IT is the sixth year of collaboration between Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) producing Independence-themed telemovies.
Previously, these telemovies were adapted from novels and short stories. However, this year RTM and DBP are drawing inspiration from poems, namely 'Pilihan Usia' and 'Masa', by national literary laureates Datuk Baharuddin Zainal (Baha Zain) and Datuk Rahman Shaari, respectively.
The two poems have been combined and adapted into a telemovie on family and friendship, titled 'Hari Ini Semalam' and directed by Wan Mohd Afzam Wan Daud.
Making the telemovie was a "double-edged sword" for Wan Mohd Afzam and his production team.
"We chose two poems because we wanted to further develop poetry writing, in addition to introducing our national writers to the younger generation.
"Although the process was challenging, everything was in place to make the telemovie interesting and enjoyable, and found between the lines of both poems.
"There was lots of room for my team and I to create interesting an plot and characters who can inspire viewers," he said, adding that the poems could be adapted into other forms of entertainment as well for young audiences to appreciate them.
Wan Mohd Afzam was speaking at a recent press conference and preview of the telemovie at Dewan Datuk Hassan Ahmad in Menara DBP, Jalan Dewan Bahasa, Kuala Lumpur.
Also present were DBP management board chairman and national literary laureate Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan, Rahman and RTM television production deputy director Nasrul Hakim Md Noh, veteran actress Kathy Azean as well as popular actors Jay Iswazir Ismail and Amerul Affendi.
Wan Mohd Afzam further said that initially, only 'Pilihan Usia' had been picked for the telemovie.
"During the initial production process, I received 12 poems to read. These two poems were the ones that captured my interest and I felt both should be made into telemovies.
"At first, we planned to have 'Pilihan Usia' made into a single telemovie and Masa into another later.
"However, we soon realised that it would be a lot more interesting and entertaining to have them both combined into one strong story.
"After making various adjustments, my production team successfully combined the two poems into an original, patriotic telemovie," he said.
Wan Mohd Afzam had to be extra careful in ensuring that the plot did justice to the essence of both poems.
"What had to be given priority was making the national poets and their kin happy.
"When I met Baharuddin to ask for permission, he said yes almost immediately.
"He gave me complete freedom because his job was done, and he felt it was time to allow the audience to judge his work and mine.
"I received the same feedback from Rahman.
"He said that the telemovie should not deviate from the philosophical point of view behind his poem," he said.
In most RTM telemovies screened during Merdeka month, the protagonists were people who lived during the struggle for Independence and were directly or indirectly involved.
They included those involved in the anti-Malayan Union campaign, the fight against Japanese occupation or even the fight against the Communists.
Wan Mohd Afzam said this telemovie is a Merdeka story with a difference as it does not necessarily focus on people involved in the fight for freedom, but rather the process of post-Independence nation-building.
"My telemovie attempts to escape from the cliched perception that historical events involving nationalist movements and warriors are synonymous with National Day.
"Nowadays, Independence is no longer seen from physical aspects, such as waving the national flag and singing patriotic songs," he said.
"The true meaning of Independence is to have an independent soul.
"Through the characters in my story, viewers will learn that the souls of many Malaysians are not yet independent, although they live in an independent country.
"There are people whose hearts and minds lie elsewhere, even though they live in the heart of the nation," he added.
'Hari Ini Semalam' will be screened on TV1's RTM Theatre slot at 9pm on Aug 31.