Monday July 27, 2009
Goodbye Yasmin
Goodbye Yasmin
Farewell dear friend
Yasmin Ahmad, the Storyteller
THOSE familiar with Yasmin Ahmad’s first blog (yasminthestoryteller.blogspot.com) would know that each day she spent on earth was one she cherished deeply. In her words on the blog, she claimed to be optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying. And in keeping with her honest, heartfelt approach to life she said: “I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh...”
Yasmin’s love for life, and her enviable work ethic will be greatly missed in the local film industry. She was an inspiration, to say the least.
Young actor Hon Kahoe, who was slated for Yasmin’s next project, Wasurenagusa, first got to know her on the set of Talentime last year. He plans to keep his promise to Yasmin to become a director one day. “Yasmin would always teach me about directing, and advise me on many things relating to the movie industry. I’m going to prove to her that I can achieve this. ”
Another teenager, Syafie Naswip, who worked with Yasmin on Mukhsin and Talentime said that she was like a mother to him.
“Over the time that I knew her, she helped me through my difficulties and was a guide to me when it came to making choices about what path to take in my life.”
Actor Jit Murad, who worked with Yasmin on Talentime said: “My friend Yasmin was – and it breaks my heart to use the past tense – a fascinating combination of intelligence, spirituality, kindness and humour. Her work and relationships testify to these qualities. My grief and stunned disbelief is only barely leavened by the blessing I feel for having known and loved her for the period that I did.”
Budding filmmaker and actor Linus Chung (Sepet) was too emotional to speak when contacted. “Thank you, Yasmin, for everything. That’s all I can say.” Chung, however, has written a tribute on his blog where he said that Yasmin had taught him the meaning of love: “She made me realise how important love is in a world that has largely forgotten it. ‘Love Linus, love the world and you will understand the world.’ ”
Actress/singer Adibah Noor, who had worked with Yasmin in her commercials as well as movies shared: “It is not too extreme to say that Yasmin was a medium through whom the Creator sought to inspire us immortals. Perhaps Allah is relieving her of the task since some of us have continuously failed to understand what He was trying to tell us through her.”
Newcomer Pamela Chong (Talentime) said that “Mak Yasmin” played one of the most important roles in her life: “She gave me my first movie; she made my dream come true. I miss her. I always will. But she lives on in our hearts and in her work.”
Alan Yun (Gubra) said: “Yasmin’s generosity in terms of giving will be missed. She was someone who had so much love for the nation and its people despite our differences.”
Related Stories:
Inspiring legacy
Friend to all
RSS
