Movie of the week:
Bring you back to 1964, "3 Abdul" that written and directed by one of the Malaysian legendary and multi-talented artist, late Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
Since it's a 1964 production, it's a black & white film. Genre? Comedy - P. Ramlee's style, you can't missed out!
The film title is made up by the name of three brothers: Abdul Wahab, Abdul Wahib and Abdul Wahub, hence 3 Abdul! (Can't resist myself to sing the theme song, too additive!) The trio are acted by Haji Mahadi, S. Kadarisman and P. Ramlee, along with other main casts Ahmad Nisfu as Sadiq Segaraga, Mariani as Hamidah, Dayang Sofia as Rafidah and Sarimah as Ghasidah. (Another trio here, Hamidah + Rafidah + Ghasidah, three sisters!)
Sadiq at the entrance with his three beautiful daughters!
The story is about after three Abdul's father passed away, the youngest brother Abdul Wahub parts away with his two eleder brothers Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib due to differences in mindset for inheriting their father's properties. Although the youngest brother doesn't like his elder brothers, but he has to save them from getting conned by Sadiq's family. In the end, tiga Abdul realize the meaning of being a family and brotherhood.
There are many panning shots in this film to show that a character has a continuous movement in a scene. The film hired a storyteller to tell the story from a third person's point of view (which in current era, we don't really see this anymore). The mise-en-scene is set on three brothers who grew up in an upper-middle class family in Isketambola.
In 3 Abdul, some moral issues can be seen to raise awareness. For instance, even if you come from a wealthy family background, you shouldn't be greedy. One should be contented for what they have and contribute something good as a return to the society. Social class makes no difference when your character is ugly. You can take advantage on others, but whatever you have, is not really yours. Just like Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib want to inherit their father's wealth, Sadiq and lawyer Kassim who make plan to con Abdul's family wealth.
Besides, real love equals to unconditional love, just like the loveline between Abdul Wahub and Ghasidah. It seems like they dislike and forced to be with each other, but in the end, they embrace each other by ignoring the ridiculous rules set by Ghasidah's father, Sadiq. On the other hand, family is where you belong and people should learn to treasure the relationship.
This Malay language film has added some English lines into the dialogue. I believe it's because that time the nation still live under the influence of British colonialism as this film was released in 1964, not long ago after independence in 1957.
There's a scene of a seller saying the profit he got from selling people is higher than a camel. I feel sad for that. Does that mean the value of a human being = profit? Oh my gosh, people shouldn't be blinded by money.
Although it's a comedy film, but it also slightly touched on the politic.
What is dictatorship? What is democratic? How do you define these two terms?
This discussion between the two elder brothers is less than a minute but that's powerful enough. Maybe P. Ramlee has this special ability to predict what will happened in the future, I mean now? A country that practice democracy system since independence, is the democracy system still in shape? Does the word "derma" from the video clip sounds familiar to you? Want a Malay to English translation? Donation.
To be honest, this is my first time watching P. Ramlee's film, it amazed me! I thought movie back in those days would be boring, ok I'm wrong. I got to learn some moral values while enjoying this comedy film! Since P. Ramlee acted in it, means you get to hear his singing and song! I love the singing parts! Let's have some eargasm now!
I think a good film can entertain a person and makes him or her to think. The messages delivered from "3 Abdul" serve as pretty good advices for the society we live in now.
Do watch out for Abdul Wahub's intelligence! :)
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