ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2008
The Asian Film Festival 2008, organised by the Asian Consuls General Club(ACGC), Jeddah is taking place from 9 to 20 February 2008. It is being held at the Auditorium of the Residence of the Consul General of Indonesia at Al Marhoumi Street (21), Al Hamra District, Jeddah. Documentaries and feature films from ACGC member countries are being shown daily.
Monday, 11 February 2008 was Malaysia’s turn to host the event. The evening was officiated with a short welcoming remark by the Consul General of Malaysia Hidayat Abdul Hamid.
Three short documentaries on “Enchanting Malaysia” gave a preview of Malaysia and its multi-racial, multi-linguistic and multi-cultural people and the many interesting destinations in Malaysia which last year attracted over 21 million tourists from all over the world.
Following the documentaries, a Malay film entitled “Mukhsin” was shown. “Mukhsin” is a story about simple lessons in life; friendship, affection and first love. Orked, a young girl growing up in multi-ethnic Malaysia was sent to a Chinese medium school, speaks English and prefers to read rather than to play with other girls. The hero Mukhsin came to town and the two young adolescents became the best of friends. However, they soon found out that friendship is not without its problems, as love blooms and begins to interfere in the friendship.
“Mukhsin” is a box-office movie in Malaysia, directed by sometimes “controversial” Lady director Yasmin Ahmad. The film won numerous awards and received rave reviews at International Film festivals in Berlin (2007), San Francisco (2007), Tokyo (2006), Hong Kong (2007) and Fribour (2007).
The evening was attended by Consuls General, government officials, business people, travel agents, media personnel and the local community. After the show, guests were treated to some Malaysian refreshments.
