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NAFF 2010 | Talentime
By Angela Jung
Talentime
Malaysia, 2009, 120 min
DIR Yasmin Ahmad
I will admit, with no prior knowledge of Yasmin Ahmad's work, Talentime sounded like it would be a light-hearted, fun movie about high school students in a talent show. This film was not what I expected -- it is so much better. From laughter to tears, this movie is heartwarming and heartbreaking. And there's a bonus: the songs are great! If you were to watch just one film from the NAFF, watch Talentime.
The film explores the tales of three homes: a wealthy Eurasian family with a charming father; an Indian family who must overcome a death; and a dying Malay mother and her son. Their lives become intertwined when a child from each household becomes involved with the talent show.
Holding true to Ahmad's style, this film tackles the taboos of inter-racial relationships, class differences and the clashes of multicultural Malaysia. I was quite naive to these issues, and still am, but, after watching this film, I realized that racism and discrimination is more than a reality: it takes away lives and destroys those affected by it.
But this film does more than show audiences teenage angst and race conflicts, it also reveals how having fate may not be enough. Sometimes, it is actually one's faith that builds barriers. The Indian protagonist, Mahesh, and Eurasian female counterpart, Melur, are modern-day Malaysia's Romeo and Juliet. And who doesn't love a good gush?
The ending left me wanting more. I may even be having Talentime withdrawal. This would explain why I have the soundtrack on repeat.
This film is extremely multicultural. The characters in the film speak English, Malay, Cantonese, Madarin, Tamil, Hindi, and even Sign (the protagonist has a hearing and speaking impairment). Don't worry, there are English subtitles.
Screening dates: May 28, 8:45pm and May 30, 4:30pm
"Schema Magazine's coverage of NAFF 2010 is sponsored by the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival"
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