An elegaic tale

I liked the film in its entirety. Written and directed by Sabah-born Chris Chong Chan Fui, Karaoke is about Betik (Zahiril Adzim last seen in Kami and the play, Air Con) returning home after getting his graphic design degree from UiTM in Shah Alam.

Betik wants to build a future in the estate with his mother (Mislina Mustaffa, Mukhsin) at the family’s karaoke joint.

Chong was in Tokyo when the Press previewed Karaoke in Kuala Lumpur. According to film notes, Chong says Karaoke plays on the illusion and reality of Betik’s return home.

The illusion is Betik’s need to have a home, a job, and love. The reality is that everything and everyone has moved on.

The karaoke videos are the illusion, while the landscape and his relationships are the reality.

As customers look at the karaoke videos, they see images of beautiful beaches, rivers, and blue skies. The reality for the villagers is the palm oil plantation.

You will see palm being harvested in a National Geographic style of filming. Says Chong: “I didn’t want to be restricted to a singular form of visual style. In my mind, the larger story of the artificiality of the natural environment created by the palm oil trees could only be pictured in this way.’’

Karaoke is the first Malaysian film in 14 years to be invited to the Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival 2009.

The film recently won the inaugural Mavericks Prize at the Calgary International Film Festival 2009.

It was produced with the support of the Krishen Jit Astro Fund/Five Arts Centre and the Global Film Initiative.

I found Karaoke somewhat elegaic of a way of life and a young man’s dreams.

In keeping with that feeling, the long, panning shots, the dwelling of the camera on scenes of palm oil estate life, the leisurely pace of the story unfolding become a meditative process for the viewer.

You need to piece together this story and the end is interesting.

There are a few giggles as, for example, when the customers sang the chorus of a nasyid song in true-blue, off-key style (not a la Cameron Diaz in My Best friend’s Wedding). But watch out for sensitivities. One audience member asked the gigglers: Kenapa ketawa?

To those fed on action flicks, Karaoke can be draggy. If you are a fan of Wong Kar Wei, you will like Chong’s first feature film. Karaoke opens Nov 26. — By SUBHADRA DEVAN