Azean Irdawaty, the Bridget Lin Chin Hsia of Malaysia, acted in the last film directed by Yasmin Ahmad titled Talentime.
Her talented daughter Elza Irdalynna also acted in the film.
Veteran actress Azean was at a loss for words over the death of a ‘gem of a friend’ whom she would ‘always hold dear’.
In a poetic tribute to Yasmin, Azean said: “She was an angel God lent us, to be a storyteller who told stories of magic, joy and enchantment we so often lose sight of.
“Her flight was brief, her leaving us is grief. Like her movies, the end came too soon, but her wisdom remains like words to a tune.”
Film-maker Amir Muhammad said Yasmin embodied the true spirit of 1Malaysia and it would live forever in her films and advertisements.
“We’ve lost a truly special friend. But her legacy of love, in Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin, Talentime, and all her inspiring films and advertisements, will be here to stay. Thanks for the memories Yasmin,” he said.
Brian Yap, who played the protagonist in Muallaf (The Reverter), said the one everlasting tribute Malaysians could give Yasmin was a commitment to ‘being Malaysian’.
“She was a Malaysian in every sense of the word. Her life will and should inspire us all to promote love, togetherness and a sense of Malaysian-ness in all that we do,” he said.
Award-winning singer Jaclyn Victor said she would forever be grateful to Yasmin for ‘bringing out the actress’ in her.
“I had a great time discovering my talent in the film Talentime and she brought out the best in me. It was such joy and pleasure being with her, and it’ll be a moment I’ll cherish forever,” she said.
Mohamad Syafie Naswip, who shot to fame as the title character in Mukhsin and subsequently starred in Talentime described Yasmin as a ‘teacher, mentor and friend’ whose love, kindness and passion for the arts and nation-building were second to none.
“She’ll always be my hero. She ‘raised me up’ and led me to achieve my dreams,” he said.
Leo Burnett managing director Tan Kien Eng said all Malaysians had lost a dear friend in Yasmin.
“She was full of love, and she loved life, art and the Malaysian dream. Things will never be the same without her,” he said.
