Writer: Cammy Zulkifli

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Watch this if you liked: Patriotic or autobiographical films.

Director Shuhaimi Baba has once again revived her regular line of front-liners in this epical recollection of the country's heartfelt struggle to independence called "1957: Hati Malaya". Taking into account the social responsibility of relaying factual consistency while replicating the colossal emotional yield of the Malaysian heroes, Shuhaimi treads on waters which very few local directors dare to explore.

"1957: Hati Malaya" is indeed the nation's first 'independence' film. With a strong message to impart, the film takes a cue from opposite ends of the string - the contemporary, as well as the historic stance - as far as the plot is concerned. The intention is certainly noble but the film narrowly risks its distinction by instilling modern-day melodrama in a dignified tale of struggle and adversity. The contemporary portion of the film intends to enlighten the 80s and 90s babies, but it falls into a superfluous pit that rings redundant.

In the present, Maya Karin, Rusdi Ramli, Adlin Aman Ramlie and Sharifah Amani play a group of friends who are piecing together a commemorative book on the nation's independence called "1957: Hati Malaya". These young and vibrant metropolitan youngsters run research into the historic event and we, the viewer, follow them down memory lane as they progress.

It's not difficult to understand how the film tries to bridge these youngsters to the past by replenishing them as characters in the 1957 resistance. The past is construed as flashbacks - not by memory or by their comprehension of the history at hand - but as a peculiar blast to the past that does not sustain a relationship with the characters from the present.

Yet again, Shuhaimi plays favourites with her leading actors Maya and Rusdi, both of whom have appeared together in Shuhaimi's previous movies like "Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam" and "Waris Jari Hantu". A number of other noted actors in the film were also from her previous films.

However, the 'hero' of "1957: Hati Malaya" is really a couple of virtual unknowns - Zaefrul Nordin and Kamarulzaman Taib, who play historical figures Dato' Onn Ja'afar and Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj respectively. Collectively, both Zaefrul and Kamarulzaman are a force to be reckoned with and their performances are simply otherworldly, given the fact that both are new players in the field and both are playing actual figures we all once read about in history books. Their characters are upheld in their mannerisms, body language and speech, which sincerely are nothing short of award-worthy.

In the film, the struggle of 1957 begins in the mid-1940s from the period where the British-led party, the Malayan Union, was still in power. Memorable figures are abound in this film and it shamelessly name-drops some of the most revered actors in the industry which include Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin (who plays the Sultan of Johor), Dato' Mustapha Maarof (Sultan of Selangor), Kuswadinata (Sultan of Perak), Dato' Jalaluddin Hassan (Sultan of Kedah) and Dato' Rahim Razali (Sheikh Abdullah Fahim). The discerning choice of cast is in the film's favour, as a celebrated gesture of respect to the historic figures.

Incorporating realism to the film's quintessence, however, became an idea that went out the window. It's appalling to see our founding fathers smeared in pasty, almost theatrical make-up and elegance overthrown when simple and modest Malay ladies from the 40s are obviously in no short supply of M.A.C. lip gloss and eyeliner. The film could have meant so much more if it were to be just humble and comfortable in its own skin.

A share of the film is ambitiously drawn over a green screen and although still ineffective, it displaces many others who have tried and failed the same method. The will to achieve pragmatism within the film, be it story-wise or in its special effects, is exemplary and encores a tip of the hat. However, patriotism runs vein-deep in such an effort that romance between characters is without purpose. In fact, it only added a whimsical reverie to a legitimate chronicle, primarily from Maya and Rusdi's lacklustre on-screen chemistry and operatic performance.

"1957: Hati Malaya" is sentimental and ruthlessly emotional to the roots. Integrating actual archived footage of the many political agendas that took place leading up to Malaysia's independence on 31st August 1957, along with photos and comprehensive notes of study, the film is an illustrative tribute to all Malaysian heroes who fought for our freedom and independence. Dedicatedly nostalgic, it is homage to everything our forefathers stood up for in the past and a claim to every piece of this nation we now own.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008