18/04/2025

FRIDAY | APR 18, 2025

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Siti Nurhaliza records OST for Telaga Suriram

discover or binge-watch this weekend? Between technological nightmares, feminist revolts and the excesses of social media, here are five onscreen stories that are sure to disrupt, question, fascinate and entertain. Hold on to your hats, because sometimes reality can surpass fiction. Black Mirror – Season 7 (Netflix) What if technology was out to get you? The cult anthology show returns with a new series of episodes in which every screen, every app, every algorithm becomes an existential threat. From the psychological thriller to the sci-fi fable, Black Mirror maintains its magic formula with a star cast, razor-sharp writing, and the ability to play on your mind for days after viewing. Cast : Issa Rae, Awkwafina, Cristin Milioti, Will Poulter and Tracee Ellis Ross. Your Friends and Neighbours (Apple TV+) Imagine being a recently divorced hedge fund manager, lost in the storm of your life, only to discover that your neighbours are living an existence as luxurious as it is mysterious. That is exactly what happens to our protagonist who, after losing his job, finds himself stealing from his neighbours in upmarket Westmont Village. But behind these impeccable facades, he discovers secrets far darker and more dangerous than he ever expected. The show blends suspense, betrayal and mystery, in a setting where everything seems perfect on the surface, but where deeper troubles lurk behind the smiles. reach younger generations. This phenomenon helps artistes remain visible with strong support from fans of the film or drama itself. “If a drama runs for many episodes on TV, the theme song keeps playing and becomes widely recognised. It is the same with films – if the reception is strong, the song will stay alive in people’s memories,” said Siti. Meanwhile, director Osman Ali said no other singer could convey the grief of losing a child as effectively as Siti. “I am truly honoured Siti agreed to sing this song. Choosing the right song took quite some time due to detailed discussions, but in the end, we created the best track for the film,” he said. Telaga Suriram is about a missing child believed to have fallen into a well, incorporating mystical elements, local beliefs and the emotional turmoil of a mother consumed by regret. – Bernama

o Songstress completes theme tune to movie in under 30 minutes

T HE recording of the theme song for the horror film Telaga Suriram, titled Sesal , took less than 30 minutes and was flawlessly delivered by Malaysia’s national songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin. The three-minute track, composed by Nurzaidi Abd Rahman, centres around the themes of a mother’s suffering and vengeance, aligning with the narrative of the film directed by Osman Ali, which is set to premiere on May 1. Siti, who has been crowned Biduanita Negara , said the recording process went smoothly as the melody and lyrics were easy to connectwith, especially since the message resonated deeply with her maternal instincts.

“The melody was easy to grasp, and the lyrics were simple to understand. The recording was also aided by the guidance of the composer and production team, making it easier for me to internalise the song. “As a mother myself, I could really feel the emotions of regret and sorrow. Alhamdulillah , the recording went smoothly and did not take long,” she told a press conference launching the film’s original soundtrack (OST) and music video. According to the nation’s number one singer, performing a film’s OST is a way for her to continue contributing to the music industry while strengthening her artistic legacy. “To me, singing OSTs for films or dramas is a way to stay relevant and

Siti says the song resonated deeply with her maternal instincts. – BERNAMAPIC

Streaming fest for this weekend LOOKING for a show to

Cast : Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn and Hoon Lee. The Handmaid’s Tale – Season 6, final season (Hulu) The cult TV show is bowing out. After years of oppression, rebellion, grief and hope, June Osborne is set to wage her last battle. More political, more direct, this final season is an indictment of all forms of subjugation. Elisabeth Moss plays the starring role magnificently and every episode is a warning that should no longer be ignored. Cast : Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Ann Dowd, Bradley Whitford and Max Minghella Doctor Who – Season 2 (Disney+) The Doctor is back and he is not alone. This brand-new season sees the arrival of Belinda Chandra, a new curious and determined companion, on an intergalactic journey that quickly goes off the rails. The duo cannot get back to Earth – something, or someone, is stopping

them. They must confront stranger creatures, more vicious enemies and ever-more puzzling paradoxes. Doctor Who proves once again that it has more than one Tardis-based trick up its sleeve. Cast : Ncuti Gatwa, Millie Gibson and Varada Sethu. Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing – docuseries (Netflix) They may get millions of views, but who is looking out for them? This three-part documentary series explores the world of kidfluencing, where children become living marketing commodities, often in the hands of their own parents. The case of Piper Rockelle, a tween YouTube star, is at the heart of the investigation, with accusations of abuse, chilling testimonies from former members of her “Squad,” and echoes of a cult-like atmosphere. It is a dizzying dive into the excesses of a world where the “like” button can have very real consequences. – ETX Studio

Local horror flick to spook fans this May Telaga Suriram is scheduled to hit local screens. – BERNAMAPIC

eerie occurrences. “The locations we chose all had their own mystical stories, so there were indeed spooky incidents such as mysterious voices. “Additionally, some crew members felt they were being watched or saw strange apparitions. However, we considered all of it part of the job’s challenges,” he said. The film’s producer Yus Yusop said the idea to produce the horror film stemmed from his interest in folklore rich with historical and mystical elements. He said the film took a long time to complete because they emphasised precision during filming and post-production. Featuring some of the biggest names in Malaysia, including Maya Karin, Scha Alyahya, Farid Kamil, Ellie Suriaty and child actress Puteri Rafasya, Telaga Suriram is set to spook fans this May. – Bernama

TAKING nearly three years to complete, the horror film Telaga Suriram is set to hit cinemas nationwide starting May 1. Highlighting myths and mystical beliefs still held by certain rural communities, the film – produced by Odissi Creative Sdn Bhd and directed by Osman Ali – is based on the disappearance of a child believed to have fallen into a well. “We were drawn to this story because it combines mystical elements with age-old beliefs passed down through generations,” said Osman in a statement. He said the film is different from other horror films because, in addition to the usual scare tactics or ghostly elements, Telaga Suriram portrays the reality of communities still tied to old myths and beliefs. He added that during the filming process – mostly conducted in traditional village areas – the crew faced various challenges, including

The sixth season of Black Mirror is the number one show globally on Netflix, with over 11 million views in the first week. – NETFLIXPIC