Sepet


Sepet is a 2005 Malaysian Malay-language teen romantic comedy-drama film set in Ipoh, Malaysia. Directed by Yasmin Ahmad, it tells of a love that blooms between a Chinese boy and a Malay girl. Sepet is a Malay word which, in this context, refers to the 'slit eyes' of the Chinese.

Plot

19-year-old Ah Loong is in charge of a market stall selling pirated VCDs, but is an incurable romantic with an unlikely hobby: he loves to read and write poetry. One day, his life takes a sudden turn one day when a Malay schoolgirl, Orked, comes to his stall looking for films starring her favourite actor, Takeshi Kaneshiro. Jason and Orked start a romantic relationship, although social and racial pressures stand in their way.
Jason is involved in a road accident while Orked is going to England to pursue her studies. In a post credits scene, Orked is shown sleeping beside Jason, both wearing a wedding ring.

Cast

Awards

YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResult
200518th Tokyo International Film FestivalBest Asian Film AwardWon
2005Ninth Malaysian Video AwardsBest FilmWon
200527th Créteil International [Women's Film Festival] in FranceBest FilmWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest FilmWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest Original ScreenplayYasmin AhmadWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest Supporting ActressIda NerinaWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest Supporting ActressAdibah NoorNomitated
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalMost Promising ActorNg Choo SeongWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalMost Promising ActressSharifah AmaniWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest PosterWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest DirectorYasmin AhmadWon
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest Supporting ActorHarith IskanderNomitated
200518th Malaysia Film FestivalBest EditorAffandi JamaludinNomitated
2005Global Chinese Golden Arts AwardsBest FilmWon
2005Anugerah EraBest FilmWon

Sequels

The sequel to Sepet, called Gubra, was filmed in Ipoh, Malaysia and released in 2006. The third movie in Yasmin Ahmad's Orked trilogy is a prequel to both Sepet and Gubra, titled Mukhsin.

Adaptations

Theatre company Liver & Lung debuted a musical adaptation of Sepet in September 2019. Shafeeq Shajahan directed the adaptation, with music and lyrics by Shajahan and Badrish. The adaptation was a critical success, winning Best Direction at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 2020. Joshua Anthony Gui and Badrika Baluch played the roles of Jason and Orked in the adaptation, receiving positive reviews. Theatre critic website Critic Republic wrote that the musical had an "unexpected quality, where audiences all cried, laughed and smiled together."
Songs from the musical were released on Spotify in July 2021, to celebrate Yasmin Ahmad's 12 year death anniversary.