Showtime 1958

You're like a night star

Warbling my latent longing

OCEAN PARK NIGHTCLUB, SINGAPORE

Bound to be disappointed

With no news

Oh, my soul is in anguish

Thank you.

You shine brightly

The glance of your eyes

Pierces into my heart

Adding a sense of love

In the depths of my soul

Your attitude…

The Marilyn Monroe of Singapore.

Saloma. Her voice is world-class.

Yes, truly world-class.

But she's Tompel's ex-wife, Remy.

I know.

But I have never seen her singing on stage.

This is her favorite song.

Her fiancé always asks her to sing this song.

Why are you still denying it?

Fiancé?

Yes. There, the White guy.

There.

Wow…

The White guy?

Yes.

It's all over the news already.

Ken… What's his name?

Doesn't matter.

But his Muslim name is Ahmad.

He's a Scot working here.

Always, it's the White guys who get our pretty Singapore girls.

Not necessarily.

Why, Remy?

Are you interested?

If I ever

Get your confession

I would be happy

Living in this world

Living in this world

SINGAPORE, 1958

Honey, have you started your religious classes?

Yes, I have. Twice.

So, you have reverted to Islam?

Of course.

Praise be to Allah!

A week ago, Ustaz Fuad witnessed my profession of faith.

So have you selected your Muslim name?

-My Muslim name? -Yes.

Daud.

Daud?

So, we can think about the date for the wedding--

Wait, dear.

Don't tell anyone yet.

It's still too soon.

Later, when the time comes,

I will announce it personally.

But what about your parents?

Don't worry about it.

It's for our future.

Honey!

Aren't you fasting?

Of course.

Then you can't touch me. You'll void your fast.

Void?

Honey!

Ribut! Wait.

P. RAMLEE'S OFFICE MFP STUDIO, JALAN AMPAS

Sir? Mr. Jaafar wants to see you.

It was the same last year. This year? Same thing.

How long must we go on strike?

Until when will you keep on sacking staff?

Sack, strike, sack, strike.

Until when?

This was management's decision.

I'm just following orders.

You are just the same.

All this is affecting our work.

Since last year, nothing has been settled.

If I had known it would be like this,

I'd have told them they'd be better off working at Cathay-Keris!

Don't act like this.

Why don't you stop acting like this?

Sacking people on a whim…

No salary increments…

After this, who do you want to sack next?

We'll talk about this later, okay?

Let's not discuss the dismissals now.

Sure. I can always talk later.

Our union, PERSAMA, can always talk later.

But until when?

What do we have to do?

Do you know something?

Our studio staff

cannot afford new clothes for this year's Eid celebrations.

And on the night of Eid, there'll be no fireworks.

Ramlee, I will ask the boss what the story is.

"What the story is"?

Do you know something?

In this studio, anyone can tell stories.

I can write stories.

Jamil, too, can write stories.

Even Aziz can tell stories.

Omar Rojik, too, can create stories.

But let me tell you something, and I want you to remember this.

Give those you sacked their jobs back or I will lose my temper!

1ST SHAWWAL, 1958

BIDADARI MUSLIM CEMETERY, SINGAPORE

I always pray that you are in a better place now.

And if you want to know,

I am fine here.

Tahir has grown up,

and Ernita has just turned five.

God willing, she will start school next year.

All of us miss you, Ma.

I will take my leave, Ma.

Satay sticks?

Big sis!

There are so many people outside.

They're wearing nice dresses. They're so colorful!

What are they doing?

Really?

They are celebrating Eid.

Eid? Can we celebrate it too?

Can we wear pretty and colorful dresses?

We can't, Ita.

We do not have nice clothes.

God willing, next year, we will get new clothes.

Okay.

If Ma was around, she would have bought us clothes.

Ita! Why are you saying that?

Ma is gone!

Ma is dead!

Have pity on Big Sis.

Every day, she goes to work to earn money for us.

Why are you scolding me?

Hush! No one is scolding you…

Ita, no one is angry with you. Okay?

So come, stop crying.

Here, look at me.

In a few days, we'll go out for dinner, okay?

Thank you.

Is the fried rice ready?

The customers are waiting.

-Speak or he'll never understand. -This telephone?

Boss?

Can I use your phone?

You can.

Five cents.

Here.

-Thank you. -Thank you.

Is Ribut home?

Ribut is not home.

She went out for practice.

Who is this?

Her friend.

It's okay, Auntie.

Thank you.

Thank you, boss.

Tahir.

Yes, sis.

I'm going out to collect some payments.

Then, I'm going to sell cakes at Jalan Ampas.

I should be home in the afternoon.

Don't forget to make Ita's milk.

Otherwise, she'll kick up a ruckus.

Yes, okay.

I'm going now.

One more thing.

If it rains,

don't forget to take the washing in.

I will, sis.

She looked at me

She gave me a sidelong look

Oh dear, she's smiling now

Gosh, what a sweet lady

She looked at me

She gave me a sidelong look

Oh dear, she's smiling now…

-I'll take my leave now, Auntie. -Be safe, Yanti.

-Hello, boss. -How are you?

I'm fine.

-How are you, Mr. Singh? -Okay, boss.

-All good? -Boss!

Morning, boss.

-Boss. -Mr. Singh.

-Boss! -All good?

-Good. -Boss.

Hey.

Cakes!

Come. Nasi lemak!

Boss, cakes for you?

Is that nasi lemak?

Yes, Uncle.

It's been a month of fasting.

I miss having a good nasi lemak.

What's in it?

The normal things, Uncle.