SLIGHT OF THOUGHT

Ayat-Ayat Cinta (literally meaning The Verses of Love) is an Indonesian filmRianti Cartwright, Carissa Putri, Melanie Putria, and Zaskia Adya Mecca. It is a romantic religious film which is based on best-selling novel with the same title by Habiburrahman El Shirazy. The story is actually based in Cairo, Egypt, but instead of shooting in Cairo, the movie was shot in India and Semarang, Indonesia.^[2] Ayat-Ayat Cinta was released on February 28, 2008 in Indonesia, May 8, 2008 in Singapore, and June 19, 2008 in Malaysia. by Hanung Bramantyo starred by Fedi Nuril,

SYNOPSIS:

Ayat Ayat Cinta is the tale of a virtuous Muslim protagonist who overcomes all obstacles in life maintaining pure ideals.

Fedi Nuril as Fahri bin Abdillah is a poor, intelligent student who wins a scholarship to complete his graduate degree at Egypt's esteemed Al Azhar University. Very disciplined and dedicated by nature, Fahri embraces his life in Cairo, completing his studies and translation of religious books with full enthusiasm, exactly according to pre-determined targets.

Only one goal is left unattempted: the pursuit of marriage.

For Fahri is innocent and pure, and doesn't believe in the concept of relationships prior to marriage. He is inarticulate and shy around women. All his life, only two women have been close to him – his mother and grandmother.

Life changes drastically in Egypt for he suddenly finds himself surrounded by four beautiful, distinctly different women.

Carissa Putri as Maria Girgis, a shy, open-minded Coptic neighbor who is attracted to the teachings of the Quran, finds herself falling in love with Fahri (a fact she only reveals to her diary).

Melanie Putria as Nurul, a student at Al Azhar like Fahri, is the Muslim daughter of a renowned Indonesian cleric. Fahri feels unworthy of her and thus ignores his feelings for her, leaving her confused and guessing.

Zaskia Adya Mecca as Noura, an abused Egyptian neighbor, develops strong romantic feelings for Fahri, who in turn simply sympathizes with her situation. His romantic rejection destroys her and eventually leads to a false accusation of rape.

Rianti Cartwright as Aisha, a German-Turkish student in Cairo haunts Fahri with her beautiful eyes. Following an incident on the metro where Fahri defends her against narrow minded bigoted Muslims, both immediately develop feelings for each other.

RELEASED:

Ayat-Ayat Cinta was initially set to be released in cinemas in December 19, 2007. However, the release date was constantly changed due to several problems, but it ultimately premiered on February 28, 2008.

BOX OFFICE PREFORMANCE:

In its opening weekend, Ayat-Ayat Cinta grossed RM 3.6 million in Indonesia, and grossed $39.882 million in 5 theaters in Singapore, ranking at #8 and averaged an estimated $7,976 per theater^[3]. In Malaysia, the movie grossed $15.521 million in 22 theaters, ranking at #11 and averaged an estimated $706 per theater.^[4]

^{COMPARISON TO THE NOVEL:}

• In the novel, Maria has a younger brother named Yousef, while in the film Maria is depicted as the only child.

• When Fahri was arrested and put in jail, he was imprisoned with respected scholars, namely Professor Abdul Rauf, Ismail, Hamada, Haj Rashed and also Marwan. However, in the movie, Fahri was imprisoned with a cruel culprit.

• At the end of the novel, Alicia the American reporter returns to Egypt to visit Fahri as a new muslimah. However, in the movie, Alicia did not convert herself as a muslimah.

SOUNDTRACK:

The film's title track Ayat-Ayat Cinta was selected as the lead single of the album soundtrack to promote the film. A music video was also made for the single.

1. "Ayat-Ayat Cinta" (Rossa) — 3:48
2. "Jalan Cinta" (Sherina) — 4:32
3. "Takdir Cinta" (Rossa) — 3:32
4. "Tercipta Untukku" (featuring Rossa) (Ungu) — 4:25
5. "Andai Ku Tahu" (Ungu) — 4:46
6. "Opening Scene" (Music Scoring) — 2:41
7. "Letter From Noura" (Music Scoring) — 1:18
8. "Thalagi" (Music Scoring) — 1:13
9. "The Basket" (Music Scoring) 1:06
10. "Ayat-Ayat Cinta" (Minus One) — 3:47
11. "Jalan Cinta" (Minus One) — 4:32
12. "Takdir Cinta" (Minus One) — 3:30

REFERENCES:

1. ^ "Acts of Faith". 2008-06-15. http://star-ecentral.com/services/sprinterfriendly.asp?file=/2008/6/15/movies/21179450&sec=movies. 
2. ^ "Di Balik Layar Pembuatan AAC"
3. ^ "Singapore Box Office". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/singapore/?yr=2008&wk=20&p=.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-06. 
4. ^ "Ayat-Ayat Cinta (2008) - Weekend Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/malaysia/?yr=2008&wk=25&p=.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-06.