*Kuala Lumpur, 15 September 2007* – Fahmi Reza was presented with the award for “Most Outstanding Human Rights Film” at the Komas FreedomFilmFest 2007, last night. Over the last three days, FFF07 premiered the winning films from the ‘Dare to Document’ competition with the theme “50th Merdeka – The Untold Human Rights Stories”.

Reza’s documentary, “Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka” which tackles the controversial struggle for independence from British Colonialism, won over the judges with its courageous and compelling story telling of an issue so close to Malaysian hearts.

Shanon Shah, Executive Director of Amnesty International, Malaysia, who judged the final three films with Sharon Roobol, producer of Al Jazeera’s ‘Witness’ said, “The relevance of this film to Malaysia’s current social and political context cannot be stressed enough. This film takes on issues of political participation, colonialism, freedom of association, assembly and expression, and even manages to ask razor-sharp questions about the function of a Constitution, all without skipping a beat. To have these issues explored right in the middle of a very interesting point in Malaysia’s development is courageous.

“To have these issues researched so thoroughly and presented so convincingly is an admirable exercise in intellectual integrity. And to have everything presented so confidently and engagingly, with such dramatic intensity, hails a most welcome development in Malaysian filmmaking.

“Fahmi’s film will appeal to its target young audience, as well as Malaysians old enough to remember these events.”

Reza, on receiving his award said, “This movie was made to remember and acknowledge the contributions made by the political left throughout the struggles for independence.”

Speaking about Indrani Kopal’s film, also a winner of the Justin Louis Award, “She’s My Son”, Shah said, “This film tackles a strong thought-provoking topic by telling the personal story of a Malaysian transexual woman and her mother. Sugania and Samsed are fascinating characters. She’s My Son has an intriguing opening – a sort of transsexual creation myth that has been all but forgotten.”

Ong Boon Keong’s documentary “Forgotten”, which highlights the plight of the Penang Clan Jetties, was also awarded a Justin Louis Award.

Shah said, “The film looks at this not only from the perspective of national heritage, but also explores several important aspects of economic, social and cultural rights albeit from a historical perspective. The film therefore has a strong topic, access to great characters, and a creative use of puppet theatre.”

The KOMAS Freedom Film Fest 2007 (FFF07) began its annual campaign to promote and highlight socially conscious film-making and films about human rights at the Annexe, Central Market on Friday 14th September.

The thought-provoking festival, which will also travel to Penang and JB, invites members of the public to participate in the festival through a series of captivating film screenings, workshops and engaging open dialogue sessions.

For the past three years, Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS), a Malaysian social media centre, has been promoting social and community films committed to the ideals of human rights, social justice and equality.

Tan Jo Hann, speaking on behalf of the KOMAS Board of Directors, said, “Komas wants to try and reach the general public on two levels: First for viewers to hopefully watch, get affected to the point that they will become pro-active to do something about different social issues in Malaysia and, second to instill in the film makers that social films are important and have great value to human life and society.”

The three-day event spanning over three weekends will screen some 32 thought-provoking films from all over the world including Canada, the Philippines, Australia, India and Malaysia to name a few featuring the works of inspiring and award-winning directors like Singapore’s Royston Tan and Martyn See and Malaysia’s Hilary Chiew and Chi Too.

Social filmmaking is becoming more and more popular in Malaysia as seen by the enthusiasm shown by the public for the FFF over the years and the increased quality of the film submissions. “KOMAS has been committed to supporting these efforts over the years,” said Tan who has been a social activist for 20 years.
Tan who is presently a media consultant says “we want to let people know that film is a powerful medium and that it can be used to promote human values and social messages vis-à-vis the commercialized brand of media that is churned out by Hollywood or Bollywood.”

“Dare to Document” is the running slogan of the KOMAS film festival & competition for the past 4 years, a title which encompasses the spirit of activism and concerns for human rights through filmmaking.

The winning proposals were selected based on two main considerations: social content and artistry of their film making. “The films have to be exciting and make audiences sit on the edge of the seats, but at the same time the film must be able to enlighten and educate the audience to give them new awareness and knowledge”, Tan said.

FFF07 will continue its film screenings in KL until Sunday evening, 16th September before moving on to Penang, 21st to 23rd and Johor Bahru, 28th to 30th.

Rabu, 18/7/2007

Temubual keempat di Kuala Kangsar dengan Cikgu Hashim Said. Cikgu Hashim dulu merupakan seorang cikgu Sekolah Melayu dan pernah menjadi Ketua API kawasan Padang Gajah, memimpin 400 orang pemuda. Beliau masih ingat sebuah buku yang bertajuk ‘Melihat Tanah Ayer’ (1941) karya Ibrahim Yaakub yang membangkitkan kesedaran dalam diri beliau. Pada hari yang sama kami sempat menemubual Pak Zainuddin Andika yang dulu aktif dalam API kawasan Padang Rengas. Pak Din Andika memang mahir bertukang dari dulu sampai sekarang. Di luar rumahnya terletak sebuah Bengkel Rebana Sayong yang menghasilkan alat muzik tradisional seperti rebana dan kompang.

Day 01

Meet a local artist who had painted pictures of all the jetties before – a good addition to the film for he has given a copy of 10 postcard copy of his paintings to be used.

The lady who agreed to run a puppet show for the film has postponed her availability to a month’s time (which we don’t have). Now discussing for other options.

We now have Han Chiang, a mass comm student to play a role in the final scene for our film – (the scene showing people sleeping on the jetty looking at the moon). Unfortunately, our crane (loaned from Johnnie and operated by Joseph) accidentally hit Han Chiang on her head. However, she didn’t suffer any injuries.

Forced into purchasing a costly priced fish for the shoot. It is about 2.5 ft long, weighs 4kg and was bought from the fish market at RM88.00. Initially wanted to buy from the last fisherman to return but he had contracted to sell his entire fish to fish monger at the market. We had no other choice left because the fish market was about to close. The fish was filmed when it was brought up to the jetty and also after it was barbecued. Jonathan and some film club members were there to set up the barbeque pit. Chew Jetty residents were very helpful in provision of our filming needs eg. allowing us to use the temple’s electricity;

After the shooting for the first day completed, we adjourned to Northam Cafe for dinner and rest.

Day 2

The filming process attempts to adopt an `open’ process where we go at length to incorporate ideas from the crew members – in contrast to the conventional ones which the director had decided upon. We have yet to fully achieve what we intended (should add more briefings before and after shooting, better management etc) but feel that the attempt was rather fruitful. Shooting continues as per schedule.

Although everyone was experiencing total exhaustion by the end of the shooting, we actually still had some energy left to watch 2 films supplied by Jasdev at midnight.

Day 3

I am circulating a crew list for reference and contacts. We should have done this earlier but some hitches in between had caused for it to be gone missing.

Further actions: we will be ready for editing soon and we received good news from Kris that some folks on the 3rd floor of D’ Space are willing to compose original music for the film. We look forward to the presentation of the rough cut. However we are looking for a narrator and translator (from Hokkien to English) for the film.

Temubual ketiga di Ipoh dengan Pak Majid Salleh. Pak Majid merupakan seorang pemimpin buruh yang terkemuka selepas zaman Jepun sebagai Ketua Buruh JSFTU (Johor State Federation of Trade Unions). Beliau juga aktif dalam PKMM dengan membuka cawangan PKMM di Johor awal tahun 1946. Ebrahim kendali kamera, Kecik penata bunyi dan aku menemubual. Pak Majid sempat menyanyikan untuk kami sebuah lagu perjuangan bertajuk ‘Darah Rakyat’…

Darah rakyat masih berjalan
Menderita sakit dan miskin
Bila datangnya pembalasan
Rakyat menjadi hakim

Rakyat yang menjadi hakim
Ayoh! Ayoh! Bergerak sekarang
Kemerdekaan pasti datang
Pasti datang

Third interview in Ipoh with Pak Majid Salleh. Pak Majid is a well-known labourer leader after the Japanese occupation, the Ketua Buruh JSFTU (Johor State Federation of Trade Unions). He was also active in the PKMM by opening a branch in Johor in early 1946. Ebrahim handles camera, Kecik on sound and I run interview. Pak Majid even crooned us a war anthem entitled ‘Darah Rakyat’.

Isnin, 16/7/2007

Temubual kedua dengan Pak Yahya Nassim di Kajang, Selangor. Pak Yahya dulu pernah memegang jawatan Timbalan Bendahari PKMM. Antara cerita Pak Yahya, kesedaran politik lahir dalam dirinya waktu bersekolah di Sekolah Arab Gunung Semanggol, dimana penuntut dilatih membentuk ‘Student Government’ lengkap dengan sistem kabinet dan jawatan-jawatan Menteri untuk para pelajar! Imri kendali kamera, Taj Addin penata bunyi, Mark pengurus produksi dengan Kecik & Ebrahim Harris sebagai pembantu produksi.

Second interview with Pak Yahya Nassim in Kajang, Selangor. Pak Yahya once held the position of PKMM Vice-Treasurer. Imri in charge of camera, Taj Addin on sound, Mark as production manager and Kecik and Ebrahim Haris as production assistants.

Crew Call was at 12.30pm

Kamil called and told us it was raining and therefore he could not come then, but will be late. Postponed crew call to 1.30pm. Heavy rain persisted, so, we decided to fetch Kamil. Fetched him and reached Sungai Rasah Toll at 3.30pm, headed to a food shop nearby with Mien and Effa. Had a quick lunch, then crew headed to 2nd Destination at Kapar, Klang (Suganya’s house). Started to roll the camera at 4.30pm after setting up and everything else was in sequence.

9.00pm

Crew takes a break for dinner.

11.30pm

Wrapped shooting.

Scenes

3 – Driving out of Klang
1 – Bathroom
11 – Partial scenes – nightmare

12.15am

Sent crew back to their homes.

Title: Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka

Director: Fahmi Reza
Synopsis: Unknown to many, 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, ten years before Merdeka.
Length: 30 minutes
Year: 2007
Country: Malaysia

Title: She’s My Son

Director: Indrani Kopal
Synopsis: Transgender issue is real ! Apparently this is something that many Malaysian will not admit. This special breed, ought to be treated as a sex object, or even worse as sex jokes and social outcasts. Many boys who had the urge of becoming a girl, resisted it. Suganya begs to differ. She’s my son tells the story of Suganya from her mother’s point of view. “He” before the sex change, had the courage to face the reality and today as “she” stroll the road confidently, with her family and friends accepting the reality as she did.
Length: 30 minutes
Year: 2007
Country: Malaysia

Title: Forgotten

Director: Ong Boon Keong
Synopsis: The clan jetties are at the sea front of George Town, Penang. More than 2000 ex-port workers whose contribution towards the establishment of the Penang port and the George Town city has largely been forgotten. They live in an endangered heritage area with their land lease having to be renewed every year. After waiting for more than over a century, the application for World Heritage City status for George Town hold up a hope for getting their right to land recognized.
Length: 30 minutes
Year: 2007
Country: Malaysia

Title: I love Malaya

Director: Asia Witness Production
Synopsis: In 2005, an 81-year-old man sued the Malaysian government for denying him entry into the country of his birth. This man was Chin Peng, the infamous leader of the Malayan Communist Party which waged the longest and most difficult war lasting more than 30 years; first to overthrow the British colonial government and then against the Malaysian estate. When peace was finally secured in 1989, more than 200 guerillas returned to Malaysia. However, Chin Peng, amongst many others who have remained in Southern Thailand are stateless aliens who are unable to step foot into the country they had given their lives fighting for. I Love Malaya is the story of their journey home.
Length: 40 minutes
Year: -
Country: Malaysia, Singapore

Title: River Kwai

Director: Aljazeera, 1001 East
Synopsis: The infamous Siam-Burma railway was an ugly chapter of World War Two. This story reveals the untold story of how the majority of sweat and blood spilled on the railway belonged to Asian workers forced to work as slaves by the imperial Japanese army. For the first time, some of the survivors of that horror have brought their case to court demanding compensation and an apology. 101 East follows the battle for compensation by the forgotten survivors of the Siam-Burma Death Railway.
Length: 23 minutes
Year: -
Country: -

Title: Passabe

Director: James Leong, Lynn Lee
Synopsis: The remote village of Passabe, a battle-scarred community with a horrific past, lies on the precarious border between East and West Timor. In the run-up to the vote for independence in 1999, Passabe was a base for hundreds of pro-Indonesia militiamen – East Timorese who participated in the rampage of violence that climaxed in a bloody massacre. As families continue to grieve, questions remain unanswered; who took part in the killings? Who is to blame? Five years on, one man decides to publicly own up to his role in the massacre; an explosive move that not only exposes him to possible prosecution, but also persecution from his own people. Shot over the course of a year, this film documents a quest for redemption and forgiveness. It is an intimate look into the lives of ordinary folk struggling to rebuild their lives after an armed conflict, and an exploration of the very universal themes of justice and reconciliation.
Length: 110 minutes
Year: 2007
Country: Timor

Title: Anak Kg Chubadak

Director: KOMAS
Synopsis: As a mother, an ustazah, and a daughter of Kampung Chubadak, she showed us how it is like to be all that and at the same time struggle to organize her community. This urban pioneer’s village located close to Sentul, have long been eyed by developers and DBKL (city hall). The community must learn to stand up for themselves or face losing their homes forever; one thing this mother would not want to wait and see.
Length: 14 minutes
Year: 2007
Country: Malaysia

Title: Idiot Nation

Director: Tan Meng Yoe
Synopsis: Idiot Nation is set in this fictional country called Faltasia. This film is set during the height of election season, and 4 candidates, including the incumbent, have a chance to address the nation on television.
Length: 9 minutes
Year: 2006
Country: Malaysia

Title: That The Mountains May Chant The Truth

Director: Cordillera Human Rights Alliance – KARPATAN
Synopsis: A documentary on the political killings and forced disappearances under Operation Bantay Laya led by the Arroyo government.
Length: 23 minutes
Year: 2006
Country: Phillipines

Title: Imagine Being Sued For Caring

Director: Heide Douglas
Synopsis: In Tasmania, communities came up to protest against illegal logging and got sued by timeber companies in return, who alleged that the environmentalist are trying to affect their business.
Length: 12 minutes
Year: 2005
Country: Australia

Title: Penusah Tana (The Forgotten Struggle)

Director: Hilary Chiew, Chi Too
Synopsis: For over 20 years, Ajang Kiew, a Penan leader, has been setting up blockades to protect his NATIVE Customary Rights land from the intrusion of logging companies. To his dismay, his cries and efforts have fallen on deaf ears. Now, he sets up one final struggle before palm oil plantations takes over for good.
Length: 35 minutes
Year: 2007
Country: Malaysia

Title: Modern Heroes Modern Slaves

Director: Marie Boti
Synopsis: A behind the scenes look at the situation of overseas contract workers in the wake of the death sentence imposed on domestic worker Flor Contemplacion and the imprisonment of Sarah Balabagan in Canada.
Length: 44 minutes
Year: 1997
Country: Canada

Title: There’s Blood in Your Coffee

Director: ST Exposure
Synopsis: A documentation of the massive protests launched by the striking workers in Nestle Cabuyao, Laguna, the largest Nestle Plant in Asia. The camera eye captures the violence that eventually erupts and thrusts the viewers into the frontlines of the struggle.
Length: 22 minutes
Year: 2003
Country: Philipines

Title: Suicide Jumpers

Director: Herbert Docena
Synopsis: The plight of migrants in warring state of Lebanon and what drove them to desperate measures by jumping out of the very homes they were working in.
Length: 20 minutes
Year: 2005
Country: Lebanon, Philipines

Title: Turbulent Waters (Navires de la Honte)

Director: Malcolm Guy, Michelle Smith
Synopsis: Most of the goods we consume are transported by sea on ships where working conditions recall those of the galley ships of another age. Turbulent Waters takes us into this murky world where ship owners avoid operating standards and working cinditions in force in their own countries by registering their ships offshore in tax havens like Panama, the Bahamas, or Liberia. They then hire seafarers for cheap in the Phillipines, India, China, or the Ukraine.
Length: 75 minutes
Year: 2004
Country: -

Title: WTO – why is it bad for you

Director: Ra Riviera
Synopsis: Have a look at what some experts and everyday people have to say about the World Trade Organization, delivered in the most interesting way.
Length: 5 minutes
Year:-
Country: -

Title: Half Widows

Director: Sushil Kumar
Synopsis: This is a story of missing people, boys and men, who were picked up by security forces and then simply disappeared. The location is Kashmir. Sandwiched between India and Pakistan, Kashmir is a battleground for both. Since the men are missing and not declared dead, their wives are not widows but “half widows”.
Length: 25 minutes
Year: 2006
Country: Kashmir

Title: Drying up Palestine

Director: Rima Essa, Peter Snowdon
Synopsis: A portrait of the stresses and strains imposed on Palestinian society by Israel’s almost total control over access to water and sewage facilities in the West Bank, told in the words of ordinary people. A compelling picture of the impact of military occupation on everyday life.
Length: 28 minutes
Year: 2007
Country: Palestine

Title: Trade Talking in Indonesia, Zambia and Brazil

Director: Rimba Media
Synopsis: Smaller businesses like dairy farms and textiles in developing countries are facing threats from the globalization of trades; this video shows how these small communities are working to stand on their own 2 feet against multinational giants.
Length: 24 minutes
Year: 2006
Country: Indonesia, Zambia, Brazil

Title: Exodus

Director: Sherman Ong
Synopsis: Two women and a man in cinematic dance, subtle emotions and hidden desires, revealing truth and deadly beauty. Exodus deals with the unspoken nuances of human emotions. An encounter between a lower-class ethnic hinese shampoo girl and a Javanese court dancer sparks an awakening that manifests the dialectics of obsession and the transient nature of human affection. Set against the backdrop of the dominant Javanese culture, this story deals with the aspirations and identity of the two women, each gambling for a better life in a post-Suharto era.
Length: 30 minutes
Year: 2003
Country: Indonesia, Singapore

Title: 24 hrs

Director: Royston Tan
Synopsis: Two men meet and probably spend the night together. One must leave. They would like to talk and understand what happened between them, but they speak different languages.
Length: 8 minutes
Year: 2003
Country: Singapore

Title: Brokeback Sharbat

Director: Namita Malhotra
Synopsis: Brokeback Mountain – Ang Lee’s Oscar winning film, is a story of gay love. It has spun off many paradies and take-offs. This is a trailer titled Brokeback Bharat, as part of the campaign against law that makes homosexuality in India illegal. (Malaysia has a similar law).
Length: 2 minutes
Year: 2006
Country: India

Arrow
Director: Fahmi Fadzil
Synopsis: There are many ways to use traditional weapons these days, as sometimes demonstrated during political party assemblies; this video will show you some samples.
Length: 7 minutes
Year: 2006
Country: Malaysia

Title: My New Home