Gema Dari Menara (Echoes From the Minaret) is a 1968 Bruneian documentary drama film directed by Mohasbi Ahmad, who is also served as screenwriter and editor. Released on 23 October 1968, the film is produced by Brunei Religious Affairs Department in association with Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM).[1][2] It is Brunei's first feature film and the last until the release of Ada Apa Dengan Rina, 45 years later, in 2013. A copy of the film is stored at the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS).
Set in 1960s Brunei, the film takes a look at the changes Brunei has undergone through its oil wealth, and the conflict between the younger generation, the West and their more conservative parents, with a focus on one family and how they react to the changing times.
Cast
Pengiran Abbas P.H. Besar as Azman
Dayang Aishah Md. Noor as Shamsiah
Abu Bakar Ahmad as Haji Bahar
Pengiran Umi Pengiran Idrus as Che Timah
Harun Md. Dom as Nordin
Jamaliah Abu as Noriah
Abd Kader Cheku as Zulkifle
Haji Tarif P.S.W. Haji Mohd as Hassan
Junaidi Safar as Ahmad
Yusof Hj. Kadir as the Judge
Salmah Ibrahim as Salmah
Additionally, Abdullah Chik and Kamariah Noor as well as Mahani Mydin portrays themselves in the film.
Production
In early 1960s, the Brunei Religious Affairs Department pitched the idea to producing a what would have been Brunei's first feature film. Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin, the then-department's chief, was one of the chief proponents of the project.[3] He alongside other Bruneian civil servants flew to Kuala Lumpur to attend a photography and filmmaking courses conducted by Filem Negara Malaysia. That's when they planned to produced a film on religious propagation to address the increasing secularisation and Western influences among the Bruneian citizens.[3] Although Gema Dari Menara originated from Brunei, most of its production took place in Malaysia as Brunei doesn't have its own film department or even experienced film personnel, equipments and facilities.[3]
Filem Negara Malaysia has been produced documentaries on Brunei since 1950s, beginning with Brunei: The Abode of Peace in 1952.[3]Gema Dari Menara is a directorial debut of Mohasbi Ahmad, a pseudonym of Mohammad Hassan – an actor, director and producer who worked for Filem Negara Malaysia. Jamaliah Abu, who is also worked for the film department, took her role as Noriah.[4] The film's script was co-written by Mohasbi and one of the film's cast, Haron Md. Dom in standard Malay, while its music score composed by Saiful Bahri.[4] Filming began in early 1968[5][6] and took place mostly in Brunei while its in-house production took place in Filem Negara Malaysia's soundstages in Kuala Lumpur.[4] The film's production budget is costed at a total of $140,000,00.[7][8]
Release and reception
The film was released on 23 October 1968 and screened at the New Boon Pang Theatre di Bandar Seri Begawan.[1][9] Tickets for the film's premiere were sold out. The entire proceeds from the film's charity premiere were donated to the Brunei Religious Affairs Department's Orpahanage Fund.[5] It also has been screened at the National Gallery Singapore on 6 September 2016.[1]
Gema Dari Menara celebrated its 50th anniversary on 23 October 2018.[10] A 35mm copy of the film is stored at the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[2] The film's copy is previously stored at Filem Negara Malaysia before its merger with FINAS in 2013.
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