KUALA LUMPUR: The Ziarah National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) Prihatin 3.0 Programme provides opportunities for veteran artistes to make a comeback.
Chairman, Zakaria Abdul Hamid (pix, left) said, through the platform, old timers who have long left the industry are offered acting or singing jobs by the producers.
“Apart from making visits, the Finas Prihatin Programme gives the forgotten veteran artistes the chance to be active again in their respective fields,” he said after calling on seven veteran artistes, among them actor and film director Datuk Rahim Razali (pix, right), actress Rozie Othman and singer Julie Sudiro today.
They each received RM1,000 in cash and daily necessities, contributed by Finas strategic partners namely Civil Defence Emergency Response Team (CDERT), Felda Foundation, GISB Holdings, Al-Najah (KL) Berhad Cooperation and Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim)in collaboration with the Malaysian Artistes Association (Seniman) and Film Directors’ Association of Malaysia (FDAM).
Rahim, who had directed films such as Abang, Abang 92, Tsue Feh Sofiah and Anak Sarawak, said he is still involved in the film industry although the offers have not been as good as before.
“I will continue to be in my favourite field, which is the cultural and creative industry, and if time permits I hope to produce my last film in which I am the screenwriter and director either this year or next year,” said the 82-year-old former sports commentator.
Meanwhile popular jazz, blues, pop and keroncong singer Julie said she was grateful for the visit and contribution, as this proves that veteran artistes are still being remembered.
The programme aims to show appreciation to those who had contributed to the country’s creative industry, especially veteran artistes who are suffering from health problems or illness, as well as those who have lost their source of income due to the Covid-19 outbreak. - Bernama
