Local film, theatre activist excited over offer as Finas advisor
Words cannot describe such honour. I’m still surprised by it, but I do realise that this is a heavy responsibility – one that calls upon us to bring our films and visual arts to greater heights than they were before.
KUCHING: Local film-maker and Malay theatre activist Jalot Jeman is honoured to have been appointed by the National Film Development Corporation ( Finas) as one of its advisors, following the recent change in the corporation’s board of directors.
The 40-year- old, whose birth name is Mohamad Ghazali, is touted as the first Sarawakian ever to be given such a capacity in Finas.
“Words cannot describe such honour. I’m still surprised by it, but I do realise that this is a heavy responsibility – one that calls upon us to bring our films and visual arts to greater heights than they were before,” said Jalot.
The multi-talented screen and stage artiste now sits on the advisory panel with 10 other big names in Malaysia’s film industry including acclaimed actor- director Bront Palarae, Syafiq Yusof of the Yusof Haslam’s movie-making dynasty, visual effects maestro Wee Meng Hee and Adrian Teh – the director of ‘Paskal’, which is this year’s topgrossing
Jalot Jeman, Local film-maker and Malay theatre activist
blockbuster in that it has collected RM30.5 million in two months after its premiere in September.
Jalot made his debut in the local Malay theatre production called ‘ Pemberontakan’ ( Rebellion) in 1998, and clinched his first leadingman spot in ‘Inflakasta’ in 2001.
From there, he began to explore all facets across the stage and screen performing arts – acting, script-writing, casting, directing, producing, hosting, singing, playing musical instruments and also doing standup comedy.
His first television acting stint was ‘ Puteri Santubong’ aired on RTM in 2010, followed by his casting as a lead character in ‘Ini Kisahku’ ( This is My Story) in 2013.
Jalot’s first movie appearance was in ‘Nota’ (Note) in 2012.
His stage directorial debut was ‘ Mati’ ( Death) in 2004, but it was the 2016 telemovie ‘ Meniti Takdir’ (Walking on Fate), which he directed, that earned him considerable attention.
Jalot was also the assistant director for the foreign feature ‘Head Hunter’, which underwent shooting in Kuching earlier this year.