Famed for the humanistic outlook in her work, Yasmin Ahmad is perhaps the most internationally renowned filmmaker in Malaysia today. Her TV commercials have won multiple awards throughout the world. Her feature films have been screened or selected for competition in international film festivals such as San Francisco, Berlin, Hong Kong, Singapore and Busan. In 2006, Tokyo International Film Festival honored her by featuring all her films in a special retrospective program. Her hitherto most popular feature film – ‘Sepet’ – became an instant classic of Malaysian cinema when it was released in 2004. Often based on recurring themes of youthful love in the face racial or religious intolerance, Yasmin’s films are occasionally controversial, often thought provoking, but always beautiful and humane. Yasmin is widely regarded as the most important filmmaker working in Malaysian popular cinema today.
Yasmin has passed away on 25th July 2009, leaving a void in the world of Malaysian film making. She left behind a legacy of universal love and compassion. Her stories always reminded us essence of racial harmony in Malaysia, entertaining & heartwarming.
Malaysia has definitely lost one of its most creative and inspiring minds.