Muallaf
Malaysia | 2008 | Malay/Tamil/English | 80 min | Drama | DCP
Synopsis
Two Malaysian sisters, Rohani and Rohana, run away from home to escape their wealthy father’s mistreatment. They find refuge in a small town where they get to know Brian Goh, a young Catholic school teacher. Brian is irresistibly attracted to the two girls. Impressed by their extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, their relationship forces him to confront the ghosts of his own childhood. Director Yasmin Ahmad explores the possibilities of emotional survival after being traumatised by loved ones. Through the wanderings of three lost souls who band together and console one another, Muallaf celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and the coming to terms with the past.
Credits
| Original Title | Muallaf |
| English Title | Muallaf |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Exhibition Format | DCP |
| Director | Yasmin Ahmad |
| Producer | Sheikh Munasar Abdullah |
| Screenplay | Yasmin Ahmad |
| Cinematography | Keong Low |
| Cast | Sharifah Amani, Sharifah Aleysha, Brian Yap, Ning Baizura, Yeo Yann Yann, Rahim Razali |
Contact
Datin Orked Ahmad
orkedahmad@gmail.com
Director
Yasmin Ahmad
Malaysia
Yasmin Ahmad, born on January 7, 1958, in Muar, Johor, Malaysia, pursued psychology at the University of Newcastle, England. She began her career in advertising as a copywriter and rose to become the executive creative director at Leo Burnett Kuala Lumpur, where she was renowned for her memorable and emotionally resonant advertisements for Petronas. Transitioning to filmmaking, Yasmin garnered acclaim both locally and internationally for her poignant and provocative exploration of love, family, and social issues, often challenging societal norms and promoting racial harmony. Her notable films include “Sepet” (2004), a love story between a Malay girl and a Chinese boy, “Gubra” (2006), a sequel exploring the complexities of interracial relationships, “Mukhsin” (2007), a prequel depicting the characters’ childhood experiences, “Muallaf” (2008), a story about faith and forgiveness focusing on two sisters, and “Talentime” (2009), her final film about a talent competition and its participants’ personal struggles. Yasmin’s films received numerous accolades at international film festivals, including the Berlin, Pusan, and Tokyo International Film Festivals, and are celebrated for their empathy, humor, and fearless exploration of difficult subjects. Yasmin Ahmad passed away on July 25, 2009, due to a stroke, but her legacy endures through her films, which continue to inspire and promote messages of unity and understanding in Malaysian society.
