FILM DIRECTOR YASMIN'S DEMISE ALSO FELT IN SINGAPORE

BY ZAKARIA ABDUL WAHAB

SINGAPORE, July 27 (Bernama) – The demise of renowned film and advertising
director Yasmin Ahmad, 51, in Kuala Lumpur last night was not only felt by
Malaysians, but also impacted film enthusiasts in Singapore.

Her death, caused by a stroke, raised questions on what would happen to ‘Go,
Thaddeus’, a film that she was to direct, which is still in its early stages of
production.

The film, based on a novel by Belinda Wee and its screenplay adapted by
Yasmin, was backed by the Singapore Film Commission, Singapore Sports Council,
Singapore Tourism Board and the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising
Committee.

The film portrays the determination of a Singaporean teen triathlete,
Thaddeus Cheong, who passed away at age 17 when he collapsed after the triathlon
selection race for the 2007 SEA Games.

The film, which will be fully shot here, was scheduled for public screening
to Singaporeans and Malaysians in August 2010 in conjuction with the Youth
Olympic Games hosted by Singapore for the first time.

Ascension Pictures, the film's producer, had already started casting for
actors here, earlier this month.

Yasmin was also known here for advertising campaigns she directed for
Singapore's Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry.

One of them is ‘Eulogy’ which depicts the story of a widow who recalls her
husband's funeral ceremony, and another titled ‘Red Shoes’ which tells the story
of a teenage girl who grew up with a single father.

--BERNAMA