Yasmin’s demise also felt in S’pore
(Bernama) – The demise of renowned film and advertising director Yasmin Ahmad, 51, in Kuala Lumpur Saturday night was not only felt by Malaysians, but also impacted film enthusiasts in Singapore.
Her death, caused by a stroke, raised questions on what would happen to 'Go, Thaddeus', a film that she was to direct, which is still in its early stages of production.
The film, based on a novel by Belinda Wee and its screenplay adapted by Yasmin, was backed by the Singapore Film Commission, Singapore Sports Council, Singapore Tourism Board and the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.
Fully shot in Singapore
The film portrays the determination of a Singaporean teen triathlete, Thaddeus Cheong, who passed away at age 17 when he collapsed after the triathlon selection race for the 2007 SEA Games.
The film, which will be fully shot here, was scheduled for public screening to Singaporeans and Malaysians in August 2010 in conjunction with the Youth Olympic Games hosted by Singapore for the first time.
Ascension Pictures, the film's producer, had already started casting for actors here, earlier this month.
Yasmin was also known here for advertising campaigns she directed for Singapore's Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry.
One of them is 'Eulogy' which depicts the story of a widow who recalls her husband's funeral ceremony, and another titled 'Red Shoes' which tells the story of a teenage girl who grew up with a single father.
Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur, Yasmin was laid to rest on Sunday at the USJ 22 Muslim Cemetery in Subang Jaya.
Earlier, her remains were taken to the Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque for the solat jenazah and to allow family members, friends and fans to pay their last respects.
About 200 people turned up at the mosque including residents in the area. Her remains were later taken to the cemetery and buried at about 1pm.
Gerakan president Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who was present, said the country lost a talented film director.
"We are saddened by her sudden demise. In fact, there was a negotiation going on between Yasmin and Johan Jaafar (Media Prima Bhd executive director) to produce films and commercials on racial unity and the 1Malaysia concept," he said.
A special person
Koh, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said even though Yasmin could not fulfill her wish, he hoped that other film directors would take up from where Yasmin had left off in the efforts to nurture unity through arts.
AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said the late Yasmin was a special person and full of fresh ideas.
Songwriter Habsah Hassan described Yasmin's death as a great loss to the country's film industry.
"It is difficult to find her replacement. She was cordial and able to attract people's attention easily, an attribute which enabled her to forge ties and cooperation among actors under her charge," she said.
Renowned film director Othman Hafsham said that even though he did not know Yasmin well, they did share ideas on how to produce high quality films and commercials.
"She was a filmmaker with great ideas including in interpreting the 1Malaysia concept and promoting the culture of unity in her work. Here in this cemetery we can see the testimony of her work," he said.
Senator Jins Shamsudin echoed Othman's sentiment and said that Yasmin was an extraordinary talent.
Yasmin breathed her last at 11.25pm Saturday night. She collapsed while presenting a working paper at the Sri Pentas, TV3's headquarters, on Thursday.
