Erma Fatima (left) receives the Best Director award from Datuk Seri Farid Ridzuan

Erma Fatima’s drama about a street notorious for its social problems was the big winner at the Anugerah Skrin 2009, writes BIBI NURSHUHADA RAMLI.

VETERAN actress and director Erma Fatima went to Anugerah Skrin 2009 hoping to win something. But little did she expect her drama Tersasar Di Jalanmu to dominate the drama category. It bagged six awards: Best Drama, Best Director, Best Actress (Rosnah Mat Aris), Best Supporting Actress (Norish Ismail), Best Videography and Best Screenplay. “This is definitely worth all the hard work that my team and I put in.” Tersasar Di Jalanmu, aired over RTM last year, revolves around the “environment” in Lorong Haji Taib in Kuala Lumpur. It was made to shed light on the area’s social problems involving teens. Erma got the idea for a drama based on the street when she found a young girl playing in the area at 2.30am! Tersasar Di Jalanmu tells of a family of five living in Lorong Haji Taib, where the parents run a food stall. One of their children is a drug dealer and another, a daughter, a wild child. The youngest girl, however, is a good student, who aspires to rid the area of its problems.

“There are several dramas that I’ve done that have sentimental values, and Tersasar Di Jalanmu is one of them. I dedicate this drama to the people of Lorong Haji Taib, who gave me their full co-operation to make this drama,” said Erma. At the previous Anugerah Skrin, actor Que Haidar won the Best Supporting Actor award for the drama Tuhan Pun Tahu. This time, he grabbed the Best Actor award for his effort in Terlerai Takbir Kasih. Que played a husband and a father of three, whom he had abandoned when he remarried, without the knowledge of his first wife. It was a hard character for him to portray and he had turned to a friend, who he felt was similar to the character, for help.

“It was tough to master the wide range of emotions that the role demanded. I am thankful for director Mohd Heykal Mohd Hanifah, who allowed me to contribute ideas for the role.” Norish Ismail, who won the award for Best Supporting Drama Actress, admitted that as a newcomer, she never expected to win. “The rest of the nominees are very talented and more experienced than me.” Tersasar Di Jalanmu is not her first drama, as previously she has worked with Mamat Khalid and Aziz M. Osman . The last time Ahmad Tamimi Siregar won an award was in 1992 for his direction in the drama Ana Aishah. The veteran actor felt that his winning the Best Supporting Actor (Drama) award this year for Tak Serupa Tapi Sama, was the perfect present for his upcoming birthday on Jan 17.

Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, clad in a pink number, shone during her performance.

In the film category, University Teknologi MARA’s production of Wayang took home most of the awards, including Best Film, Best Director (Hatta Azad Khan), Best Actor (Eman Manan) and Best Supporting Actor (Zul huzaimy), while Ida Nerina won Best Supporting Actress for Susuk. After winning Best Actress at the 22nd Malaysian Film Festival recently for Papadom, Liyana Jasmay took home another major award in the same category for her work in Kami The Movie. “I put in a lot of hard work and I’m thankful to have won. Even if I didn’t win, I would strive to do better next time.” Liyana hinted at a sequel to the award-winning Papadom. The shooting for the sequel is expected to begin next year.

Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor had the honour of being the first recipient of a new award, the Yasmin Ahmad Award. The award, to recognise new talents, is named after the late director, Yasmin Ahmad, who was known for introducing talented novices. Jaclyn burst into tears when her name was announced and was speechless. Later at a press conference she said: “I swear I didn’t expect this at all. I honestly didn’t know what the award was for, so I assumed that it was for veteran actors like Azean Irdawaty. She said that after Yasmin’s death, she couldn’t accept any acting offers because that was her way of mourning. “I figured it would be hard without her there guiding me.

“But when I accepted the award, Datin Orked Ahmad (Yasmin’s sister, who presented the award) said to me, ‘You deserve this, and she would’ve wanted you to continue.’” Jaclyn said she will consider any offers that come her way. True to its theme, every part of the event, from the setting and costumes to the hosting, performance and award presentation, was given a Middle Eastern touch. The chemistry was apparent between hosts Afdlin Shauki and Fara Fauzana. Among the award presenters were Ashraf Muslim, Sharifah Sofea, Fatimah Abu Bakar, Datuk Rahim Razali, Rozita Che Wan, Azean Irdawaty, Wan Zaleha Radzi, Zainal Alam Kadir, Fizz Fairuz, Carmen Soo, Hans Isaac, Vanidah Imran and Rosyam Nor.

An upbeat performance of Seribu Satu Malam by One Nation Emcees kicked off the event, and later the audience was entertained by the moving duet of Misha Omar and Bob in the song Cinta Adam Dan Hawa. Veteran rocker Hattan joined forces with Tia of Jinbara to perform their powerful rendition of M.Nasir’s Mantera Semerah Padi, while Lan (The Typewriter), Black of Mentor and Jaclyn Victor belted out Sempurna, a song made popular by Indonesian group Andra & The Backbone. Aizat also gave a soulful performance of his song Pergi, and the event concluded with Datuk Siti Nurhaliza’s medley of Balqis, Nirmala and Ku Percaya Ada Cinta.

Profil Berkaitan

 Erma Fatima    Rosnah Mat Aris    Mamat Khalid    Aziz M.Osman    Datuk Ahmad Tamimi Siregar    Hatta Azad Khan    Eman Manan    Zul Huzaimy     Liyana Jasmay    Yasmin Ahmad    Azean Irdawaty    Misha Omar    M.Nasir    Jaclyn Victor    Datuk Siti Nurhaliza    Sharifah Sofea    Fatimah Abu Bakar    Dato' Haji Rahim Razali    Rozita Che Wan    Fizz Fairuz    Carmen Soo    Hans Isaac    Vanidah Imran    Rosyam Nor