#yusry

Yusry Sarhan?????

What do you get when you bring together big names, film students, a 24-hour Malay movie channel and a major network?

Featuring six popular early to mid-career Malaysian directors, Astro Citra‘s brand new Karya 12 comprises twelve telemovies — six made by popular local directors, six made with these directors and their protegees as selected from local universities. It’s perhaps the biggest single project dedicated to telemovies the nation has seen thus far and it will all start appearing on Astro Citra and Mustika HD at the end of the month.

Conceived last year, Karya 12 began in November with a pitching session conducted across six local universities. From the proposals they received, the six directors — Bernard Chauly, Sabri Yunus, Michael Ang, Yusry Abdul Halim, Osman Ali and Ghaz — picked a project each to oversee, guide and film. But in addition to the mentorship program, these directors were also requested to direct telemovies of their own for the channel too.

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“Saya rasa sangat kecil berbanding dengan pengarah-pengarah di sini yang menang award dan berjaya di box office… rasa kecil saja walaupun saya besar,” quipped Michael in relation to his own size.

As one of few non-ethnic Malay directors actively working on Malay content, Michael is known for drawing in the numbers with television dramas such as Suami Sebelah Rumah and M.A.I.D. His track record for the silver screen however is growing; on top of producing Erra Fazira-led horror Anak, he directed Astro Shaw‘s upcoming Hantu Rumah Sakit Jiwa.

On the comparative lack of Malaysian-Chinese directors in the Malay entertainment industry, Michael tells us it’s not so much an issue of language but culture. He also claims his advantage came from growing up with a Malay community present through his formative years.

“Getting into the market isn’t impossible, because language is not a barrier in directing — all it calls for is for an understanding of the story and concept. What’s difficult is adapting to the conversation, lifestyle and the culture.”

Michael notes that there is still diversity in representation behind the camera, singling out directors such as Saw Teong Hin, James Lee and Bernard as examples of local talents who have done significant work in Malay-language content.

For Karya 12, Michael will be helping student Chen Yong Jiam with his Roti Canai Love Story, an interracial romance revolving around the popular Malaysian dish. His solo effort however will be Kulit, a horror film starring Nabila Huda.

Bernard Chauly on the other hand shot his telemovie in Greece and also scored Malaysian actors Bront Palarae and Fazura for his telemovie, Eropah Aku Sampai. Known for iconic, cinematic romances such as Istanbul Aku Datang and Manisnya Cinta di Cappadocia, the award-winning director sought to tackle current issues with his involvement in Karya 12.

Describing his piece as a character-driven story about refugees seeking safety on the Greek island of Leros, Bernard also scored Greek actress Lila Baklesi and Turkish actor Aziz Capkurt for his telefilm.

“Filem saya tentang situasi pelarian Syria dan Afghanistan,” informed the director. “It’s about someone being forced to leave the place he [...]

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