Lukisan Hati: A First Time Masterpiece

By Shaun Lee

Life is a journey and through this journey there will be times we cherish and trying times we have to face.  However, we must never forget that no matter what life puts ahead of us, we should always remember that true friends will always be there to provide a hand, support us through our undertakings and lend us a shoulder to cry on.  Such is the theme displayed in Lukisan Hati, a film based on a comic by Anshari Rahizan.

The film directed by Irwan Idris, tells of Yusof, a struggling painter in UCSI and Wardah, a photographer who had just been through a breakup and is trying to find out the identity of the artist who drew a portrait of her, who is Daud, Yusof’s friend. Daud is Wardah’s secret admirer. Throughout the movie, Yusof tries his best to improve his paintings to the point of almost neglecting his girlfriend, Norliana.

Wardah, on the other hand, is initially disheartened by her breakup but tries her best to capture the happy moments of others as living by her dad’s motto which is, “The job of a photographer to capture people’s best memories”. Meanwhile, Norliana, who is pretty and talented, is offered a job as an actress but has to relocate to Sabah.  She foregoes the offer in order to stay close to Yusof.

Yusof, who does not realize this, does nothing to stop her. He sees himself as an inferior compared to her.  It is only after Wardah admonishes him for being selfish and the reason Norliana rejected the offer that Yusof realizes his fault and wholeheartedly gives Norliana his support for her to accept the job.

Wardah’s quest to learn the identity of the artist ends when Daud admits that he drew her portrait after almost coming to blow with Wardah’s ex-boyfriend Razif, who was trying to reconcile with her.  Eventually, Wardah chooses neither Razif nor Daud but instead remains friends with the latter.

Lukisan Hati is a landmark achievement for HS Maju Production Sdn. Bhd., an independent film production company which comprises of youths trying their hand at producing for the first time.  Led by Nor Hamzie Hambali, who is just 25 years old, the whole project which took seven months of hard work, has finally paid off.

The crew filmed and produced the movie on their own without seeking help and although they encountered some unfortunate incidents along the way, they remained resilient and saw the movie through the end.  This form of dedication is rarely seen in today’s youth and truly an effort which deserves praise.

This movie also marks a landmark for UCSI being the location’s sponsor as majority of filming was done in the Taman Connaught’s North Wing Campus.  Some of the more prominent locations involved were the café where the main characters gathered and had their discussions, the hall where Norliana was performing and the corridor in which the final gathering of friends for the photograph scene before the ending credits.

Overall, Lukisan Hati should not be missed not only for the messages it carries but also an example of what dedication and perseverance can achieve.  This movie and the crew that made it possible to tell the story of friendship and dedication towards a cause in the best possible way.

It may be HS Maju Production’s debut in movie-making but it most certainly won’t be the last time we will hear of this independent production company. What more with the help of UCSI University to give a leg-up to a young company like this.

According to Professor Norfadzillah Hitam, Vice President Corporate Affairs then, “UCSI University’s involvement in this project is a noble Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to encourage and promote Malaysia’s young entrepreneurs”.