*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.