I went to watch Seniman Bujang Lapok at the National Musuem with my poly mates last Friday. It was part of the (Not) Under The Banyan Tree: Open Air Cinema Festival. What an awesome experience. I was huge fan of P. Ramli when I was much younger and watching this again rekindled more than nostalgia, it rekindled my belief that local film-making can produce marvelous, genius, breathtaking works on celluloid. Far from being a majority Malay crowd, I saw lots of Chinese, Indian and even Caucasian faces in the audience roaring along with laughter. Sure, there were certain jokes that may have been lost in translation when reading the subtitles, but I get the feeling the movie was appreciated wholeheartedly nevertheless. It spoke to the universality and evergreen nature of P. Ramli’s works.
As I grew older, I grew jaded with the quality of local cinema. I don’t think I can be blamed for this. The local mainstream movie scene (outside the arthouse) has seriously gone to shit. I mean, this movie, (and not just this movie, Ramli’s entire filmography speaks volumes) filmed circa the 1950s was wittier, funnier and more progressive in it’s craft than anything I’ve seen over the last decade in local cinema. I’m not sure there will ever be anyone who can ever match the brilliance of someone like P. Ramli in Singapore, but for a brief moment, I’m filled with hope because I’m reminded that it’s not impossible.
Oh and on an unrelated note, I totally want to do more open air movie screenings in the future. We did a little picnic with mats and homemade food and stuff which I thought was a whole load of fun. Thanks to Ayu and Wani mainly for doing all that. Turned out to be a blast. The National Musuem totally has a great list of classic films thats going to screen soon. Check it out yo, and buzz me if anyone’s interested in getting your silver screen fills (not) under the banyan tree.
