Gila Talak ('Divorce Madness', 1963) (with English subtitles) (a Hussain Haniff classic comedy)

Directed by Hussain Haniff
Written by Hussain Haniff (story & screenplay)
Produced by Cathay-Keris
In Malay
Music by Zubir Said
Starring: Wahid Satay, Fatimah Ahmad, Yusof Latiff, Dollah Sarawak, Siti Tanjong Perak
, Umi Kalthom, Ani Jasmin

"There are two words that come to mind when watching 'Gila Talak' - "local" and "overlooked". Some films strike a chord with a local audience that an outsider would find implausible. That chord may be from familiar locations, music and songs, and issues exaggerated to a comedic fever pitch. It is no wonder that this film was a big hit for the film's director Hussain Haniff. As 'Gila Talak' is actually a sequel to 'Masok Angin Keluar Asap' (also in 1963) (watch the film here: https://youtu.be/pBxq7NBxlh0), both films were successes for him. While Hussain is highly regarded as Malay cinema's quintessential auteur, the two films are high-spirited comedies. But it's in 'Gila Talak' where the director gets into the groove, and this is where the "overlooked" factor comes in.

"While Hussain is just having a lot of fun with this film, he's also experimenting. Just look at the first quarter of it where instead of dialogue, the characters are singing to each other, and where scene shifts become replies. That's how the Dollah Sarawak character is suddenly found swimming in the sea off what appears to be Katong Park.

"And if there is one film where the music composer is having as much as fun as the director, 'Gila Talak' is it. This is the film that Zubir Said gets to go for broke. Listen to the 'dondang sayang' music and then a musical fusion where 'keroncong' segues into rock 'n' roll and left-turns into Hawaiian music during the long stage concert scene.

"Hussain plays with the idea of doubles and mergers. Don't forget that this was 1963, the year that Singapore merged with Malaysia. So you keep seeing pairs of couples, and even a pair of Wahid Satay, who can't be told apart, until they take down their pants! Even the stage concert is multi-racial. The parody could be seen in hindsight as prophetic; Separation took place in 1965. In 'Gila Talak', Hussain reflects an age-old dilemma - when you are with someone, you can't wait to get away. And when you get away, you can't wait to get back again. And the big wheel keeps on turning..." (National Museum of Singapore Cinematheque, 'Majulah! The Film Music of Zubir Said', 2012)

Film locations: Kampongs on the east coast of Singapore (Kampong Siglap?); Marine Parade Jetty at Joo Chiat Road end;
Kallang Park

Watch other classic Malay-language films by Hussain Haniff on 'The Rebel Passion of Hussain Haniff' youtube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Q1FXWsR0KYICZJD9cdGWUq3Jyqt-atK

Follow the 'Films of Singapore Daily' Telegram channel and Youtube playlist for updates:
https://t.me/sgfilmdaily
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