The Red Kebaya

The Red Kebaya
Directed by	Oliver Knott
Written by	Andre Berly Ramli Hassan Oliver Knott
Produced by	Andre Berly Ramli Hassan
Starring	Ramli Hassan Vanida Imran Bob Mercer Samantha Schubert
Cinematography	Raja Muhkriz Raja Ahmad
Edited by	Kate James
Music by	Abbs Abdali
Distributed by	Golden Screen Cinemas
Release dates	November 23, 2006
Running time	100 mins
Country	Malaysia
Languages	English Malay

The Red Kebaya is a Malaysian movie which was released by Golden Screen Cinemas in 2006. The film was directed by Oliver Knott and produced by Andre Berly and Ramli Hassan on a budget of RM1.5 million. The movie was screened in Malaysian cinemas on November 23, 2006.

Synopsis

Latiff (Ramli Hassan) a famous but lonely photographer was orphaned as a small child. He sets out on an expedition to photograph abandoned houses around Malaysia. On his journey he is haunted by images and sounds that remind him of his traumatic childhood. At one particular house on the island of Penang, Latiff is magically transported back over 50 years to witness the shocking events that occurred there. Through his experience, Latiff comes to understand the significance of the Red Kebaya, a traditional Malay outfit, and the tragic circumstances that led to him being orphaned.

Cast

Main Cast

• Ramli Hassan as Latiff, the main protagonist
• Vanida Imran as Azizah, the lover of John Reynolds
• Bob Mercer as John Reynolds, an English expat in Penang in Malaysia in the 50s/60s
• Samantha Schubert as Davina Reynolds, wife of John Reynolds

Supporting Cast

• Zahim Albakri as Hoggy
  
• Sabera Shaik as Amber
  
• Fauziah Nawi as Makcik
  
• Elaine Daly as Nurul
  
• Patrick Teoh as Choong
  
• Jo Kukathas as Shanti
  
• Sham Sunder as Maniam
  
• Paula Malai Ali as Dorothy Chapman
  
• Stuart Payne as David Chapman
  
• Mohd Afif Abdul Halim as young Latiff

Production Crew

• Producers: Andre Berly and Ramli Hassan
  
• Original Music: Abbs Abdali
  
• Cinematography: Raja Muhkriz Raja Ahmad
  
• Film Editing: Kate James
  
• Sound Department: Vincent Poon and Alex Thong
  
• Visual Effects: Jamie Hediger and Michelle Hunt
  
• Digital Producer: Jonathan Dixon

Trivia

• Principal photography took 35 days, shooting was done entirely in Malaysia.
• Bob Mercer had only 3 weeks to learn and memorise his lines in Malay.
• Initially the owners of the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion were reluctant to have their premise used for filming. But after a series of meetings and much persuasion that lead them to better understand the concept of the movie, they finally allowed the crew and cast in.

Awards and Nominations

Awards Won

• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Actress - Vanida Imran
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Sound Effect - Addaudio Ex.
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Costume Designer/ Garment - Shamsu Yusof
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Poster

Awards Nominated

• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Film
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Actor - Ramli Hassan
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Actor in the Supporting Role - Zahim Albakri
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Actress in the Supporting Role - Samantha Schubert
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Cinematography - Y. M. Raja Mukhriz Raja Ahmad Kamaruddin
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Original Music Score - S. Atan
• 2007: 20th Malaysian Film Festival: Best Original Theme Song - S. Atan

External Links

• Official Site for 'The Red Kebaya'
• Review: A Sentimental, Contemporary Malaysian Story
• Review: The Red Kebaya