Movies on motherhood
WHEN you look at your mother, you are looking at a vesel for the purest form of love, because a mother always love her children unconditionally.
On Sunday, May 13, we will be celebrating Mother’s Day, which is a time for us to appreciate the woman who raised us.
To celebrate this occasion, theSun got renowned film scholar and author Hassan Muthalib ( right) to pick five Malaysian films that showcase motherhood and the values related to it.
1) IBU Year: 1953 Director: S. Ramanathan
The film starts with a voice over reminding the audience to appreciate their mother at all cost.
The film centres on a son who promises to look after his widowed mother. Then, he meets a temptress who is only interested in his money. He begins to neglect his mother.
Later he discovers the woman he loves has betrayed him, and regrets his decision to neglect his mother.
2) IBU MERTUAKU Year: 1962 Director: P. Ramlee
The story is about a mother whose daughter has married someone she feels is below her status. She will do anything to destroy the marriage.
She lies to her son-in-law that his wife and son are dead, and even shows him their fake graves.
But she ends up getting caught. It is then that her son-in-law utters the famous line: “Mengapakah kau diciptakan Allah menjadi manusia? Kan lebih baik kau menjadi haiwan?” ( Why did God make you human? Wouldn’t it be better if you were born an animal?”). That line is enough to make her regret about the decisions she had made. 3) ABANG Year: 1981 Director: Rahim Razali
The protagonist is the eldest son who returns home to his family after being away for many years. He begins to reunite the family, who have long been estranged. However, he is dying, which he keeps a secret from the rest of the family. In the final act, he tells his mother that he is tired and wants to rest. He looks at her for the last time, and enters his room. Although he has said nothing about his illness, his mother is able to sense that something is not right. He later passes away in his sleep.
4) SAYANG SALMAH Year: 1995 Director: Mahadi J. Murat
Actress Fauziah Nawi portrays a tragic mother who tries to look after her mentally unfit son. She will not leave her son under any circumstances. Even on her deathbed, she is worried about what will happen to her son.
5) SEPET Year: 2004 Director: Yasmin Ahmad
The film is about a love affair between a Chinese boy, Jason, and a Malay girl, Orked. Their respective mothers feature prominently in the film. You will see the mothers are progressive and forward thinking. They do not disapprove of their children’s relationship. They are more like friends to their children. – Bissme S.