Fridae

Yasmin Ahmad is one of the most powerful voices of Malaysian cinema today.

Since her sleeper hit Sepet (Chinese Eyes) about an interracial romance involving a Chinese boy and a Malay girl, she has ventured into more risky territory with Gubra (the sequel to Sepet) and now Mukhsin (the prequel to Sepet). Though neither of her latter films come close to being as accessible and charming as Sepet, there is no denying that Yasmin is a director to watch.

Mukhsin takes us back to when Orked (the female protagonist in Sepet and Gubra) was only 10-years-old and falling in love for the first time with a teenage boy from out of town. They both experience the first blush of love, touchingly depicted in the film, but the reality of their contrasting family backgrounds constantly intrudes.

Mukhsin won two prizes at the last Berlin International Film Festival, namely the Grand Prize of International Jury and the 2nd Prize from the Youth Jury. Rock on, Yasmin!