Berlin
Mukhsin
(Malaysia)
A Grand Brilliance Sdn. Bhd presentation of a Grand Brilliance, MHZ
Film production. (International sales: Focus Films, Hong Kong.)
Produced by Ahmad Puad Onah. Executive producers, Rosihan Zain, Rosnah
Kassim.
Directed, written by Yasmin Ahmad.
With:
Sharifah Aryana Syed Zainal Rashid, Muhammad Syafie bin Naswip,
Sharifah Aleya Syed Zainal Rashid, Irwan Iskandar bin Abidin, Abidah
Noor binti Muhammad Omar, Rafiq Ashidiq bin Abdull Aziz, Muhammad Zaili
bin Sulan, Norlela binti Yahmad, Ng. Choo Seong, Sallehuddin bin Abu
Bakar, Mislina binti Mustaffa.
(Malay, English, Mandarin dialogue)
Geared toward the adolescent set (think Judy Blume), "Mukhsin" is a
charmer displaying all the strengths and weaknesses of fast-rising
helmer Yasmin Ahmad. Few filmmakers rep close-knit families better than
she does, and with her usual core of thesps, she's a master at breezy,
warm-hearted and sexually open repartee. Integrating sideplots is still
a challenge, but there's little doubt that Ahmad will one day soon have
a crossover hit on her hands. Until then, "Mukhsin's" story of first
love should do bang-up biz at home with a respectable showing at tween
fests.
When 12-year-old Mukhsin (Muhammad Syafie bin Naswip)
moves to town during school vacation, self-confident tomboy Orked
(Sharifah Aryana Syed Zainal Rashid) takes him under her wing, and the
two develop a bond fostered by her welcoming family. His home life, by
contrast, is a mess, though Ahmad fails to develop this, and editing
needs a hand. Pic is at its best when in the bosom of the family: Wry
Sharifah Aleya Syed Zainal Rashid (real-life sis of the Orked actress
but here playing her mom) is, as always, an unadulterated delight.
Uneven sound needs some cleaning up.
Camera (color), Keong Low; editor, Affandi Jamaluddin; music, Ahmad
Hashim, Inom Yon; art director, Zaini Abdul Latiff; costume designer,
Muhammad Sharum bin Kamaruddin. Reviewed at Berlin Film Festival
(Generation Kplus), Feb. 10, 2007. Running time: 96 MIN.
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