Selubung

Synopsis

The story is about a group of Malaysian students that studied abroad in their efforts to aid refugees of Palestine. Mastura, the main character returned from her studies led her life as a independent women while her best friend, EJ did not complete her studies and married to Brother Musa a leader of the religious extremist group. Upon returned to Malaysia, Mastura joined Rescaid, a volunteer organization aiding the refugees of Palestine. While working on helping the refugees, she fell in love with Kamal, her boss and a divorcee who also shares her vision. The campaign run by Rescaid was a huge success raising fund for the refugees. However there was a group of opposing extremist that started planting bomb on Rescaid branches. A bombing occured in Malaysia and almost killed Mastura but her determination stand strong even after the tragedy.

Review

I was enjoying the parallel editing of the film as it creates a lot of suspense and expectations. Unlike Transformers, I actually need to fully focus on the film to figure out what is the film telling. Examples of scenes I find interesting are especially the flashbacks within a flashback where EJ/Mastura's flashback on what deteriorates their friendship with Hani's flashback on the details of it. Also, I find Mastura's character representation in the film interesting especially when compared with EJ who followed the traditional path. It was not an usual sight for women to be depicted in a more powerful manner especially in 1992.

The film was highly Islam related from the very start of the film. Most(if not all) of the character are Muslims and the places, papers and media shown are all Islam related. It is very Islamic-inclined although the film does depict women in a manner that any Muslimin shouldn't be such as being smarter than the males. It shows that under the influence of culture, the islam-revival and in a modern society, women can find a balance of all 3 at the same time.

Mastura was the perfect example of women the director trying to portray in the film, she is a free-spirit, modern, independent and confident but still stand strong for her culture and religion.

On the other hand EJ whom followed the path of her religion, also ended up in a similar manner as Mastura. Beginning of the film, she was a religious person and was married to Brother Musa leading a traditional housewife life. She was then abandoned by Brother Musa who went for war in Palestine after her child was accidentally killed by the mentally deranged Hani. She was at first timid, conservative and low on confidence when she joined Rescaid. However she also found a balance between the 3 aspects as her life goes on, which shown in the way she act and the dress she is in. She is also a fit example the modern Islamic women the director was portraying.

Ironically what I not like about the film was also the flaws in the editing where jump cuts occurs frequently which is pretty annoying. The editing style also change after half the film, the first half of the film posted many clues and pieces of puzzle and make the audiences think a lot but as the film goes by, it turned more and more literal and monotone.