Pecah Lobang: Muslim transsexual sex workers in Malaysia from Poh Si Teng on Vimeo.

Hey Gang!
Check out this sneak preview of Poh Si’s winning entry ‘Pecah Lobang’ about Muslim transsexual workers from the official website http://pecahlobang.com and be sure to see the full length film premiere at FFF 2008 on Saturday 6th, September at 9pm, Central Market Annexe!

Festival Highlights

Don’t miss this chance to watch over 20 thought provoking films from all over the world plus the opportunity to meet and talk freely with some of the filmmakers including “One Nation Under Lee”?’s Seelan Palay from Singapore, Indonesian filmmaker Ariani Darmawan (Dragons Beget Dragons) and Malaysia’s very own filmmaker and activist, Chi Too (What Forest?) who’s films will explore issues of culture, identity, race, religion, development and democracy, among many others. The festival will also have a special screening of the award winning documentary “The War on Democracy”? by critically acclaimed journalist John Pilger.

A special photo exhibition will feature photographs submitted by the public which will challenge and explore the very idea of ‘Democratic Space’ plus various NGOs, filmmakers and local activists will be stationed during the event promoting their organisations so expect to be engaged!

The winners of the ‘Dare2Document’ filmmaking competition will also premiere their films at the event and will each be presented with the Justin Louis Award at the FFF2008 Awards Ceremony. Ultimately only the most exceptional film will take home “Most Outstanding Human Rights Film”? title.

The films are:-
“Who Speaks for Me?�? by Justin Johari Azaman, explores the question of Freedom of Expression with regards to “sensitive issues”? in Malaysia. In light of Namewee’s Negarakuku and past years’ issues surrounding religion, the documentary will feature a Hip Hop group, D&A attempting to explore the possibilities of addressing these “sensitive issues”? through music.

“Pilihanraya Umum Malaysia ke-12: Demokerasi atau rebutan kerusi”? by Abror Rivai, looks at whether elections in Malaysian are free and fair. With elections for local councils no longer in practice and when in 2007 the Election Commission made an announcement that indelible ink would be used to prevent votes from being cast more than once, the people rejoiced, but four days before Election Day; however, it was ruled out on security reasons. There is no doubt that t the March 2008 12th General Election suffered because of this controversial issue.

“Pecah Lobang”? by Poh Si Teng, explores what it’s like to be a Muslim transsexual sex worker in Malaysia? Shot in the Chow Kit red light district, the documentary revolves around Natasha, a Muslim Mak Nyah, who refuses to live life as a man. Unable to secure employment because of discrimination, Natasha turns to sex work and lives in constant fear of the police and religious authorities. Crossdressing is a crime under the Syariah court system for Muslims and the penalties are severe. But it wasn’t always so. How did Malaysia become so heavy-handed on the transsexual community?

For an updated film schedule or for more event details please check out screenings

The event is open to the public and is completely free. To make a reservation, please email freedomfilmfest@komas.org and type the city you wish to attend into the subject line e.g. ‘reservation JB’ for Johor Baru.

We dared you to document. Do you dare to watch?

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.