Short Film Screening
Video camera is a machine to capture instant movements, while a documentary is the edited/ selected product incorporate with the subjective and objective views.The documentaries in this exhibition shown history, social issues, environmental crises, land justice and social taboos, etc. In addition to senior directors, this curation also included new generation directors, and the work span spans nearly 20 years.Through the director’s perspective, the audience will be able to see the alternative historical development of this land, before and after the independence of Malaysia.
Video camera is a machine to capture instant movements, while a documentary is the edited/ selected product incorporate with the subjective and objective views.The documentaries in this exhibition shown history, social issues, environmental crises, land justice and social taboos, etc. In addition to senior directors, this curation also included new generation directors, and the work span spans nearly 20 years.Through the director’s perspective, the audience will be able to see the alternative historical development of this land, before and after the independence of Malaysia.
Venue : Online Streaming Date : 2nd May (Sunday) Time : 1 pm – 5 pm Moderator : Anna Har (FFN)
|
10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka (2007)
35 minutes Directed by Fahmi Reza (MY) Film Description October 20th, 1947 was a historical day in the rakyat’s constitutional struggle for independence from British colonialism. This documentary chronicles the events that culminated in the Malaya-wide ‘Hartal’ day of protest against the undemocratic Federation of Malaya Constitutional Proposals devised by the British Colonial Government and the UMNO, and the rise of the people’s democratic movement in Malaya, 10 years before Merdeka. Director Bio Fahmi Reza was born on the 7th of June, 1977. He is best known for being a Graphic designer and street artist who is known for his works with a range of political commentary and subjects. He first started garnering attention for his art in June of 2016 when he was charged with “Violating Multimedia Laws” from his clown caricature of the former Malaysian prime minister Najib Tun Razak. He is also known for his activism work and won the Most Outstanding Human Rights Film award for his documentary Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka at the 2007 Freedom Film Fest. |
The Big Durian (2003)
74 minutes Directed by Amir Muhammad (MY) Film Description On the night of 18 October 1987, a soldier ran amok with an M16 in the area of Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. Due to the thorny circumstances of the time and place, his amok triggered a citywide panic and rumours of racial riots. Director Bio Born on December 5, 1972 in Kuala Lumpur. He has a Law degree but does not use it. In 2000, he wrote and directed Malaysia’s first DV feature, LIPS TO LIPS. “The film was so bad, that everyone start to think they could make a better film.” Hence the Malaysian New Wave starts from there. More known as “Malaysian Independent Film” movement, James Lee, Osman Ali etc, had then started to make their first films. Both his THE LAST COMMUNIST and VILLAGE PEOPLE RADIO SHOW were banned in Malaysia. Not that all his previous films were pass. Hence, none of Amir Muhammad’s films had been theatrically released in Malaysia. No one could make film like Amir Muhammad. He is sharp and witty, but he is just so funny that you don’t know what to do with him. The famous incident was the screening of THE LAST COMMUNIST for the parliament members to review the ban. Expecting interviews with Chin Peng or their side of stories, the ministers were totally puzzled by the film. “It is not violent enough!” one of the minister commented. Or, other comment, “The film is too amateurish.” |
Venue : Online Streaming Date : 9th May (Sunday) Time : 1 pm – 5 pm Moderator : Dr. Loh Yoke Ling (UPSI)
|
World Without Shadow (2011)
90 minutes Directed by Khoo Eng Yow (MY) Film Description A centuries-old form of theatre is under threat in the state of Kelantan. The wayang kulit, the art of shadow play, has become the victim of conservative state policies and Islamic puritanical influences. What was once a revered art form is now seen as a threat to religious values, although it had co-existed with Islam since the 13th century. Many wayang kulit practitioners are now caught in the conflict between the art and the government. This documentary looks into the lives of the few remaining master puppeteers who hold steadfastly onto their dying art despite the great odds. Director Bio From Taiping, Malaysia and an engineer by training, his interest in still photography led him to his full time profession as an Editor. Having edited other film makers’ works in recent years, Eng Yow started making his own from 2002. He enjoys the freedom of form and style in independent filmmaking. The gritty real lives are always evident in his films as seen in his award winning short film Railway Steps and docu-drama Ah Kew the Digger. |
Absent Without Leave 不即不离 (2016)
84 minutes Directed by Lau Kek Huat 廖克發 (MY) Film Description This story begins with a man’s portrait hanging in my family home in Malaysia. The identity of this man has always been a taboo, until one day I discovered it was my grandfather, whose identity was hidden from me because he was a member of the Malaysian Communist Party. This is a journey to discover the secret history of my country through the eyes of my grandfather. Director Bio Lau, Kek-Huat Malaysian filmmaker based in Taiwan. His debut film Boluomi, was in competition Busan International Film Festival, New Currents section and Golden horse nominated for Best new director. The project won him the Tokyo Talent Award 2015, Best Script Award in 2013 Taiwan and selected for La Fabrique. Cinema du monde. His short film Nia door won Best Short Film Award, Sonje Award in Busan International film festival, selected for 38th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. Both his documentary Absent without leave and The Tree Remembers still face censorship challenge today in Malaysia. He is an alumnus of Golden Horse Academy and Berlinale & Tokyo Talents. |
Venue : Online Streaming Date : 16th May (Sunday) Time : 1 pm – 5 pm Moderator : Tan Cher Kian
|
Warisan (2014)
36 minutes Directed by Wong Siew Ki (MY) Film Description Kuala Lumpur has seen a huge transformation from a small tin mining town to a bustling city in the past few decades, but this has come at the expense of many historical grounds, buildings and villages, all of which make Kuala Lumpur unique. Realising how fast we are losing our heritage grounds, the filmmaker, Wong Siew Ki decided to document the fight of certain groups to preserve them. ‘Warisan’ tells the story of the fight to preserve Kampung Bandar Dalam, Kampung Railway and Jalan Sultan. Director Bio Wong Siew Ki is the incumbent Selangor State Legislative Assemblywoman for the Balakong state seat since 2018 and also the Chief for DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Selangor. Before joining politics, she’s a independent documentary filmmaker. In 2012, she became the director and producer of the documentary about Teoh Beng Hock’s injustice case named “Zhui Luo/ The fallen” besides working full-time in political field. In the past few years (in the year of 2013, 2014 and 2016), documentary named “Inheritance” (heritage preservation), “migration” (anti-lynas movement ) and “Instigation” (Sedition Act). |
Unlocking Bengoh (2016)
25 minutes Directed by Nova Goh (MY) Film Description Simo Sekam, Peluk Apeh and Sagen Adan’s families had lived in Sarawak’s Bengoh valley for generations until recently, when they were forced to leave their ancestral home to make way for the Bengoh reservoir dam. This story follows the director’s journey as he discovers the true cost of relocation that these families have to endure in the name of development. Director Bio Nova Goh, born and raised in West Borneo, Sarawak – a land full of wonderful and exotic culture and the home of the hornbill. In 1999, he went to Taiwan to study visual communications at the National Taiwan University of Arts. During his stay in Taiwan, he was influenced by the growing indie film scene, and became involved in various short film projects. In 2008, he returned to Borneo, where he directed his first feature-length documentary, Red Rain on the Equator, which screened in New Asian Currents section of the 2011 Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival in Japan. |
Venue : Online Streaming Date : 22nd May (Sunday) Time : 1 pm – 5 pm
Moderator : Loh Yu Chiang (Southern University College), Andy Darrel Gomez (Sunway University)
Moderator : Loh Yu Chiang (Southern University College), Andy Darrel Gomez (Sunway University)
|
Unsung (2017)
10 minutes Directed by Sanjaythiyan Santhian (MY) Film Description UNSUNG is a documentary film that attempts to break Malaysians’ stereotypes about migrant workers. With voices from multiple individuals, the film offers Malaysians insights on the struggles the migrant workers face everyday. From the dangers of their work environment, the discrimination they received from the public, and of course, the pain of leaving their families for years at a time, all for a better life for them back home. Director Bio Sanjaythiyan Santhian, 26, a Bachelor of Communication (Hons) Broadcasting graduate from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), is currently a lifestyle photographer. Independent films and filmmaking changed his perspective of life . Since then, films are not only just entertainment in the world of this Johor Bahru native. Storytelling through film is rather a luxury and privilege that he tries his best to share with friends and family. |
Skudai Vi.mage(2019)
17 minutes Directed by Southern University College & Dr. Loh Yoke Ling Film Description Kampung Baru, or New Village(s), was a military tactic under the Briggs Plan to address the communist threat during the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s. Kampung Baru Skudai is one of them. It was the new settlements formed by the predominantly Chinese in Johor Bahru. Due to the communist activities, Kampung Baru Skudai was declared as “black area” during the Malayan Emergency. This documentary reveals the story behind the barbed wire perimeter fence included the experiences of curfew and communist ambushed. Today, the Kampung Baru Skudai has been replaced with a brand new look, the once guarded settlements to prevent the attacks from the communist can only be found in the historical past. Director Bio Dr. Loh Yoke Ling, Senior Lecturer in Department of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. She is an independent documentary and film director. She has 7 years of experience in the drama and film making industry in Malaysia before she went on to further study in the field of screen studies. She is passionate about the power of storytelling through aesthetic media. |
|
Foreignoble Garbage 洋垃圾(2019)
14 minutes Directed by Wang Chu Hui Film Description This documentary is about the foreign garbage which has been imported to Malaysia from the western countries and it brings lots of environmental pollution regarding to the illegal garbage recycling factories. They process the garbage with ways that will pollute the land, water and air of the local area. In the documentary, a group of locals who wants to save their home, land and country created the Kuala Langat Environment Protect Association to fight for the environment pollution and illegal factories in order to save their hometown and country. Director Bio My name is Wang Chu Hui and I am a Junior Online Media Marketer in a Johor Company. I enjoy discovering some awareness to contribute plenty of help in our society. I’ve graduated from Southern University College in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. While in school, I participated in lots of events and media awareness campaigns to build up the awareness and the attention in the Malaysia society. |
The Nelayan(2019)
10 minutes Directed by Joshua Tarwinder Film Description Short film description: Sungai Tebrau is one of the major rivers in Johor, Malaysia where it filled with garbage and it polluted the place along the area. A team of Southern University College Mass Communication students shoot a documentary to expose the pollutions and interviewing the “Nelayan” (fishermen) who is Bahrom bin Abdul Kadeer and document their living being nearby to the river where it led the life of fisherman and the challenges they facing as the story deeply dive into the cause of pollutions. Director Bio This is Cathy, and I’m here to represent our team to share our documentary project ‘Nelayan’. The team members include Joshua Tarwinder, Li Ping, Darren Chen and Wendy Chia. We are previously a team of Degree students majoring in Department of Mass Communication of Southern University College, Johor Bahru. We have been doing a lot of video projects such as short films, advertisements, interview videos including this documentary guided by our beloved lecturers throughout our study. We are learning at the same time enjoying all the moments in the shooting process. |
Living in Pride (2020)
13 minutes
Directed by Vivian Yu (MY)
13 minutes
Directed by Vivian Yu (MY)
Film Description
The documentary is made from the perspective of a man who practices drag and attends gigs and events in drag. Drag incorporates in volition, the decision and action to dress with the intention to blur the line between gender and the collective perception of what a gender supposedly appears as. It shows how our interviewee perceives the world, and how society accepts or rejects queer people, through his experience, engagements, and encounters. It also takes a glimpse into the drag community in Kuala Lumpur, showing how vibrant, and flourishing the community can be even when faced in adversity and oppression. This symbolizes what a minority community should do — stand up and fight for their voice, come what may.
Director Bio
Vivian Yu is a broadcasting graduate from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). It was during her internship as a production assistant and upon finding her true calling in producing video content from scratch that she started making short videos related to Malaysia with her peers. In making short videos about different Malaysian sceneries and buildings mostly in Selangor, she was profoundly moved by how such documentation became part of her memory.
Currently working as an assistant editor and designer in Kuala Lumpur, Vivian is immersing herself in exploring and learning new filmmaking techniques in the media industry. She believes that different ways of narration create meanings that are invaluable to a story, even with just a picture.
Benjamin Chin is a broadcasting graduate from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). He is driven to tell stories that are important to people, and aspires to give voices to those marginalised in the form of practical assistance and storytelling because he believes stories are the catalysts of change in any facet of society.
Before joining the filmmaking industry, Benjamin taught English to children from the aboriginal villages (orang asli) in Negeri Sembilan. Currently, Benjamin is contributing to a gospel short film production as a gaffer and is exploring more aspects of the filmmaking industry.
Benjamin enjoys playing DOTA2 with his friends, and playing the piano for the church
The documentary is made from the perspective of a man who practices drag and attends gigs and events in drag. Drag incorporates in volition, the decision and action to dress with the intention to blur the line between gender and the collective perception of what a gender supposedly appears as. It shows how our interviewee perceives the world, and how society accepts or rejects queer people, through his experience, engagements, and encounters. It also takes a glimpse into the drag community in Kuala Lumpur, showing how vibrant, and flourishing the community can be even when faced in adversity and oppression. This symbolizes what a minority community should do — stand up and fight for their voice, come what may.
Director Bio
Vivian Yu is a broadcasting graduate from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). It was during her internship as a production assistant and upon finding her true calling in producing video content from scratch that she started making short videos related to Malaysia with her peers. In making short videos about different Malaysian sceneries and buildings mostly in Selangor, she was profoundly moved by how such documentation became part of her memory.
Currently working as an assistant editor and designer in Kuala Lumpur, Vivian is immersing herself in exploring and learning new filmmaking techniques in the media industry. She believes that different ways of narration create meanings that are invaluable to a story, even with just a picture.
Benjamin Chin is a broadcasting graduate from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). He is driven to tell stories that are important to people, and aspires to give voices to those marginalised in the form of practical assistance and storytelling because he believes stories are the catalysts of change in any facet of society.
Before joining the filmmaking industry, Benjamin taught English to children from the aboriginal villages (orang asli) in Negeri Sembilan. Currently, Benjamin is contributing to a gospel short film production as a gaffer and is exploring more aspects of the filmmaking industry.
Benjamin enjoys playing DOTA2 with his friends, and playing the piano for the church
Venue : Online Streaming Date : 23rd May (Sunday) Time : 1 pm – 5 pm
Moderator : Dr. Andrew Loo Hong Chuang (UTAR), Wong Yew Lee (Stateless University Student)
Moderator : Dr. Andrew Loo Hong Chuang (UTAR), Wong Yew Lee (Stateless University Student)
|
The Silent Riot (2013)
31 minutes Directed by Nadira Ilana (MY) Film Description What happens after the end of a political reign? After serving two terms as Sabah’s government, Barisan Nasional led Parti Berjaya is unexpectedly toppled by newcomers Parti Bersatu Sabah, with the cooperation of the United Sabah National Organisation. On the night the 1985 state election results are announced, the secret coalition between PBS and USNO falls apart at the seams, leading to an overnight power struggle that takes place at the State Palace. This coup would become the precursor to dramatic demonstrations the following year. An incident that is rarely talked about today — making this — The Silent Riot. Director Bio Nadira Ilana is an award-winning filmmaker, film programmer and activist from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Drawing inspiration from her Borneo heritage, she founded Telan Bulan Films with a focus on crafting contemporary indigenous and minority stories. ‘The Silent Riot’ was the first East Malaysian project to receive the Justin Louis Grant, which subsequently won Best Human Rights Documentary at Freedom Film Festival in 2012. |
Disappearing Hills (2016)
30 minutes Directed by Yeo Kai Wen (SG) Film Description Stern-faced soldiers wielding M-16 rifles stood guard as excavators mowed down rows of chrysanthemums, leaving behind broken stalks and fallen petals. At a distance, farmers stood by helplessly as they watched years of their hard work destroyed under government orders. The Cameron Highlands has in recent years been under development pressure. While this has created a secure and comfortable lifestyle for many farmers, it has also resulted in large swathes of forests being cleared to make way for farm expansion. As a result, flooding has become an annual affair, claiming property and lives while contaminating rivers with human waste, plastics and dangerous levels of pesticides. The Disappearing Hills documents the human stories behind these environmental issues. Director Bio Kai Wen has bathed in arsenic-contaminated water, travelled to the arctic’s edge, and slept in Asia’s largest slum, all in the name of telling stories. Through his photographs and videos, he hopes to better understand the human condition, and find himself in the process. He is currently based in Singapore, specialising in editorial and documentary photography and videography. Clients that he works with include Google, Facebook, and government agencies such as the Ministry of National Development. |
