SERIOUS INTENTIONS

HAVING a financier and a pool of talent is not enough to improve the movie industry. Someone has to crack the whip and instil discipline among our artistes who are laid-back about time management and have worrying discipline problems.

And hoping to do this is none other than the ``new kid on the block'' Metrowealth Movies Productions Sdn Bhd which just launched and released its debut movie Syukur 21, starring popular nasyid group Raihan.

From the looks of it, this film company, a subsidiary of the Metrowealth group of companies which has branches in 13 other countries all over the world is all geared up to enter the entertainment industry, be it the recording industry or movie-making. (The company also has branches in Korea, China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Brunei and India.)

To prove its commitment in wanting to improve the entertainment industry, its chief operating officer David Teo feels emphasis should be given to artistes with discipline problems, and injecting the right attitude.

``They shouldn't be plagued by the prima donna syndrome. They must have the right attitude - hardworking, diligent and cooperative. We are serious people and we want to work with serious people. We can't allow artistes to dictate terms to us - it should be the other way around,'' he said.

For a start, Teo has devised a new method whereby he will be able to keep a check on indisciplined artistes who are signed up by Metrowealth.

``Artistes who turn up late, say one hour, will have to pay us 1% of the sum in the agreement. Similarly, if the artiste stays away for two days or three days, we will deduct 3% and so on. But if he is conveniently absent several times, he will have to be dropped. All this will be stipulated in the contract,'' explained Teo who has 15 years of marketing, trading and sales experience.

Ask to comment on Syukur 21, Teo is confident that the RM3.5mil movie will do well considering the amount of input that the company has contributed.

``We are using the Dolby Digital Sound surround system and Sony Dynamic Digital. It's on par with Hollywood standards. Although the shooting took exactly 60 days, the post-production took a longer time. The final mixing process was carried out at the Sine Color Lab in Bangkok, Thailand. We wanted to create something different and after watching it, I think it is ... ,'' said Teo.

The concept of the film and music was conceived by Farihin Abdul Fatah, who was formerly Raihan's manager. Apart from Raihan, the cast includes Mustapha Kamal, Esya, Yassin (formerly of Brothers), Man Bai, Elly Suriati, Datin Umi Kalthum, Mahyun Ismail and Norzizi Zulkifli. Indonesian newcomer Rika Yulianti is the guest star.

Although the movie has a dose of Islamic undertone, Teo doesn't have any qualms producing it.

``With its message of good and humanitarian values, we feel it is marketable. It should appeal to the majority, regardless of race,'' he said.

The movie was shot on location in Putrajaya, and Jogjakarta, Indonesia, and one of its breathtaking shots was done at the famed underground Taman Sari Kraton Mosque in Jogjakarta.

Teo said the movie Syukur 21 engaged the expertise of people from the commercial films business. They are Eric Yeong and Ricky Lim, both directors of photography, Kamaruddin Abu, who edits commercials, and another professional Alan Wong who was roped in to handle the 3D animation graphic for the movie.

Syukur 21, directed by Aliff Najmi who is otherwise known as Eddie Pak, is scheduled for screening during the Hari Raya festivities.

Teo said Metrowealth Movies Productions which is in the home appliance, electrical, construction, engineering, education, computer and trading business, will also be producing two more movies next year.

The first one that has been confirmed is called Gagak Kayangan which will be directed by composer/singer-turned-director M. Nasir. The movie which was supposed to be produced at the cost of RM1.5mil to RM1.8mil was scheduled to take off in 1997 but due to the economic recession, all plans were put on hold.

Its scriptwriter, lyricist Loloq is fine-tuning the script and everything should be finalised early next year.

``It's a musical, romantic comedy about a group of singers aspiring to become successful. They met with an accident one day and are thrown back into the flower power era of the 1960s. The drama and humour takes off from here,'' explained Teo.

Singer Kris Dayanti has been tipped to play the lead and Teo admitted that he has held several discussions with the popular Indonesian singer and that they are in the midst of closing the deal anytime.

Even the board of directors of Metrowealth which comprises officials from Australia and Indonesia who have been consulted on this project are quite keen to get the movie off the ground.

Metrowealth has also extended its arms to the recording industry and set up MIG Records (Metrowealth International Group) last month.

It's first artiste, Iwan Mizan, is currently busy in the studios recording for his debut album to be helmed by Yassin.

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 20/12/2000