Reposted from: Yasmin the Storyteller
Wednesday, February 09, 2005

This, inshaallah, will be the title of my next film.

The Storytellers’ Club members are all too familiar with the opening sequence to this. The caller of the azan, his wife, and their close friendship with two prostitutes.

But the bulk of “Gubra” isn’t about them at all. It will be, the way I’ve been constructing it in my mind, about a woman named Orked and her parents. Those who have seen “Rabun” will know who they are. And those who will see “Sepet” will know them even better.

“Gubra” is intended to examine one common phenomenon: The simple everyday fact that when we experience betrayal, it is more often than not committed unto us by people who love us; not people who hate us.

I guess in the end, “Gubra” will be about love (because, as John Cassavetes once said, “nothing else interests me”), it will be about betrayal, and in the end, the difficult but inevitable question of whether or not to forgive the people who betray us.

Oh yes, and the photograph I’ve posted here shows my nephew Etienne and I at my in-laws’ house earlier this afternoon, just before our Chinese New Year family lunch. Why did I use it to illustrate my third film? I don’t know. Firstly, I’m considering featuring him in the film. And secondly, the expression on our faces, I guess. It says “Gubra” (anxiety) to me.

Yasmin
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying, especially to people who think that being cynical and cold is cool. Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink.

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This photo was taken on February 9, 2005 using a Canon Digital IXUS 400. Viewed 2,057 times

Reposted from: Yasmin the Storyteller
Monday, February 07, 2005

Cheh-bah! To mark the inception of The Storytellers’ Club (TSC, because many noted that SFC sounded too much like a football club or an over-priced coffee shop), we shall now attempt to concur on the day, date and time whence we shall meet, drink coffee, talk cock, and then catch the best first film ever made: Pather Panchali, the first part of the Apu Trilogy.

And the first member to propose a date and time is… (drum roll, followed by crashing of cymbals)… THE VISITOR!!!

Yasmin
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying, especially to people who think that being cynical and cold is cool. Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink.

View Complete Profile

This photo was taken on February 7, 2005.
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Act I of Luck and Loss: Manandin’s Gamble

Luck and Loss: Manandin’s Gamble

Traditional Indonesian Randai
Directed by Kirstin Pauka
Guest Master Artists: Mohamad Halim and Saparman Bin Jamaludin

Jan. 28, 29, Feb. 3, 4, 5, & 6 2005

A traditional West Sumatran Randai folk play featuring martial arts, dance, singing, music, and pants-slapping percussion, Manandin’s Gamble is a traditional coming-of-age story about love, gambling, and adventure. Master artists from West Sumatra, Mohamad Halim, internationally renowned master of traditional Minangkabau music, and Saparman Bin Jamaludin, master-teacher of Randai dance, acting, and silat (martial arts) will provide specialized training. UHM is the only university in the world that produces Indonesian Randai in English.

Luck and Loss: Manandin’s Gamble

Traditional Indonesian Randai
Directed by Kirstin Pauka
Guest Master Artists: Mohamad Halim and Saparman Bin Jamaludin

Jan. 28, 29, Feb. 3, 4, 5, & 6 2005

A traditional West Sumatran Randai folk play featuring martial arts, dance, singing, music, and pants-slapping percussion, Manandin’s Gamble is a traditional coming-of-age story about love, gambling, and adventure. Master artists from West Sumatra, Mohamad Halim, internationally renowned master of traditional Minangkabau music, and Saparman Bin Jamaludin, master-teacher of Randai dance, acting, and silat (martial arts) will provide specialized training. UHM is the only university in the world that produces Indonesian Randai in English.

Annie Lokomaika′i Lipscomb, a student at the University of Hawai′i at Mānoa, discusses her experience with Randai in 2005.

Dr. Kirstin Pauka, a professor of Southeast Asian Theatre at the University of Hawai′i at Mānoa, discusses music within Randai.

Gilbert Molina, a student at the University of Hawai′i at Mānoa, discusses his participation in the 2005 Randai performance at Kennedy Theatre.

Dr. Kirstin Pauka, a professor of Southeast Asian Theatre at the University of Hawai′i at Mānoa, discusses dance within Randai.

KHON News coverage from 2005 about the local production of Luck & Loss: Manandin’s Gamble.

For more information vist hawaii.edu/theatre