Yasmine (2014)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2014
	Director: Siti Kamaluddin, Chan Man Ching
	Actors: Arifin Putra, Reza Rahadian, Liyana Yus
	Country: BRU
	Genre: Drama, Action
	Conditions of visioning: 11.07.2014, Theatre du Passage, NIFFF14
Synopsis: At 17, Yasmine (Yus) is experiencing changes in her life: new school, new friends, conflicts with her father (Rahadian). She subscribes to a Silat club (a Martial Art) against his will to get closer to a boy she likes.
Review: It is hard to find out whether Yasmine is the first feature-length film ever made in Brunei, or the first in 50 years, or the first Martial Arts movie, and I also found on Imbd a film from Brunei dating 2013. So many contradicting information, but for sure it is the first movie by its director, and she had to import many things from abroad because they don't exist in Brunei: cameras, material, and even professional actors or dialogs coach. It is not very clear from the poster but the main actress (in her first role) is 17 and the story is really about coming of age. Silat is just one activity she finds to differentiate herself. I was pleasantly surprised that unlike many other Martial Arts movies, this one is not just a random story revolving around fights, but rather the realistic depiction of the life of a teenager in this far away country (a sultanate actually) that is Brunei, and Silat training is just a way to see her from another side (OK and to insert some action in the movie as well). You cannot believe that it is the first movie from Brunei because it looks very professional in its images, music, fight choreography and even acting, the most surprising for some members of the cast that never acted before. Only sometimes it looks naive, but this is not disturbing. The relationships between all characters is very well told: a young selfish girl, her new friend trying to loose weight, the single father, the 'clown' master and the 'serious' master in a wheelchair. all those ingredients are nicely mixed to deliver a pleasant movie that I can recommend. No wonder it won the first price in the New Asian Cinema selection.   Below you can find some alternative movie posters that I find much better looking than the 'official' one.
Rating: 8 /10