Cinema
Musang Berjanggut
P. Ramlee · 1959
Synopsis
In the kingdom of Pura Cendana, Prince Tun Nila Utama, the king's adopted son, refuses all the women of the kingdom, whom he judges unworthy of him. He swears not to shave until he has found better and sets off with a bag in which he has mixed rice, salt, chilli, onions and spices: he will marry the woman who can cook this mixture. He finally finds Puspawangi, beautiful, bold and intelligent, whose beauty soon disturbs the court.
Context
P. Ramlee directed the film, wrote the screenplay with Saadiah, composed the music and plays the prince; produced in Singapore by the Shaw brothers' studios, it was released on 1 August 1959, in black and white. It first follows the manner of Malay folk tales, with their marvels and morals, then turns to court farce when the king and his ministers fall for the prince's wife. It is read as a satire of rulers who abuse their power and of devout men who use religion for their own ends.
Who it is for
A comedy in Malay; the tale can be followed without knowing the popular stories it draws on.
Prizes and reception
Today regarded as one of P. Ramlee's sharpest social satires.
Sources for this page 3
The pages consulted to check this page.