Director: P. Ramlee
Runtime: 120 mins
Country: Singapore
Language: Malay with English subtitles
Rating: PG

Synopsis

Ibu Mertua Ku tells a doomed love story between Sabariah, the daughter of a wealthy matriarch, and Kassim Selamat, a small-time musician played by P. Ramlee. Despite her mother’s objections to the marriage, the pair decides to leave for Penang to start a new life, severing family ties as a result. Financial problems affect their marriage and Sabariah eventually reaches out to her mother for help. The matriarch takes advantage of the couple’s vulnerable state, but her actions bring about tragic consequences for everyone involved.

Ibu Mertua Ku is often cited as a prime example of P. Ramlee’s auteurship, masterfully balancing melodrama with incisive social critique, particularly on themes of gender roles, filial duty, and urban class divides. The film was a box-office success upon its release.

This screening is part of the programme Off the Catalogue: A P. Ramlee Focus (May 2025). For more screenings, please click here. 

Friends of AFA members, please read the membership guide on how to purchase your discounted tickets and redeem your complimentary tickets.

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Important Notice:

Do note that Oldham Theatre operates on a free seating arrangement. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime so arrive early to choose a seat and avoid disrupting the screenings as AFA does not play ads and screenings will start promptly.

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Concession tickets apply to Students (Local & Overseas), Full-time National Servicemen (NSF), Senior Citizens (55 years and above) only.

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