“We are formed by our own cultural stereotypes which causes us to miss the changes.” - Tian Chua on 15Malaysia

From The Malaysian Insider:

Time for change, say Malaysian film-makers

Film-maker Benji Lim directed Khairy Jamaluddin in the hilarious and thought-provoking 'Meter'. - Picture by Choo Choy May

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — For the past month, Malaysians have been entertained (or not) by the works of 15 film-makers who participated in the 15Malaysia short film project. These films have been downloaded, emailed and just about made it to the hearts and minds of hundreds of thousands of Malaysians.

Last night, the 15Malaysia project ended on a pensive yet hopeful note here at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, just hours before the nation celebrated its 46th Malaysia Day.

The highly-anticipated final short film of the project — “Rojak” by the Suleiman brothers — made its nationwide debut to an enthusiastic audience. “Rojak” is a film which talks about how everything in Malaysia is mixed, from its language, culture as well as our daily interactions with one another.

The audience watching some of the films in the 15Malaysia project last night. - Picture by Choo Choy May

“I’m really happy to see that many of the people who attended tonight’s screening are not the usual ‘artsy’ crowd. It’s good to see more older people here tonight,” quipped Jordan Suleiman, one of the directors for “Rojak”.

The 15 films touched and addressed issues that remain pertinent and essential to Malaysian life, some quirky and amusing like “Halal” by Liew Seng Tat which takes the act of slaughtering a chicken according to Muslim practices to a whole new level.

When asked why they decided to direct these short films, many of them said that it was the fear of the future of Malaysia, and where it was heading that prompted them to make these films.

“It is the fear in my heart as a Malaysian, it is the fear of losing freedom of expression added with the fear of being controlled by the government that made me do this film,” explained Tan Chui Mui who directed “One Future” which starred Opposition MP Tian Chua.

“One Future” is a surreally futuristic film which depicts Malaysia as a progressive nation, with much economic and technological process, and every need of the people “taken care of” by the government.

Opposition MP Tian Chua taking a picture of film-maker Tan Chui Mui who directed him in her surrealistic film 'One Future'. - Picture by Choo Choy May

The catch is that the right to speak has been denied, and people just follow orders and procedures, adding a very Orwellian outlook into the possible interpretations of the film.

Many of the directors said the 15Malaysia project was not just about making films that are entertaining and in essence “Malaysian”, but also films which highlight the many issues Malaysians deal with almost every day.

Benji Lim who directed “Meter” which featured Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin felt that Malaysians were not doing enough to steer the nation back to its proper course. The movie, which ends with a shot of a key chain ‘keris’ is personal to Benji as he recalls reading about now-Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein’s infamous keris waving incident a few years back and being saddened by the blatant racism propagated by that action.

“At the end of the day, we accept that the keris is just a symbol. But let it continue to remain a harmless symbol. That is why I chose to de-sensitise the keris issue in my film,” said Benji.

Perhaps the most poignant quote of the night came from Tian Chua, who summarised the essence and spirit of 15Malaysia: “We are formed by our own cultural stereotypes which causes us to miss the changes.”

15Malaysia was spearheaded by renowned Malaysian singer-songwriter-producer Pete Teo and it was aimed at dealing with Malaysian issues, both the good and the bad. Fifteen films were released online for free on a weekly basis starting from Aug 17 to right up to today, Sept 16.

The project was a collaboration with Packet One (P1) Networks, a wireless broadband company, the sponsor of the entire project.

The films may be viewed or downloaded at www.15Malaysia.com.