Ibu Mertua-ku

Ibu Mertuaku (Malay: My Mother In-Law) is a 1962 Singaporean Malay-language black-and-white melodrama film directed by and starring silver-screen legend P. Ramlee. The film's story revolves around the tragic love affair between Kassim Selamat, a poor musician, and Sabariah, the only daughter of a wealthy woman.

The movie is notable in that the opening act starts out as a light-hearted romantic comedy, but at the 30 minute mark turns into a dramatic tragedy. Like a number of P. Ramlee's works, the film criticises the unofficial caste system that separates the wealthy from the poor. This film is considered a Malaysian classic, not only for some of its songs - notably "Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti" - but also for its depiction of a famous tragedy-induced eye-stabbing scene during the film's climax.

Plot

In 1960s Singapore, Sabariah Mansoor falls in love with Kassim Selamat, a talented saxophonist. Her wealthy mother, Nyonya Mansoor, wants her to marry Dr. Ismadi instead and disowns Sabariah when she chooses Kassim. The couple moves to Penang but soon runs out of money, forcing Kassim to work as a laborer.

Sabariah's mother visits and convinces her to return to Singapore for the birth of her baby, secretly planning to separate the couple. Kassim receives a fake telegram saying Sabariah died in childbirth, leading him into deep depression. Sabariah, believing Kassim abandoned her, divorces him and marries Dr. Ismadi.

Kassim goes blind from crying and is taken in by a kind woman named Mami and her daughter Chombi. He restarts his music career under the name "Osman Jailani" and becomes famous. While performing in Singapore, Sabariah sees him and arranges for Dr. Ismadi to restore his sight.

After the operation, Kassim discovers the truth about Sabariah's fate and their son. Overcome with grief, he blinds himself again. Chombi finds him, and they leave for Penang, leaving Sabariah heartbroken.