Local Tamil-language film ‘Jagat’ won the Best Malaysian Film award in the 28th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM) last night.

Nevertheless, the film’s producer expressed hope the Best Malaysian Film award and the Best National Film award categories could be merged into one.

“Our ultimate aim is that (the two) be merged into one,” said Jagat executive producer Sivanantham Perianan at a press conference after the awards ceremony organised by the National Development Film Corporation Malaysia (Finas).

Sivanantham however admitted that this was all part of a process and they were indeed proud to be part of it.

Asked whether the ‘Jagat’ team was happy after winning the coveted award, Sivanantham said they had long been satisfied.

“Even when the controversy (over segregated categories) started, we said we will be part of the process to improve things further. That's why we said we didn’t want to boycott the film festival.

“Malaysia has multiple races and languages, there’s bound to be conflicts,” he added.

When asked then which film he felt is better - ‘Jagat’ or Best National Film award winner the local horror film ‘Munafik’ - 'Jagat' director Shanjhey Kumar Perumal said this is for the audience to judge.

“The best award comes from the audience themselves. It is up to the audience,” he said.

Underdogs

The award, said Sivanantham further, was a form of recognition and thus they did not want to question it.

“(It is just that) next time, in the years to come, we hope it (the process) will be improved,” he said.

Jagat’s victory is all the sweeter as the film had limited resources from the start.

The cost to make the film was only RM300,000, and a further RM200,000 was forked out for marketing purposes.

And the film has only managed to rake in RM300,000 from cinema ticket sales.

“As a first time filmmaker, the award has given us motivation. The award has given us high recognition for us to continue creating works,” added Sivanantham.

Believing that ‘Jagat’ went in as the underdog into the awards, Sivanantham said the film was "nothing" compared to ‘Munafik’ and local favourite ‘Ola Bola’ in terms of costs.

“That's why we think of ourselves as underdogs. We are not a winning horse, but today it (winning) happened.”

Untold story

Shanjhey, on the other hand, believes that Jagat’s strength comes from its intentions.

“What makes Jagat strong is we are telling a story that has never been told. It becomes an advantage when we touch an untold story.

“The rest is on how we work the story, making it interesting with the cinematic experience,” he said.

The film tells the tale of estate workers who were forced to relocate to the squatters in 1991. It centres on how poverty has been a factor that had led to the social problems among the poor.

Shanjhey, earlier, dedicated his winning of the Best New Director award to “the struggle of the social class people”.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the FFM’s current awards format, Shanjey felt it is a good start.

“We can't please everyone, including myself […]. We just give and take for a better future for the industry,” he said.

Segregation uproar

Last month, various quarters criticised the segregation of films at the festival according to language.

‘Jagat’ and ‘Ola Bola’ were initially disqualified from winning the Best Film award at the FFM.

Following uproar and several announcements of boycotts against the film festival, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry decided to open participation in the Best Film award category to all film industry players.

The ministry had then created the Best Film in the National Language category.

It was then announced that the Best National Film award would headline the film festival.

Although local film ‘Ola Bola’ did not win the Best Malaysian Film award, the much talked about movie did manage to win a special award.

The film won a special jury’s award for successfully uplifting values of unity and family ties through the spirit of sports.

More than just horror flick

Meanwhile, ‘Munafik’ director Syamsul Yusof, who also won the Best Director award, was not really fussed that his film did not win the Best Malaysian Film award.

“I don't really care, as long as (we win) a best film award.

“(We) are still recognised as the best film, so there's no issue here,” he said.

Syamsul’s father, renowned film director Yusof Haslam believes that ‘Munafik’ won as the film was not just a horror movie.

“It has Islamic values. If the film is a horror movie in total, I think the jury wouldn't look at it,” he said.

Asked whether they were happy with FFM’s current format, Yusof said his son Syamsul had even contemplated not coming to the awards ceremony due to the controversy the film festival had generated.

“People accuse me of setting up the jury. It’s (just) a coincidence that I'm the president of the Malaysia Film Producers Association (PFM).

“I don't know who the jury (members) are; it’s only today that I know who the winners are,” said Yusof.

Having expected ‘Ola Bola’ to win, Yusof said the results show how the jury members have their own evaluation criteria.

“Our fight is to pull the audience to cinemas, it’s not about winning awards only,” he added.

Last night’s event held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre also saw actress Nabila Huda and actor Pekin Ibrahim winning the Best Actress and Best Actor awards for their portrayals in ‘Munafik’ and ‘Mat Moto - Kami Bukan Mat Rempit’ respectively.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s wife Hamidah Khamis was the guest of honour at the awards hosted by comedians Nabil Ahmad and Sherry Alhadad.

Singers Dayang Nurfaizah, Bunkface, Tomok and Man Bai, among others, entertained the audience during the three-hour ceremony.