By Mayang Al-Mohdhar
A new Malaysian-made drama stars strong, compelling female characters.
In the mood for a female-focused neo noir thriller? Here’s Devoted, which tells the story of career woman, Eva, driven to extremes when she attempts to rescue her son and husband from the clutches of a shadowy organisation with a trail of dead bodies in its wake.
The edgy Malaysian-made drama is from video streaming service Viu and hot on the heels of hit series Jibril, The Bridge and Salon.
Premiering in late March, the series combines police procedural with family drama, and tackles the devastating pressures of career, family and alienation in a fast-paced, ultra-competitive modern world.
Often dubbed “the best actor of his generation”, Faizal Hussein is arguably Devoted’s biggest star, but the real stars of the series are the women.
Woman on a Mission
Iman Corinne Adrienne looks serene and composed despite her gruelling schedule as Devoted’s leading lady and series executive producer.
“I wanted to show modern-day problems, especially how they affect women balancing work and family,” says the experienced actress, who herself has a young son.
“We’ve taken a different approach in showing how far a mother would go for her child,” she says about her character, Eva, who risks her life in a battle with ruthless cult leader villain, Iskandar, played by Sharnaaz Ahmad.
The 41-year-old Corinne has been a familiar face on Malaysian screens for more than a decade, and she’s fought long and hard to widen the breadth of female roles in the industry.
“There is not enough diversity in female centred stories. I want to show different types of women, with different issues, at different ages and stages of life,” explains Corrine, whose early roles included starring in classics like Spinning Gasing and Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang.
Corinne’s character in Devoted, much older than the usual 20-something ingenue, is a modern woman juggling financial pressures, marriage and motherhood.
“As an actress, you get fewer and fewer roles as you get older. And the roles are also less interesting.
“But as I get older, I am a better actress. I am more capable of playing deeper, more complex roles.
“Older people in general become more interesting,” says Corrine, who spent nearly four years bringing Devoted to the screen.
She believes the depth of the lead character will provide a rich experience for audiences.
“Eva’s got guts, she’s feisty but she has flaws too. Sometimes she’s indecisive, she makes mistakes, but she represents the complexity of women’s identities,” says Corinne.
“The other women in Devoted are equally well-developed,” she adds.
“Women are not simple binary stereotypes of demure housewives versus Westernised ballbreakers,” Corinne says with a twinkle in her eye.
The Vulnerable Rival
Nadia Aqilah is her usual bubbly self as she gushes about her new role as Farah, the rival for the attention of Eva’s husband, Rizal, played by the singer and actor, Aqasha.
The twists and turns of Farah’s story are sure to leave audiences speculating as to the reality of her motives and state of
mind.
“On the surface, you might wonder if Farah is just manipulative, or just seeks men’s approval, but actually she’s on a journey to understand and change herself,” says Nadia, 33, as she describes her character’s vulnerable side.
The popular singer cum actor, who starred in and sang the theme song for hit drama Kerana Terpaksa Aku Relakan, has grown increasingly discerning when picking roles.
“I love villainous characters – I’ve come up playing villains, especially the ‘other’ woman who steals the lead’s partner!” she exclaims.
“But after a while I started saying ‘no’ because with many scripts, there wasn’t even one scene that explored why a character was the way they were.
“Whereas with Farah, her vulnerability and unexpected sincerity are what keep her from just being a conniving, husband- stealing stereotype,” Nadia says.
“I think it’s important for every character to be humanised,” adds the all-rounder who includes musical theatre credits to her name.
As she settles deeper into the rattan chairs which are part of the mise-enscène of the resort-style set, Nadia shares a personal aspect of the character that appealed to her.
“The core of Farah is about family, which is revealed through her close relationship with her brother,” says Nadia.
“I’m a very family-oriented person, and I’m very close to my brother so I could bring this real-life family bond to my performance.”
The Wisecracking Cop
The funny and charming Fazlina Ahmad Daud is perfectly cast as sarcastic forensics officer Sarjan Leini.
“When I got the script, I said, ‘You are mine. I would do anything to get you’,” says the actor, daughter of legends Ahmad Daud and Saadiah, and sister of prima donna Ogy.
Fazlina, 42, is a mainstay of Malaysian film and TV, but found herself typecast as a “mainstream” performer.
With Leini, she not only gets to play a very intelligent professional, but also one that can handle herself in a fight.
“Like me, Leini is actually a rebel. I wanted to prove, that just like Leini, being an older woman, does not mean we should be cast aside or that we aren’t capable of amazing things.”
Fondly known as “Baby”, Fazlina highlights the close relationship Leini has with her partner-in-(fighting) crime Inspektor Jefri, played by Wan Raja of KL Special Force and Dalam Botol fame.
“I like the approach with Leini and Jefri because it’s not some kind of budding romance,” says Fazlina.
“They feed off each other, tease and tell each other off in that way only people who are really close can do,” she adds characterising Jefri as Leini’s “soul brother”.
Both Penangites, the actors’ rhythms got so in-synch that it even disrupted shooting.
“Wan kept ruining takes by accidentally speaking in a Penang accent like my character does,” she laughs.
Fazlina describes how executive producer and co-star Corinne urged her to audition for Leini.
“Corinne doesn’t just talk; she lives the principle of supporting women,” Fazlina says about the actor she first met when they performed together in Dian last year.
“Leini is exactly the type of role that I’ve been working for, to prove to myself and to the industry, that I belong here, not just because of my parents, or my sister.”
More than Just a Femme Fatale
Host and media personality Tehmina Kaoosji is relatively new to acting, but she is ready to take on her most challenging role yet as the deadly Kay Sarah Bhar.
Although we can expect plenty of hand to- hand combat and killer machinations, the 34-year old was attracted to the role because Kay was so much more than that.
“I could relate to her social isolation,” says Tehmina who drew from her peripatetic background – born in India to a Hyderabadi Parsi father and Chinese Malaysian mother before moving to KL when she was 10 – to play the glamorous heiress.
“Kay plays tough, but deep inside she is struggling to find a place for herself.
“She’s like the bully at school; everyone is scared of her but actually she has no friends!” Tehmina laughs.
The actor was excited to join the cast of Devoted because the series offered a diversity of fully-fleshed out female characters.
“It’s rare to be able to play not just a ‘strong’ woman, but also one that is a textured, believable person, especially in a thriller,” says Tehmina who also stars in the upcoming film, Shadowplay.
The journalist and producer is razor sharp and intelligent, making a conversation with Tehmina an exhilarating experience. She sees parallels between the journey of the alpha female Kay and the lives of women in Malaysia.
“There is a lot of freedom for women here to work and live as we see fit, however, there is huge social pressure to fit in,” she says.
“Kay is a bridging character with Malaysian women; she fights to be herself despite pressure to conform.” Check out the Viu original series from March 28 on www.viu.com, or via the Viu app which can be downloaded via the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
