Noob Film Review - B.B. - Batuh Bijanji (The Promised Stones) by Reduan and D-Ni

For a short animated which takes less than 5 minutes of story-telling, Batuh Berjanji (Bidayuh Serian which means batu perjanjian) has a few background story running at the back apart from the main one. Bibi's promise towards the friendship between her and Sarah is embedded not only in her words but also in her act grabbing the stones in the Batu Seremban game. The five Batu Seremban is also the 5 pills that Sarah has to take which in the end gives the friendship its biggest trial.

Their separation impose more questions. Why Bibi's letters are not being replied by Sarah? What is in the red box? Does Sarah's mother never approve the friendship between them? Or is it because she care enough not to interrupt Bibi's study?

Bibi and Sarah is a two different individual but linked through friendship. Bibi is honest and sincere but Sarah lost it when Bibi left (for the peninsular?). Sarah always has been struggling. Bibi picked her up while she was sitting crying alone. Bibi's presence in her life really change everything, and in the end also Bibi's absence (and her return).

It is between Temang, Sarawak and the Peninsular (I think). Between Sarah and Bibi and the sacrifice in the end?

Rotoscope work done in 10 days and by the same kids who did Hana-Bi and MV Burn The Forest Down, this is another piece by D-Mulsion Production that I think starting to have its own trademark and style, including music done by the D-Ni’s brother Adam Dani.

The imagery of five Batu Seremban stone that carries the friendship, that eventually morphed into pills.

The repeating motives of the white rectangular (doorway) that morphs from the red box? Reminds me a lot of Hitchcock’s image from Vertigo. The imagery that carries the theme right through the end.

The low framerate animation style also takes me to Dr. Razli Dalan’s experimental Haruan : The Snakehead where the framerate really plays a part in provoking the viewers into the emotion. Which is also a tale of social commentary.

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