There’s A Malaysian Thriller By A Japanese Director Starring Maya Karin & Hans Isaac Out In Two Weeks

Last night was director Yasu Tanaka‘s big Malaysian moment. His so-called “baby”, Nota, had its gala premiere at the Cathay, E-Curve.

Previously shown in Penang back in August 2014 for its cast members and then in the Marche du Film section of the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, Nota is a psychological thriller starring Maya Karin, Hans Isaac and the late Ramli Hassan and it is set to hit Malaysian cinemas on the 13th of August.

Shortly before the screening began, director Yasu Tanaka took to the front of the room to recall his Malaysian beginnings.

Yasu first arrived in 2003 as part of Disney On Ice, but his career took a turn upon meeting actor Ramli Hassan, and a certain Tan Chooi Bea (the birth name of producer Bea Tanaka) who he eventually married.

The couple has been teaching scriptwriting and script analysis for many years, both involved in many programs and ventures by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS). Yasu wrote the bilingual script for Nota while Bea produced the film.

Together, they formed 42nd Pictures and this marks the production house’s debut full-length feature film.

At one point, Yasu also explained that he had a choice of pursuing one of two projects in two separate locations – Sabah or Sarawak – but Ramli convinced him to go for Bako National Park in Sarawak. It was only much later that the team found out that Ramli himself was from the Bako region.

Post-screening praise from audience members largely went towards Nota‘s director of photography, Maximilian Schmige, for the breathtaking cinematography in the film. Maximilian is a Finnish cinematographer known for his work in television, specifically for America’s Black Entertainment Network (BET).

Starring as the cold and brusque Kamal, Hans Isaac told members of the media that Nota might be his last film.

“This could be my last film; in fact I’m going to say that this is my last film,” he stated during the question and answer session.

The actor confessed that he’s quite tired by the lack of quality local writing which explains why he hasn’t been doing many films lately.

“Good scripts are so hard to come by in Malaysia these days and I will not do a film if I’m not interested in its script. So you can consider this my last film until something really good comes along.”

His co-star Maya Karin also echoed this sentiment, noting the dearth of well-written scripts coming her way. However, she stated that she will continue pursuing roles that intrigue and challenge her but along the way “continue doing her Ombak Rindus” every once in a while.

The Daily Seni was present to watch the new Malaysian edit of the film, which was said to be different from the international version we watched back in Cannes and wrote about. We can tell you that the major difference between both versions of Nota lie in their endings. To find out how exactly, make sure you watch it when it comes out in about two weeks!

Also in attendance were actresses Sofia Jane and Melissa Saila, Malaysian theatre goddess Sabera Shaik, renowned producers Dominique Hee and Sharon Gan, and author Mamu Vies.