SINGAPORE: The Asian Film Archive has curated a free film screening of the classic war film "Sarjan Hassan" in conjunction with the anniversary celebrations of two WWII museums in Singapore – Memories at Old Ford Factory and Reflections at Bukit Chandu where the film will be screened.

"Screening Sarjan Hassan (Sergeant Hassan) at Bukit Chandu is significant," says Tan Bee Thiam, Executive Director, Asian Film Archive. "This is where the Malay Regiment fought gallantly for Singapore in Feb 1942 against the invading Japanese. Through the film, audiences can relive Singapore’s social memories of the war."

The film is a wartime drama made in 1955 by two prominent film masters of the time; P. Ramlee from Singapore and Lamberto Avellana, from the Philippines.

"This film also represents a period (1940s to 1950s) in our film history where Indian and Filipino filmmakers collaborated with local filmmakers, passing on skills and know-how that set the foundation for the golden era of Malay cinema to take off," continues Ms Tan.

Set in the period of the Japanese Occupation in Malaya, the movie follows the trials and tribulations of an adopted boy, Hassan (played by P. Ramlee himself), who rises up to the challenges of life, while serving his people as a sergeant in the Malay Infantry Regiment.

As with most wartime movies, the human qualities of honour, loyalty and integrity are duly tested in this story through the characters of Hassan, his step-brother, a Malay Japanese collaborator named Buang, and the infamous Kempeitai (Japanese police).

According to one critic, the fine passionate work of the lead actor and the supporting cast show exactly why the Malay movie industry flourished in the 1950's and why this is considered one of P. Ramlee’s finest works.

Members of the public can attend the free outdoor screening of Sarjan Hassan at Reflections @ Bukit Chandu on Saturday 10 February at 6pm, with free transport provided from Harbourfront MRT. - cna/yy

Sarjan Hassan (aka Sergeant Hassan)
Directed by Lamberto Avallena and P. Ramlee
Starring P. Ramlee and Jins Shamsuddin
Organised by the National Archives of Singapore and curated by the Asian Film Archive