User:Iammissnobody/Layar Lara

"Layar Lara" (can be interpreted by either "Lara's Screen" or "Screen of Suffering")   is a 1997 Malaysian art film directed and scripted by Malaysian producer/writer/director Shuhaimi Baba with the story by Fatimah Abu Bakar. Starring Ida Nerina, Sidi Oraza, Azean Irdawaty, and Man Bai, it tells the story about the intertwined lives of aspiring actress Ena (Ida Nerina), idealistic director Malik (Sidi Oraza), and veteran actress Zai (Azean Irdawaty). Ena's disruptive behavior clashes with Malik's vision while Zai, struggling with dementia, yearns for one last role. Through conflict and redemption, the film explores themes of artistic dedication, friendship, and the challenges faced by both veterans and newcomers in the film industry.

Released on 9 February 1997, the film garnered positive critical reception and despite mediocre release of RM600,000 for the first 10 days, it participated in many local and international awards, and swept the 13th Malaysian Film Festival trophies by winning nine awards in many categories.

"Layar Lara" marked the final film appearances of Malaysian veteran artists Siput Sarawak (who passed away on 4 June 1999) and Mahmud June (who passed away on 15 February 2002)

siput (4/6/1999)


 * https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3847058/the-passing-of-a-legend
 * https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1470088/movie-legend-siput-sarawak-dies-in-singapore
 * https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/741095/siput---grande-dame-of-malay-films

mahmud june (15/2/2002)

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1509642/veteran-actor-mahmud-june-dies-at-81

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2096596/mahmud-june-meninggal-dunia

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/748347/farewell-to-the-boh-tea-man-

https://web.archive.org/web/20140715045301/http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2002&dt=0215&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_04.htm

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/650407/three-films-vying-for-15-awards

Plot
In 1994, a film production crew named Daud and a group of elderly veterans eagerly question veteran actress who called herself Auntie Zai (who is Daud's aunt) about the Malaysian Film Festival awards. She humorously recounts being overshadowed by the young award-winning starlet, Ena. Meanwhile, a falling object at a nearby construction site traumatizes Zai.

Two years later, Daud, Zai's nephew, finds work on a film set. Zai, now in the early stages of dementia, and other veteran actors yearn for one last chance to act, pleading with Daud to convince the director, Malik. Commercial pressures force Malik to cast the demanding Ena. However, her disruptive antics on set include deceiving Malik, manipulating those around her, and feuding with other actresses.

Ena's attempts to make her boyfriend Shark jealous backfire, and Daud regrets succumbing to her influence. Malik eventually fires Ena, who faces a double blow when her relationship also ends. Seeking to make amends, Ena visits Daud and encounters Zai, who now speaks in archaic phrases due to her condition. The two women connect over their shared love for acting. The veterans finally get their wish, cast as extras, and a friendship blossoms between Ena and Zai.

Despite setbacks like heavy rain that floods the set and leads to bankruptcy, the dedicated crew perseveres. They receive the devastating news of Zai's passing and attend her funeral. Malik, determined to honor Zai's memory, rallies everyone to reshoot the film without pay. The film, "Layar Lara," ends triumphantly as Malik learns it passed censorship with only minor edits, his joy erupting as he destroys a chair in celebration.

Production
The production of "Layar Lara" marks the third film directed by Shuhaimi Baba after "Selubung" (1992) and "Ringgit Kasorrga" (1995). She also served as a scriptwriter with the story crafted by Fatimah Abu Bakar. According to Shuhaimi, the film was produced to honor veteran artists of the 1950s era in Malaysia.

Pre-production and casting
The film's original title was "Ekstra Terakhir," but was changed to "Layar Lara" during pre-production. The role had a significant impact on lead actress Ida Nerina, who stated, "I love Manjalara." The film marked the acting debuts of model and beauty queen Kavita Kaur, singer Man Bai, and Teacher's Pet vocalist Maman. Man Bai, famous for his song "Kau Ilhamku", admitted that acting was challenging for him. Shazleen Shahbi, who starred in Shuhaimi's previous films "Selubung" and "Ringgit Kasorrga", portrayed the character Jan. Shuhaimi clarified that the film was not scandalous, despite speculation. The cast also includes Sidi Oraza, Azean Irdawaty, Melissa Saila, Ismail Hutson, and veteran artists Aziz Jaafar, Mahmud Jun, Aziz Sattar, and Siput Sarawak.

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3140693/siput-gementar-hadap-kamera

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2453683/sukar-lupakan-siput

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3141025/industri-filem-semarak

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/722067/still-magic-on-the-set-with-siput-sarawak

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3213782/layar-lara-jadi-sekolah-filem

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3019192/suhaimi-tubuh-markaz-filem

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/645183/quality-is-top-priority

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3218299/bakat-mahmud-tiada-pewaris

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/4169541/malay-films-make-their-mark-again

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/705501/top-singers-retain-anugerah-awards

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3005878/filem-layar-lara-sabar-menanti

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3181456/layar-lara-perlu-penaja

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2454337/1996-tahun-suram-bagi-industri-filem

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/703122/lacklustre-year-for-film

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3831953/film-launch-a-family-affair

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/585569/layar-lara-mengaum

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/693096/night-of-dreams

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/691243/-layar-lara-lives-up-to-all-the-hype

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3018345/kutipan-layar-lara-sederhana

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3812698/disqualified-

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3261727/shuhaimi-akur-keputusan

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3015079/suratan-takdir

Filming and promotions
Filming took place over a period of 2 months, from November 1995 to January 1996 with some promotional news from local journalists about the filming. Shuhaimi reportedly sought sponsorship contributions to finance the promotional costs of the film.

Box office
"Layar Lara" was released on February 9, 1997, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The film's launch event was held grandly at a hotel before Ramadan and was broadcasted live on TV2. The preview event took place at the mini P. Ramlee cinema on January 28, 1997, and received positive reactions from students of the Malaysian Film Academy (AFM) and the University of Malaya (UM). The film grossed approximately RM600,000 after 10 days of screening in theaters. https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/638165/paying-tribute-to-local-film-makers-of-50-s

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/695809/singers-man-bai-and-maman-doing-fine-in-debut-movie

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3144026/man-bai-sidi-bertumbuk

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/693938/shuhaimi-honours-the-veterans

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/693783/changing-roles-of-a-screen-siren

Critical Reception
The film received positive reviews from local film critics. Berita Minggu journalist Khairana Sabtu praised the film as a "solid" production. Malaysian lyricist Habsah Hassan expressed her admiration for the film, considering it "the best medium for artists to see the 'flaws' that occur in the film industry."

Accolades
In the same year, "Layar Lara" was selected to participate in the third Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival held in Kuala Lumpur (FFAKL3) from 30 September to 10 October.

The film was also nominated for the 42nd Asia Pacific Film Festival scheduled for October in Cheju [sic], South Korea , along with two other local films  romantic movie "Merah" and action movie "Lurah Dendam". Unfortunately Shuhaimi and her company PESONA Pictures's entry was disqualified while Merah and Lurah Dendam didn't make the final cut.

Shuhaimi told Harian Metro at the same month that PERSONA Pictures would not joining any international events if they have to cover all the costs (of representing Malaysia's movie to the international scene).

"PESONA Pictures tidak akan menyertai mana-mana festival antarabangsa, jika kos pembiayaannya, termasuk kos membuat salinan baru, dipertanggungjawabkan kepada produser saja."

Author(s): By Hartati Hassan Basri

Copyright: Unknown

Published on: 20 October 1997

Publication: Harian Metro

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3014572/shuhaimi-nekad

https://web.archive.org/web/20230505092155/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3015635/layar-lara-sah-wakil-negara

but failed to compete due to unavoidable circumstances.

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3015635/layar-lara-sah-wakil-negara

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3015620/22-karyawan-sertai-ffap42

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/650407/three-films-vying-for-15-awards

https://apff.info/index.php/history/

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/678579/-layar-lara-fiasco-truly-a-shame

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/678912/fiasco-at-filmfest-disappoints-shuhaimi

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/678912/fiasco-at-filmfest-disappoints-shuhaimi

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3811840/pesona-pictures-accepts-share-of-responsibility

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/649724/entry-folly-at-film-festival

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3015200/memori-manis-di-cheju-do

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3014572/shuhaimi-nekad

"PESONA Pictures tidak akan menyertai mana-mana festival antarabangsa, jika kos pembiayaannya, termasuk kos membuat salinan baru, dipertanggungjawabkan kepada produser saja."

--

The film finally achieved significant recognition at various film festivals. At the 13th Malaysian Film Festival held on December 28, 1997, it won nine prestigious awards, including Best Film and Best Director. Shuhaimi Baba's direction also garnered international acclaim: she won Best Director in the Foreign Language Film category at the 19th Brussels International Film Festival (held November 9, 1997)  and received the Special Jury Award at the 6th Pyongyang International Film Festival in Pyongyang, North Korea (held November 3, 1998). https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1156273/shuhaimi-wins-top-award-at-brussels-film-festival

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1158095/-layar-lara-sweeps-nine-awards-at-festival

Original soundtrack
The soundtrack album for "Layar Lara" contains a total of 10 songs, including 2 instrumental tracks. It was released to promote the film and produced by Warner Music Malaysia.

https://opac.pnm.gov.my/lib/item?id=chamo:277283

https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/690149/disappointed-with-album-distribution

Track listing
sdasa

https://delcat.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01UDEL_INST/krc7pe/WorldCat850388202

Recording
The workforce behind the OST album of "Layar Lara" was obtained from media records:


 * Maman - producer
 * Nasser Abu Kassim - executive producer
 * Ahmad Razali - recording engineer, sound engineer
 * Razman Mohd Nor - recording engineer
 * Twin Studio - recording studio
 * Norman - A&R
 * Adonis - A&R
 * Sharon - A&R
 * Sue Kok - album design
 * Werk Haus - editing