‘Kanang anak Langkau’ wins Asean Spirit Award at Aiffa 2017

KUCHING: Malaysian film ‘Kanang anak Langkau’ bagged the prestigious Asean Spirit Award during the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) Gala Night at Pullman Hotel here last Saturday night.

The film is based on national hero and former soldier, the late Datuk Temenggong Kanang Langkau during his battle against the communists during the Malayan Emergency.

Zainal Fikir Mohd Dali, the film producer, dedicated the award to the late Kanang who died in 2013.

“I remember when I first met him in 2008, I told him I must make a movie out of his story and he told me there were five film producers who had already approached him,” he said during a press conference after the event.

Inspired by Kanang’s passion, Zainal relentlessly convinced the late Temenggong to allow him to do the movie.

Zainal said he is grateful that Kanang gave him the blessing but is saddened that Kanang was not able to watch the final production.

“Although he has gone, I believe his fighting spirit is continuing until now.”

Kanang anak Langkau’s   director Bade Azmi admitted that making the historical film was not easy.

“I know it is not perfect but I

tried my best and put my heart and soul into this film,” Bade said.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas presented the Asean Spirit Award to the team.

Also present to receive the award was Langgi Kanang, who played his father Kanang in the movie.

Asean Spirit Award is for a film that portrays the best of Asean people, culture and lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Malaysian legendary filmmaker Tan Sri Lakshamanan Krishnan received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Aiffa 2015’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner Filipino actress Nora Aunor handed Lakshmanan the award.

Martial artist and international artist Donnie Yen took home the Asean Inspiration Award, an award given to Jackie Chan two years ago.

Yen received the award from Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Meanwhile, nine Filipino films competed in Aiffa this year; five of them which went home as winners were ‘Imbisibol’, ‘Lav Diaz’, ‘Laut’, ‘Area’ and ‘Dayang Asu’.

‘Imbisibol’ took the Best Editing while Lav Diaz won the Special Honour Award.

The Filipino talents also swept most of the awards namely Best Supporting Actress (Ana Capri – ‘Laut’), Best Supporting Actor (Ricky Davou – ‘Dayang Asu’) and Best Actress (Ai-Ai Delas Alas — ‘Area’).

Luisito Ignacio won the Best Director Award for ‘Area’.

Indonesian movies ‘Solo, Solitude’ and ‘Ziarah: Tales of the Otherwords’ both won the Special Jury Awards.

‘Ziarah: Tales of the Otherwords’ also took home the Best Screenplay Award.

Vietnamese movie ‘The Way Station’ was one of the biggest winners of the night, walking away with three awards.

It earned the titles Best Director of Photography, Best Film and its lead actor Pham Hoang Phuoc won the Best Actor Award.

Commenting on Aiffa 2017 winners, head of jury U-wei Saari said the films favoured by the jury were the ones close to the directors’ hearts.

“The films which are honest and sincere, these are the ones we jury are attracted to.”

The entertainment line-up for the night was top of the notch, bringing both legendary and new singers across Asean countries to wow the audience.

Elvira Arul, Malaysian jazz singer, opened the night with her soulful tone.

Legendary singers Ella and Zainal Abidin both sang their iconic songs ‘Standing in the eyes of the World’ and ‘Hijau’ respectively.

Malaysian comedian Harith Iskander’s jokes were able to cut across cultural barriers, leaving the multi-national audience roaring with laughter.

Philippines’ R&B voice Jason Dy collaborated with Malaysian star Fazura, singing their latest hit single ‘Nothing like Pag-Ibig’.

Judika, Indonesian crooner, singing a medley of songs brought the house down with his powerful vocals.

The gala night was hosted by Asia’s Got Talent presenters Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez.

Some of the famous Malaysian celebrities who graced the event were Hans Isaac, Norman KRU, Sharifah Amani, Raja Ilya and Liyana Jasmay.

Created to promote Asean films internationally, Aiffa is a bi-annual event which debuted in 2013.

The awards ceremony was broadcast live on RTM1.