind, why is it that local films shot entirely in Malaysia in
Chinese are still not considered "Malaysian"?

Full disclosure: I am a partner in Da Huang Pictures which produced Love Conquers All and
Company of Mushrooms. I was there to collect the awards on behalf of Tan Chui Mui, who
is now in Europe.

When Mui invited me to join her company, she did ask whether we should change the
name. But I didn't think it was necessary. After all, companies with names like Metrowealth
and Grand Brilliance are considered oh-so-Malaysian. So why not Da Huang Pictures?

GURU of Indian Cinema

Filmmaker and Dil Se dialogue writer Tigmanshu Dhulia talks up what gives Mani Ratnam that extra edge.


Is filmmaking an art form or a money-making exercise? Unfortunately, Indian mainstream cinema can only be said to be about “filmmaking in the time of cholera”. 2006 was a boom year for the industry financially, but as I see it, the movies released in 2006 were successful but not sensible. The only two which both scored at the box office and were worth watching were Lage Raho Munnabhai and Rang De Basanti. The rest were, to put it plainly, frivolous crap.

Is it just me or is there actually a problem with our films? Has audience taste sunk? Or, since the people must visit the temples of modern India once a week and watch whatever is offered, is it the multiplex formula that’s responsible for the decline in story-telling? Big questions and not ones that can easily be answered here; in any case, this piece is not about the demise of good filmmaking in India but about the only filmmaker who is still trying to hold high the spirit of cinema: Mani Ratnam.

Mani is an auteur in the fullest sense of the word. I am not a critic but a filmmaker and I know what it takes to make a film that is original, personal and not frivolous. He’s a doer and a workaholic but then so am I and so are many other directors. What then is it that makes this man so unique?

I think Mani holds all the cards there are in cinema because he is someone who knows how to use the tricks of the trade as well as his own desires. His body of work today clearly indicates that he has grown beyond hits and flops. He is India’s Martin Scorsese — some of his films might fail commercially, but he commands enormous respect from technicians, actors and those in the field. Anyone who wants to polish his skills as an artist should work with the man.

Let’s talk about his craft. Mani’s trademark is attractive realism, his films stand mid-way between commercial and alternative cinema, he is real but not boring, he takes a moral stand but is never preachy, whatever he does is done with great precision, determination and passion. You will never see shoddy camerawork or slack editing in any of his films and nobody shoots songs better than he does.

His central protagonists are generally drawn from the middle class; his heroes and heroines are usually people displaced from familiar settings, sent out into an alien atmosphere. This theme and its attendant conflicts dominate most of his films, from Mauna Ragam and Nayakan to Roja, Bombay, Dil Se and now Guru.

Mani is also known for his strong heroines. Never dependent on the hero, they take decisions, are active and drive the plot forward. But the area which interests me most is the way he handles romance. Sheer magic! We all do romantic scenes, but Mani’s are a combination of vulnerability and sexual undertone and seem utterly free of artificiality. The actors look comfortable and real because they are able to surrender completely to the director. It’s a respect Mani’s earned not by being a powerful filmmaker but a talented one.

I have had the privilege of working closely with Mani as a dialogue writer in Dil Se, his first Hindi film. I met him first with my guru Shekhar Kapoor shortly after the release of Bombay. I did not like Bombay too much and the first instruction Shekhar gave me before we were about to meet him was: “Don’t say anything about his films, he hates criticism.” My enthusiasm crushed, I had to sit quietly and watch the two friends talk about life. The next time I met Mani professionally was when my dear friend Shaad Ali introduced me to him and he offered me Dil Se to write. I jumped at the offer but remembered my guru’s instruction, and so we discussed world cinema and cricket but never Mani’s films.

Even though I am well-acquainted with the entire repertoire of his work, and with a bit of the person as well, I must say, however, that I still do not understand where Mani stands politically. Till Guru happened, I used to think he was more Left-leaning; his stand in Dil Se and in Kannathil Muthamittal shows that he has a fine political sensibility and great compassion for human feelings. But Guru? A Leftist leaves Aishwarya stranded and she eventually marries a capitalist? A man is accused of rank corruption and he gets off with just a speech? As a fan, I wish Mani had handled this the way The Godfather does, giving us someone who is both a family man and on the other side of the law.

Mani deals with real issues and makes fine films out of them. The moments are wonderful and the performances great, but when dealing with reality, one must take a stand. Sitting in the audience after Guru one feels like saying, “Sir, I know you give enormously to your work, but since you’ve shown us the path, we expect more. We’re waiting for someone like you to explode so that something inside us gets a push — push the button, sir, there’s no-one else to do it, the Govind Nihalanis and the Shyam Benegals have become too complacent. If it comes from you, we won’t just stand and watch, we’ll be freed to react.”
And, that said, I’d add, “I know how much you hate criticism. So, let me wind up this piece and say adieu.”

Apart from being a profound filmmaker, Mani is a strong human being. He is not afraid of taking up subjects that would scare any other director — Bombay is a clear example, as is Iruvar, loosely based on Jayalalithaa, MGR and Karunanidhi’s lives. Very few people are aware that he was attacked after he made Bombay. A man threw a bomb at his house one morning and Mani, who was in his slippers and reading the newspaper, ran after him and gave him a good chase. After that incident, he was given security, but he always hated being under guard.

Mani is a very reserved person and people at his office speak in whispers. He’s a non-smoker, an occasional beer drinker, an avid sports enthusiast and an eggetarian (though I remember taking him to Kake da Hotel in Delhi once, where he had a helping of their glorious butter chicken). It is said that even after he had suffered a stroke during the making of Yuva, his enthusiasm was so high that he wanted to have a video assist from the sets cabled through to his room so he could continue directing the film. That is the difference between us mortals and him. We love cinema, he is mad about it.

My salute to the guru of Indian cinema. Keep up the good work, Mani sir.

Balan Ji on Mani Ratnam's GURU

Hi!

I happen to watch Mani Ratnam's GURU on (12 Jan 2007) first day itself in Mid Valley but second show.I don't know about others but I personaly love the movie not because I am Mani Ratnam freak but I simply love the subject and the way the story have been told and the film have been shot.Just because I love the movie very much, I went again to Mid Valley to watch the movie for second time and the best part is someone that I never expect bought the ticket for me....free ticket who don't want.

Abhishek bachchan did a very good job in the film, he acted very well not to forget about Mithun Chakraborty's acting which is very fine though this two people can't beat our Kamal. Nothing much to say about A.R.Rahman because have always have something special to his special man until hollywood dirctor wanted to use his songs to Mani for their movies especially Bombay's team music and Dil Se's Chayya Chayya.
Rajiv Menon after Bombay join again with Mani for GURU.

GURU a film that all of us should watch and it's worth watching.

Mani's next movie.....LAJJO

Our ace director and producer Mani Ratnam alreday decide his next film. His next film will be 'Lajjo' with Kareea Kapoor and Amir Khan and (rumors indicate Madhavan or Abhishek Bachchan will do a comeo role in that movie). Boney Kapoor will produce this film.

"Lajjo is based on Ismat Chughtai's short story 'Lajjo', which is all
about a grumpy, lonesome, middle-aged man who is being seduced his
young, sexy and bold (but poor) housekeeper - until he eventually
marries her and their problems start from there.

The story revolves around a bachelor Mirza sahib (played by Aamir
Khan), who has not seen or felt a woman's presence in his life since
his mother passed away. He lives his predictable life running a
general provisions store and going to brothels-until the arrival of
Laajo(Kareena Kapoor). Lajo is a young orphan who has survived by
selling her body to men who have abused her. She is taken to Mirza's
house by a friend who says he should have a house maid. Lajjo falls in
love with the house, and the fact there is no other woman there,
refuses to leave even as Mirza sahib is calculating the unnecessary
expense, and struggling with the uncomfortable thought of having a
woman in his house. Lajjo prevails and transforms the house. Mirza
first falls for her cooking and then for her charms. He stops going to
brothels, and each day is now full of excitement and anticipation.
Even sales increase at the store when Lajjo walks in with his lunch
box in her sexy lehnga(long skirt). Then possessiveness begins to rear
its ugly head as Mirza starts getting jealous of all the male
attention Lajjo evokes and decides to marry her much against her
protests. Lajjo is true to Mirza and doesn't think she needs to be
married to be his.

Marriage predictably changes things. The sexy Lajjo is now made to
wear traditional clothes -the freedom that she so enjoys is curbed
along with the attire. The traits that Mirza found sexy in her are now
considered obscene and to discover that brazen sensuality Mirza used
to find at home he has now begun frequenting the brothels again.

Lajjo finally loses her patience and looks elsewhere for love-in the
arms of a young man(rumors indicate Madhavan or Abhishek Bachchan to
play this part) who often pretended to fly kites over her courtyard
just to ogle at her. The duo is caught red handed by Mirza who beats
her up and then divorces her a few days later she walks back into the
house as his maid and things go back to where they were before the
ties of matrimony tore them asunder!"

Let's see. It looks interesting.

Mani Ratnam - SMART PRODUCER

Undisputedly, Maniratnam is the highly talented & Most admired director of this generation of directors in India. In a world of Indian Cinema ruled by meaningless stories with 6songs + 4fights, he created a genre for himself with a blend of art & commercial cinema, thus reaching a wider range of audience. Not only the movie buffs but the common audience too can experience the magic of screenplay & rich technical values in his movies.

Here is the new facet of this MBA Graduate from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai

Guru with highest paid cast & crew like Abhishek bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, AR Rahman, Vidya Balan, Mallika sherawat with some periodical sets & foreign locales etc. Maniratnam produced this trilingual film with a budget of Rs.12Crores, less than the budget of any Bollywood movie featuring the above stars & less than the Publicity budget for any big Bollywood production!

Here are the numbers from Mumbai/Chennai trade circles showing how smart producer he is!

Exhibition rights (Except Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu) Rs.17Crores(Ad Labs)
TV Broadcasting Rights Rs.5Crores(Star TV)
Audio Rights Rs.3Crores(Sony Music)
Telugu Rights Rs.1.5Crores(Includes Hindi rights in AP)
Tamil Rights Rs.1.5Crores(Includes Hindi rights in TN) (approx numbers from AP&TN)
Home Video VCD DVD etc (unknown)

Madras talkies made a cool table profit of Rs.16Crores+ before release, a number NO other South Indian Producer can imagine prior to release !

Contrary to trade pundits predictions, This critically acclaimed film is doing rocking business all over India and even Overseas. Guru posts an extraordinary opening overseas in America, grossing $843,200 its opening weekend from Jan 12-15,Ahead of the blockbusters Krrish ($643,000), Rang De Basanti ($701,666) & Don ($804,388 ).

In India too the movie Opened very strong in Metros, like Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Gujarat, West Bengal & to 40-50% response in other circles. Not only on the weekend, On Monday too Guru collections are strong in the above mentioned circles, declaring it as a Decent hit or a Super hit, Exact range will be known by in few more days or by this weekend.

Though the trade story is not that impressive in Telugu & Tamil. The Buyers of Telugu & Tamil versions are quite happy as they bagged the rights at a reasonable price & the package also includes the Hindi rights of their areas. A Happy ending for Every one involved with the Film! Kudos to Genius Filmmaker!

It is noted that Chennai’s Biggest Multiplex Sathyam Cinemas are the sole buyer of Guru (Hindi, Tamil & Telugu) in Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh.

As trade pundits predicted earlier, the Success is not Entirely from Overseas & Multiplex audience alone. Here is a new crowd called Urban audience, the rapidly growing section of the Most happening Economy, are the key for Guru’s stupendous Success. Right movie at right time by the Master technician!

What is your next plan sir........

Go a head

So if five of us only going then... let it be. if keep on postponing all our plan then we never gone achieve any of it. So keep to the plan... Just go there...

If five ppl only then don’t need for big bungalow lah just get a apartment also enuf..

TRIP

Kaige!

Now we only have 5 members who is confirm coming to PD trip...We need another 5 atleast so that we have RM500. I don't think Shobana wii be coming if there is no other gal to company her. How bout Kanna , Pulen & Sri? I would suggest if necessary we postponed our trip to someother day or what else WE PANCHATHANTIRAM GANG JUST GO AHEAD. Think about it Kaige....

RR BBQ PARTY

Hi Friends!

RR BBQ PARTY CONFIRM Details as per :

Date : 20 & 21 Jan 2007 (2 days 1 night)Leaving on Saturday morning
Venue : PD private bunglo
Cost for the gathering: RM50 per person


Who Is Coming?

1. Unggal Nayagan Sasi de fun
2. Eakunar Sigiram Thailaivar MS Prem
3. Balan
4. VT Vijian & B. Lenin yeh Vellum Vetaiyadum Rajin
5. Shoba
The rest pls confirm before 12 Jan 2007. We expect atleast 10 people....more people more fun.

Cheers!
B'

This is a call for all Indie Directors in Malaysia!

( this a repost from Malaysian Indian Cinema @ yahoo group)

This is a call for all Indie Directors in Malaysia!

My name is Michael and I'm working with Popiah Pictures. Popiah has
been commissioned by a local TV station to look for as many Local
Indie Directors as possible.

The Local TV station wants to showcase the works (via Telemovies) of
Local Indie Directors throughout the whole of 2007.

We will require you to send us a proposal comprising of the
following:

Synopsis
Script
Your budget which must not exceed rm 50 K
Production Timeline & Production Team Name-list (can be tentative)
Proposed Cast list (can be tentative for now)
Your CV
Your Showreel

Once you send us all of the above, it will be screened by the Local
TV station and if you are selected, you will be given rm50K to shoot
your telemovie and Popiah will assist you in any way possible.

If you require more information, please call 03 2141 6878 or 017 699
3715 during normal working hours and ask for me.

Popiah Pictures address is:
225A, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Hope to hear from all of you! Thanks.

Michael.

this funny ....

While visiting India , George Bush is
invited to tea with
Indian President Abdul Kalam.

He asks Kalam what his
leadership philosophy is. He says
that,
it is to surround himself
with intelligent people.

Bush asks how he knows if
they're intelligent.

"I do so by asking them the
right questions," says
Kalam."Allow
me to demonstrate."

Bush watches as Kalam phones
Manmohan Singh and says, "Mr.
Prime Minister, please
answer this question: your mother has
a
child, and your father has a
child, and this child is not
your
brother or sister. Who is
it?"

Manmohan immediately
responds, "It's me, Sir !"

"Correct. Thank you and good-
bye, sir," says Kalam. He hangs
up
and says, "Did you get that,
Mr. Bush?"

Bush nods: "Yes Mr.
President. Thanks a lot. I'll
definitely
be
using that!"

Bush, upon returning to
Washington, decides he'd better put
the
Condoleeza Rice to the test.
Bush summons her to the White
House and says, "Condoleeza,
I wonder if you can answer a
question for me."

"Why, of course, sir. What's
on your mind?"

Bush poses the
question: "Uhh, your mother has a
child, and
your father has a child, and
this child is not your brother
or
your sister. Who is it?"

Rice was puzzled and finally
asks, "Can I think about it and
get back to you?" Bush
agrees, and Rice leaves. Rice
immediately calls a meeting
of senior senators, and they
puzzle
over the question for
several hours, but nobody can come up
with an answer. Finally, in
desperation, Rice calls Colin
Powell and explains the
problem.

"Mr. Powell, your mother has
a child, and your father has a
child, and this child is not
your brother or your sister. Who
is it?"

Powell answers
immediately, "It's me, of course."

Much relieved, Rice rushes
back to the White House, finds
George Bush, and
exclaims, "I know the answer, sir! I
know
who
it is! It's our Colin
Powell!"

And Bush replies in
disgust, "Wrong, its

Manmohan Singh!"

Chit Chat with Mani Ratnam

What is Guru all about?
Guru is relevant for today. It also shows the changes taking place in India. It took a year to make this film.

There are rumors that Guru is based on the life story of Dhirubhai Ambani.
Guru is fiction. It could relate to any entrepreneur who came up in life without any background.

Is Guru a lifetime role for Abhishek Bachchan?
It is too early in his career to call any of his roles as lifetime roles.

Tell us about the role of Aishwarya Rai
She has donned the role of a middle class village girl.

You seem to be stuck with AR Rehman
We enjoy a good working relationship. He likes my films. I like his music. We are happy.

You have the habit of having an item song in every film
I enjoy shooting songs. I love narrating the story by giving it some mood with the help of songs. I make sure that all the songs in the film fit that requirement. The item song in this film comes when three Indian bachelors visit a place in Turkey.

Is Abhishek Bachchan – Aishwarya Rai’s off-screen compatibility a reason to cast them in lead roles of Guru?
No. I cast them because they are good for their respective characters. I do not go by their off-screen relationship.

How do you do the casting?
I have the script ready first. I look at the character, search for the suitable actor/actress, and approach them. If they also like the characters I offer them, they are signed up. Casting is a two-way thing. It should be good for both sides.

There is a rumor that Abhishek requested you to change the date of release from December 2006 to January 2007 because his astrologer predicted good days for him in 2007No. Even if his astrologer tells him, he would not ask me such favors. The movie release process is completely driven by dynamics, which are not related to the issues you mentioned in any way.

Do you like commercial cinema or art cinema?
I love commercial films. I make commercial films. At the same time, I make sure that they are sensible, logical and real. I watched films before entering the industry. I know that it is extremely important to connect with the audience while narrating the story. I always keep in my mind that I should connect to the audience while making any film.

What is the USP (Unique Selling Point) of Guru?
Abhishek Bachchan. He plays a character with a time span of 30 years. He has done wonderful work.

You introduced Aishwarya Rai 10 years ago to the film industry and now she acted in Guru. Do you observe any change in her?10 years back she struggled while speaking in Tamil with me. Now I struggle speaking Hindi with her (giggles). Now she is more mature on the histrionics front.


Did you watch any films recently?
No. I will start watching films from 13 January 2007. (Guru is releasing on 12 January 2007).


What is your next project?
It will be a Hindi film titled Lajjo with Kareena Kapoor.

Real Reels BBQ Party

Hi Friends!

Our RR gathering last year doesn't turn up well due to few factors. So, we thought of another Real Reels gathering plus new year celebration and this gonna be a BBQ party. This is Prem's suggestion and I spoke to him about this two weeks ago. Initially the plan is to have the party in Prem's house itself and later we add another venue that is in PD private Bunglo. Details as per :

Date : 20 (Public Holiday - Awal Muharram) & 21 Jan 2007
Venue : 1st Option Prem's House on 20th Jan 2007 / 2nd option PD private bunglo
Cost for the gathering: RM50 per person


Who Is Coming?

1. Sasi de fun
2. Eakunar Sigiram Thailaivar MS Prem
3. Balan

The rest pls confirm before 12 Jan 2007. We expect atleast 10 people....

Cheers!
B'