Film screening - Antara dua darjat (Between two classes)

As part of our celebration of Malaysian arts and culture we round off the day with a screening of a classic Malay film, Antara dua Darjat – Between Two Classes, a 1960 film directed by and starring P. Ramlee, the greatest actor of the golden age of Malay film.  

Like many films of the period the film plays on a number of opposites – the poor hero and rich heroine, lower and upper class, city (Singapore) and kampung. It is also one of the most overt instances of social commentary with its focus on the intolerance and greed of the upper classes. As one of the characters says in film ‘A feudalist like him would rather see his daughter die than see her in a relationship with a commoner like you and me’ (Amir Muhammad 120 Malay Movies). A tale of love across social divide, and told in a number of flashbacks, this black and white movie is notable for several fine songs, its ‘gothic’ beginning, and complex plotting.  The movie has something for everyone.  

Please note this screening replaces the screening of Penarek Becha’ which was previously advertised.

• Director: P. Ramlee
• Length: 129 minutes
• Language: Malay with English subtitles

Contact

• Organiser: Sultan Idris Education University in collaboration with SOAS Centre of South East Asian Studies
• Email: centres@soas.ac.uk