FILM REVIEW - 1

Today I am going to discuss about the film review which is “Perempuan, Isteri, dan…”

 “Perempuan, Isteri, dan…” is more focus on the stereotyping of a female image. The structure of this film can forms the meaning like the sexual differences in terms of visual preparation that often neglected.

In 1980-s the Malaysia alternative filmmakers have brought a different perspective and a unique style in their film production. U-Wei Haji Saari, he is the first alternative filmmaker in 1990-an. He also is a director of “Perempuan, Isteri, dan…”

U Wei Haji Saari

The actual title of this film is “Perempuan, Isteri, dan Jalang”. But the Lembaga Penapis Filem censored the word “Jalang”, because the meaning of Jalang is Bitch and it is not suitable in the Malaysia context. They use the symbols to replace the word Jalang when the film is only permitted to release in Malaysia cinema after the title change to “Perempuan, Isteri, dan…”. It is because the word of“Jalang” is considered as a sensitive word in the Malaysian contexts.

This is a controversial social film about a bride – Zaleha who elopes with another man to Thailand on her wedding day. However, her groom - Amir tracks down Zaleha, and force her to be a prostitute. After 6 months, Zaleha tricks him into marrying her and bring her back to their village. Zaleha causes a social upheaval in her village by encouraging other women to be more independent and by enticing other men and to have affairs with her in order to vengeance against Amir.  

After 6 months how the Zaleha was treated by Amir?

Amir treats her very bad and calls her prostitute often. He does not allow Zaleha sleep on the bed. Amir is always scolding and ignoring what Zaleha said when he brings her back from the Ong Chai.

How was the Zaleha revenge against Amir?

She try to convince and encourage village women more independent and brave to pursue the things that they needs and wants when Amir bring her back to the village and still ignore her. Moreover, she has an affair and unusual relationship with the other man in the jungle while Amir is working.

My Opinion

I am very surprise about this film because it portrayals of sexual desire among men and women. It expresses many movement, gestures and bodies with sexy behaviour. In my mind, I think that Malay film do not show this kind of behaviour and scene on the screen since our country is more conservative. Other than that, the film shows that men are more powerful in the village because they can make decision and control the women. However, everything had been changed because of Zaleha appeared. She made the women or girls brave to voice out what they wants and needs. It shows that Zaleha is a dominant woman in the village since she has the power to persuade the women voice out.