Whilst activists use the phrase “Human Rights” everyday, the words remain jargon to the person on the street. But ask the same person if he/she has been treated unfairly and you would most probably get a mouthfull. 

How does one transform from being merely aware of human rights into someone who internalises the concept? This documentary looks for the answer by following the stories of three different profiles whose lives were transformed by their own experience of human rights violations. 

“Mari Kita Beraktivism” is a series of short films that tell the stories of ordinary folk whose lives have been transformed by their experiences with human rights.

In “Best la Punk”, Kechik and Ebrahim, two seemingly ordinary urban youths, share how their interest in punk music initiated them into a different perspective of life and society.

“Binatang pun perlu tanah” follows the process of how Sinui Pai Nanek Sengik(SPNS), an Orang Asli community organisation transformed from being passive victims to actively fighting for their survival. 

”No damn right” features the moving story of two time ISA detainee, Saari Sungip and his wife, Aliza as they share their bitter sweet experience of fighting for justice as a family.

Director and producer, Anna Har and Brenda Danker of Big Pictures Production will, as well as the main profiles in the video, be present for discussion after the screening. 

*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.