KL Menjerit grabs host of awards

KUALA LUMPUR: Tayangan Unggul Sdn Bhd’s KL Menjerit which tells about illegal motor racing among idle youths was named Best Film at the closing ceremony of the 16th Malaysian Film Festival yesterday. 

The movie edged out the first national film Embun for its “simple, realistic and clear storyline”. 

KL Menjerit also collected the main awards for Best Director through Badarudin Azmi, Best Actor (Rosyam Nor), Best Promising Actor (Hasnul Rahmat), Best Promising Actress (Nisdawati) and Best Music Scoring and Sound Effect (Azman Abu Hassan). 

Members of a seven-team jury, headed by chairman Datuk Jins Shamsuddin, were in favour of KL Menjerit for its strength in its presentation, photography and the impressive acting by the main and supporting cast. 

JUBILANT WINNERS: (From left)Izi, Umie Aida, Ellie Suriaty and Rosyam holding their trophies after Malaysian Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur last night.

“The standard of this year's movie was not as expected, as such there was no real challenge. There were also weaknesses in Badarudin’s direction but it was covered by the acting strength of Hasnul, Nisda and Rosyam,” said a director who sat on jury. 

Embun, predicted to sweep the major awards, took home the Best Actress for Umie Aida who played the title role Embun and Best Supporting Actor (Izi Yahya). 

The other 15 awards that were announced at the festival’s closing ceremony that was telecast live over TV1 last night included: 

Best Music Score (Embun), Best Editor (Gerak Khas the Movie 2), Best Screenplay (KL Menjerit), Best Cinematography (Embun), Best Story (KL Menjerit) and Best Supporting Actress (Ellie Suriaty Omar – Soalnya Siapa?).  

There were 33 awards given out at this year’s festival. The first batch of 18 awards was already announced during the festival launching last Thursday. 

Rosyam, who gave an excellent portrayal of “mat motor” Shaharul in KL Menjerit, said: “Winning this award does not mean I am better than the rest. I am just luckier.” 

Rosyam, who was up against the likes of Afdlin Shauki, Awie, Yusry of KRU and Aqasha, said he never thought he would win as “I’ve always felt that my acting is not award-winning material. 

“The more I watched my movies, the more irritated I get. I see a lot of flaws and it drives me to do better. I always compare myself with other actors and I feel so inadequate. These days, I get my family to comment on my acting - in this way, I get a more honest account,” said Rosyam.