| Fizah HAB |
AN EXCLUSIVE rescreening of the local film Gema Dari Menara, produced by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (formerly the Department of Religious Affairs), was held at the Arena Cineplex of Seri Q-Lap Mall in Kiulap last night.
The event was held in conjunction with the film’s 50th anniversary.
Present were Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar and spouse as well as guests and film enthusiasts.
Gema Dari Menara, the first film produced in Brunei, premiered in local theatres with a screening at the old Boon Pang Baharu cinema on October 23, 1968.
The schedule of film appreciation and art dialogue sessions, to be held at The Arena Cineplex, will be announced on the film’s social media pages.
The film’s anniversary celebration aims to pay tribute to actors and veteran artistes as well as promote passion for local films and promote the Bruneian film industry.
Senior Special Duties Officer at the Secretariat Office of the MIB Supreme Council and representative of the organising committee Dr Haji Muhammad Hadi bin Md Melayong said the rescreening aimed to promote interest for local films as well as enhance Brunei’s film industry as an effective medium for disseminating information.
He added that the event, in line with the film’s original aim, also sought to bolster faith in Allah the Almighty and promote Islamic Syariah in Brunei Darussalam to address social problems that contradict the teachings of Islam.
Original scriptwriter Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Saman bin Kahar, main actor and producer of the film Pengiran Haji Abbas bin Pengiran Haji Besar, Aishah Mohd Noor, Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Salia Awang Haji Mohd Tarif bin Pehin Orang Kaya Perdana Wangsa Haji Muhammad, Pengiran Haji Mohd Yassin as well as fellow actors and film crew members were also present.