Freedom Film Festival of Malaysia

Save the Date - 6 Feb 2010

2010-01-07T21:00:00.103Z

Last October, the Freedom Film Fest season of 2009 toured the cities of Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru and Kuching showcasing documentaries about human rights in Malaysia. The event in London will take place on the 6th Feb, 2010. Real Change? is the question posed by the festival organisers, querying the changes that have come our way since the Tsunami elections of 2008. Join us for an afternoon of films that delve into contemporary issues that shape 1Malaysia.

This year's Freedom Film Fest in London opens with When Lawyers Walk by mien.ly
"When Lawyers Walk, something must be very wrong" so signalled the President of the Bar Council, Ambiga Sreenevasan as she led a march involving 2000 members of the Malaysian Bar. The lawyers came out in force just days after the "judge fixing" Lingam Tape was made public in Sept 2007. Four more civil society marches brought the public out on the street, culminating in the Tsunami elections of March 2008.

Three winning proposal by budding film-makers were turned into documentaries with the help of a RM5000 grant and assistance from Anna's team at KOMAS. The three were :

Al-Fatehah Memali by Rahmat Haron
This film tracks the journey of singer-songwriters, Black and Meor, in their bid to comprehend a massacre that happened in 1985 in Kampung Memali, Kedah. PAS and UMNO were on a turf war over the custody of Islam and the accompanying Malay-Muslim electorate, resulting in the splitting of Malay society into two camps. The kafir-mengkafir polemics turned into violence when the Army stormed the house of Ibrahim Libya, a popular PAS religious leader accused of deviant Islamic teachings. Dissatisfied with the authority's White Paper on the matter and the lack of an official Inquiry, the film-makers set off to meet the survivors. Ibrahim Libya's wife, Puan Solehah, is interviewed as is Muhamad Yusof Husin whose taped 'confession' while under ISA became the government's "favourite evidence" to air on national television. Encik Husin is now a member of the Senate. For more about kafir-mengkafir and Memali, read this paper by Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.

Kayuh by Soh Sook Hwa
This film is a first-hand account of a 100-strong contingent of cyclists in the JERIT cycling campaign who rode into Kuala Lumpur from Alor Setar in the north and Johor Baru in the south. It's purpose - to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister to highlight 6 major concerns of marginalized groups in Malaysia. With an intention to make stops at villages and towns along the way to raise awareness among the public, the cyclists were repeatedly hindered by the authorities from furthering their message.The bike ride was inspired by the Asahan march of 1967 where workers walked from the rubber plantations of Malacca to Kuala Lumpur.

No Silver Lining: The Perak Crisis by The S-ploited
What happens when “frogs” jump over to the other side? In Perak, when 3 elected representatives of the Pakatan Rakyat "hopped" over to become BN friendly, it started a political wrestling match for power between the two opposing political alliances.

Hilary Chiew, veteran journalist on Environmental issues, presents a detailed documentary about the fight back by Indigenous Communities against the land grab of their ancestral property. In Delaying Justice, Indigenous communities turn to the courts to seek justice when their land is taken over in the name of development. The road from the forest to the Mahkamah is strewn with anxieties, threats and can potentially involve losing one's life. Two landmark court decisions ruled in favour of the Indigenous claimants, Sagong Tasi and 'Rumah Nor' but redress from the government is not forthcoming. In Sarawak alone, there are over 200 court cases waiting to be heard. Newly-elected State assemblyperson, Elizabeth Wong, withdraws the previous Selangor government's application to challenge the court ruling. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, this film of past injustices is a lesson on what votes can reverse.

Film Schedule

6th February 2010
2-6pm
Amnesty International UK [map]
The Human Rights Action Centre
17-25 New Inn Yard London
EC2A 3EA

Session One 2pm - 3.30pm
When Lawyers Walk by mienlor for The Malaysian Bar Council
No Silver Lining : The Perak Crisis by The S-ploited

Session Two 3.40pm - 4.50pm
Delaying Justice by Hilary Chiew
Kayuh by Soh Sook Hwa

Session Three 5pm - 5.40pm
Al-Fatehah Memali by Rahmat Haron

Book now, pay at the door. Tickets £2, consessions £1.

Anna Har, Festival Director, speaks about the 6th Freedom Film Fest in Malaysia...

Where were you ?

2009-03-30T10:45:00.080+01:00

You missed ...

Artist: Black
Film:Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka
Soundtrack : Burhanuddin Al-Helmy

or try here

* sold out* Watch the 2 films featured in the sell-out session Activism and The British Connection

Malaysia's only documentary film festival on human rights, social and environmental justice, the Freedom Film Fest, held a Retrospective on the 28 March 2009 at The Garden Court Chambers, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

The Retrospective voiced the human rights stories in the daring spirit the Freedom Film Fest has come to be known since its inception in 2004. Such films are rarely made and seldom seen outside the country.

In four sessions, the Retrospective screened ten documentaries made for the annual festival over the years. Films were organised under the themes of Democratic Space, Activism and the British Connection, Minority Groups and the Authorities, and Prescribed Development. The event saw the re-emergence of a fiery letter correspondence in 1987 between a 10 year old Englishboy and then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr.Mahathir. The boy, now aged 32 - Darrell Abercrombie, spoke about this forgotten episode for the first time, in public as an adult.

The event raised awareness of the Harinder Veriah Trust, to share the values held dear in the lifetime of a Malaysian-British woman and to bring to the forefront the untold Human Rights stories of her life over her father's detention without trial and the adoption of anti-Racism legislation in Hong Kong after her death. Listen to Do you see me like you? Read the story.

Artist : meichern
Film:Alice Lives Here
Soundtrack: Do you see me like you?
Film:Twelve 11
Soundtrack: My Time

Introduction

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The Retrospective in London will present a selection of documentaries made for the Freedom Film Fest between 2004-2008.

The annual Freedom Film Fest (FFF) in Malaysia was conceived to create a space for social justice and human rights films amidst a controlled mainstream media and the lack of commercial backing. It has since been providing a valuable platform for Malaysians to voice their aspirations for equality, justice and participation in decision-making.

Malaysia's political landscape is changing in ways previously unimaginable for many; changes that can be attributed to individuals and groups who seek a more inclusive and just country. FFF films - whether gritty, artistic, raw, or polished - all document and reflect the efforts and aspirations of such Malaysians.

The retrospective in London hopes to create an awareness of issues raised by activists in Malaysia, while offering Malaysians and Friends in London a chance to catch up with and be a part of the change that is happening at home.

Who benefits?
The Freedom Film Fest supports film-making in the human rights,social justice and environment genres. Past films continue to provide inspiration to activists. Dr Jeffrey Phang from Friends of Kota Damansara, a group of residents trying to protect a green lung in Kuala Lumpur, said “When we were campaigning, we were truly inspired by one of the films which came from this festival, Alice Lives Here. When we saw it, we became more energised to continue our cause"(The Star, 22 March 2009).

This is a not-for-profit event. Ticket revenue is used to cover venue costs and surplus go to the Harinder Veriah Trust, a UK charity that works with underprivileged children in Malaysia. The Retrospective supports this charity for a number of reasons. Harinder's father, Karam Singh, was detained without trial for 4 years under the Internal Security Act(ISA) for leading a protest of plantation workers in 1967. The march from Asahan in Malacca to Kuala Lumpur took a week to complete. Hari's death in Hong Kong in 2000 led to the adoption of Anti-Racism Legislations in the country eight years later. Detention without trial, racism and the neglect of low-waged workers remain a problem in Malaysia today. Each pound we donate will be worth £1.28 to the charity when Gift Aid is claimed. As a UK tax-payer, do use this opportunity to support the children that the Harinder Veriah Trust cares for in Malaysia. Postscript : [March 2010] Ruttonjee Hospital, where Hari died, paid an out-of-court settlement to Hari's husband and son.

Read Why Care? - a review of FFF 2006.

What to look out for
Dr.Mahathir's quarrel with a 10 year old boy from Surrey, in Penusah Tana
A 20-year court case over £5, in Rainy Days
Collapse of the Highland Towers, in Twelve 11
Scenes from the BERSIH march in Pilihanraya Umum ke-12
Naked Ear Squats in Kopi-O-Khau, about police brutality.
... or, pick films with original soundtracks
by women activists
or, about education
...the 'Special Branch' and detention under the ISA
those seen but not heard - 9000 refugee children in Malaysia
and empty streets on Hartal day in 1947.

About Us
KOMAS was established to assist the marginalised by providing a voice for their tussle over rights in Malaysia. We work with grassroot communities and NGOs - using creative and participatory forms of communication to advance Human Rights. In 2008, KOMAS won the European Grundtvig Award for its programme on Education for Non-discrimination.

How the films were made

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KOMAS hold an annual film competition to shortlist 3 proposals for documentaries to be made. Those shortlisted receive a RM5,000 grant and technical advice from KOMAS in the film-making process. For more information about this year's film competition, please see here.

The films in the Retrospective were made by grant winners and other film-makers who have premiered their films at the Freedom Film Fest.

Watch the launch video for FreedomFilmFest 2007

Soundtracks - Artwork

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Original music by Malaysian artists have been used in the films made for the Freedom Film Fest. In Alice lives Here and Twelve-11, the theme songs were specifically written for those films.

Artist: Black
Amin Iskandar(aka Black) is a singer/songwriter, blogger and columnist at MalaysiaKini.

Film:Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka
Soundtrack : Burhanuddin Al-Helmy

(note: if the soundtrack is temporarily suspended by the hosting website, listen here instead)

Artist : meichern
MeiChern is a singer/songwriter and columnist for The Sun(Malaysian paper, not British red top ;)

Film:Alice Lives Here
Soundtrack: Do you see me like you ?

Film:Twelve 11
Soundtrack: My Time

Artwork

The annual Festival posters were created pro-bono by the following Malaysian Designers

2005, 2006 Ezrena Marwan

2007 Lainie Yeoh

2008 Stanley of Mosaic Street

Theme :: Democratic Space

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This session highlights the tension between the opening up of a democratic space in Malaysia and the State's draconian approach to restraining human freedoms.

No Damn Right

By Anna Har
15mins, 2008

This short film centres on a religious leader, Saari Sungib, who was detained twice without trial under the Internal Security Act(ISA). He and his wife, Aliza share their thoughts on fighting for justice as a family.

Pilihanraya Umum Malaysia ke-12 (The 12th General Elections)

By Abror Rivai
26mins, 2008

This film argues that Elections in Malaysia are compromised by an Elections Commission that is biased towards the incumbent Barisan government. In spite of the allegations the film makes, it charts Nurul Izzah’s unexpected win over a Cabinet Minister to gain a seat in Parliament. The first-time MP is the daughter of Anwar Ibrahim, who was detained without trial when he was deposed from his post as Deputy Prime Minister.

Romantik ISA
By Hakim
45mins
Screened at Freedom Film Fest 2005, Kuala Lumpur
A documentary about the Internal Security Act(ISA), includes interviews with past detainees.
Part 1 and 2

The Film Schedule

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28 March 2009

The Garden Court Chambers, London

FREEDOMFILMFEST RETROSPECTIVE 2009

The films in the retrospective are documentaries of actual events

11:00am Democratic Space (FREE. click here to get tickets)

No Damn Right
by Anna Har

Pilihanraya Umum Ke-12 (The 12th General Elections)
By Abror Rivai

12:00noon Activism and the British Connection
Penusah Tana (The Forgotten Struggle)
by Hilary Chiew, Chi Too

Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka (Ten Years Before Independence)
By Fahmi Reza

1:45pm Minority Groups and the Authorities
Rainy Days
by Rajan Paramesran

The Invisible Children
by Hariati Azizan

Kopi-O Khau Kurang Manis (Strong Black Coffee, not too sweet)
by Andrew Sia

3:45pm Prescribed Development
Binatang Pun Perlu Tanah (Even animals need land)
by Anna Har

Twelve 11
by Claudia Theophilus, et.al

Alice lives here
by ReelPower

Theme :: Activism and the British Connection

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The films in this session revolve around a connection between Malaysia and the UK. Penusah Tana and Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka deal with two different political struggles where International relations play a significant part in local politics.

Penusah Tana (The Forgotten Struggle)

By Hilary Chiew, Chi Too
35mins, 2007

For over 20 years, Ajang Kiew, a Penan Leader, has been setting up road blocks to protect his land from the intrusion of logging companies. Setting up blockades or being in the vicinity of one is punishable offence in Sarawak. In this documentary, Ajang Kiew sets up one final struggle before the remaining forest is cleared for oil palm plantations.

Looking back at the historic struggle of the Penans, the film locates a pivotal moment in logging politics when foreign activists backed off from putting pressure on Malaysia to return home to lobby their own governments instead.

At the height of the anti-logging campaign in 1987, a 10 year old boy from Camberley in Surrey writes a letter to Dr.Mahathir calling the logging practices in Malaysia ‘disgraceful’. Stoked, the Prime Minister writes back with the full might of his scorn. The 3-page letter was well-publicised in the UK although the public in Malaysia was not aware that such a correspondence had taken place.

This is a timely film for the audience in London as the EU will be introducing measures to stop the entry of illegally logged timber into the EU. In the coming months, the EU will recogn ise a self-certification scheme whereby timber imported from Malaysia will be certified as 'legal', based on the word of the Malaysian timber authorities. However, the legality standard is drawn from Malaysian laws and existing practices favouring the logging industry while eroding the rights of indigenous communities. Greenpeace have called the scheme “certifying business as usual”(2005, ref) - highlighting technical flaws and the lack of protection of Indigenous Peoples' rights. In a response, the Malaysian Timber Council addressed the technical issues raised by Greenpeace but was silent on the issue of Indigenous rights(ref). As the EU-Malaysia timber agreement is nearing conclusion, serious concerns over Indigenous People's rights remain unresolved(ref).

This film spills the contents of Dr.Mahathir's reply and provides the background information a UK audience needs to conclude on whether Malaysia’s timber is obtained ethically if indeed it is legal.

EXTRA : There will be a talk at 2.15pm by Saskia Ozinga about the EU-Msia FLEGT agreement. Saskia will also speak about the misguided and failed anti-logging campaigns of the 1980s and 90s. Read Forest Governance in Malaysia by Carol Yong for background information on the politics of Logging.

Post-script
22 April 2010

Penusah Tana by Hilary Chiew was re-screened in London by Solicitors International Human Rights Group(SIHRG) on the 17 April, 2010. Little did SIHRG anticipate that their event would be front-page news for 2 consecutive days in the Eastern Times, a Sarawak-based newspaper. Clare Rewcastle who is the sister-in-law of Gordon Brown was also brought up for criticism over her reporting of Sarawak issues.

According to local activists in Sarawak, Ajang Kiew has "crossed the floor" and no longer protest against destructive logging. The stated purpose of the film screening by SIHRG was to provide a platform to discuss the EU-Malaysia timber agreement from a human rights perspective. This objective was overlooked by the Eastern Times which chose to focus on condemning the 'western media', wrongly alledging that SIHRG is a media organisation and not the reputable human rights organization that it is.

What the article claim is only 'alleged' rape is contrary to an official report produced by the Malaysian Federal government report(ref, ref). A copy of the report can be found here. The Sarawak government's denial of the abuse cases is documented in a BBC Radio 4 report. James Masing, a minister in the Sarawak cabinet, is reported to have said "I think this is where we get confused I think... the Penan are a most interesting group of people and they operate on different social etiquette as us... a lot this sex by consensual sex". Since the official report was released confirming the sexual abuse, no action has been taken by the Federal or Sarawak state governments(ref).

Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka (Ten Years Before Independence)
By Fahmi Reza
35mins, 2007

Ten years before Malaya gained independence from the British, a Left-wing political alliance(PUTERA-AMCJA) called for a Malaya-wide strike(‘Hartal’). It would be a protest against their exclusion in devising the Federal Constitution of Malaya. The proposed Constitution was designed in secret negotiation with the right-wing UMNO party by the British colonial government.

The day of the ‘Hartal’ was set for October 20, 1947 which was the day Parliament in London resume sitting after the Summer recess. It was in the proceeding session that a parliamentary debate on the proposed Malayan Constitution would take place.

This documentary chronicles the events that culminated in the ‘Hartal’. It highlights the principle in the leftist Constitution that gives equal rights to all citizens, an ideal that never made it to the eventual Federal Constitution.

A find in the Hansard showed that - a month after the ‘Hartal’, a Labour MP asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies about the extent of the strike in Malaya. In a written response, the State Secretary replied “the hartal was widely observed by Chinese, I am informed that the Malays, in general, took no part, and that there was little evidence of widespread enthusiasm even among the Chinese, many of whom were ignorant of the issues involved”.

Fahmi Reza’s film contradicts this piece of received information and presents the voice of ‘Hartal’ leaders who ended up in prison for their struggle to be included in the shaping of Malaya’s destiny. Exclusion is still used by the present government to override legitimate concerns of citizens and opposition politicians.

Theme :: Minority Groups and the Authorities

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The films in this session discuss the effects of the power imbalance between citizens and the authorities.

Rainy Days

By Rajan Paramesran
13mins, 2006

This film is dramatisation of a legal saga. In 1973, a rubber tapper who was guaranteed a minimum of 24 days pay by the law, was short-changed by 7 days by his employer. What seemed like a clear-cut case took twenty years before a final verdict was delivered for a paltry sum of RM22.40(about £5). The film conveys how justice that is delayed is justice denied.

The Invisible Children

By Hariati Azizan
21mins, 2006

In the fringes of Malaysian society, nine thousand refugee children grow up with no rights. This film hastens the viewer's appreciation of what 'basic human rights' are and why entitlement is necessary. The lack of human rights law is a denial of responsibility by the authorities, leaving ordinary citizens to provide for the refugee children what the rest of society see as public service such as access to education, protection from violence or recourse to justice.

Kopi O Khau Kurang Manis Sikit (Black Coffee, not too sweet)

By Andrew Sia
30mins, 2006

Bitter ‘Kopi-O’(black coffee) is how the film-maker describes the Malaysian Police force for their brutality and practice of demanding ‘coffee money’ as bribes. This film questions the purpose of the institution that has turned from a protector of the people to a menace to society. Incidents of torture and deaths occur behind locked cells, suspects made to perform naked ear-squats, drug evidence that go missing and the use of the police by political leaders are dealt with by this film, grooved with hip-hop rapping and Bollywood love songs.

Theme :: Prescribed Development

2009-02-25T22:49:00.170Z

The films in this session deal with the top-down development approach that excludes the local people in decision-making in matters that affect them.

Binatang Pun Perlu Tanah (Even animals need land)

By Anna Har
10mins, 2008

Sinui Pai Nanek Sengik(meaning “New Life, One Heart”) is an indigenous community organisation formed by Tijah Cupil, using humility as a guiding principle - that outside ‘educators’ who teach, should themselves be open to learning from the community.

Twelve 11

By Claudia Theophilus, Foo Fang Juing, Ong Ju Lin, Loh Yin San
22mins, 2006

In 1993, the collapse of a condominium block built on a hillside in Kuala Lumpur claimed 48 lives. The cause of the collapse is documented in Twelve 11 and the issue of accountability is questioned when a legal loophole allowed the negligent Local Authority to get off the hook.

Another tragedy befell the residents in that same area when a landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa claimed 4 lives in December 2008. In the intervening years, the law was left unchanged and hillslope development projects continued to be approved by Local Authorities. It took a new State government to overturn unsafe approval decisions and to review the immunity of Local Authorities.

Alice Lives Here

By ReelPower
29mins, 2005

A highly questionable government decision to build Asia’s largest Incinerator at Broga brings out the village’s own Erin Brokovic in the form of Alice Lee. The film documents Alice’s campaign to challenge the government’s attempts to push through the 1.5billion Ringgit project dismissing health claims that emissions can harm and disfigure as seriously as Agent Orange.

Intended as a plan-B after the incinerator was rejected by residents of a larger township, government leaders expected to foist the incinerator on unsuspecting Broga villagers. The documentary traces the change and political awakening experienced by Alice and the people of Broga-Semenyih, and captures the power of what ordinary people can do in the face of injustice.

The film was completed for the the Freedom Film Fest 2005 as Alice’s campaign proceeds to the High Court. The Q+A session after the film's screening will update the audience on a twist in the tale of Alice in a country where the government always wins.

Acknowledgements

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The selection of films
We have tried to pick films for a particular audience in the UK – familiar with the peculiar politics of Malaysia, yet unaccustomed to the idea that its citizens would stand up to the authorities. The stereotype of the apathetic Malaysian is challenged by these films.

We have grouped the films according to four themes :
· Democratic Space
· Activism and the British Connection (International relations)
· Minority Groups and the Authorities
· Prescribed Development

We use the films to draw connections between the past and present, the local with the foreign, the experts to the ‘ignorant’ and the powerless against the powerful. Lastly, the ties that bind those who endeavour, co-operate and persist.

Each film has a compelling story to tell around the issues raised. Six films of 30 minutes in length were chosen to highlight human rights issues in Malaysia while three shorter films are employed to underscore three insights from practitioners. A short discussion will follow after each film.

Past Freedom Film Fests have produced some remarkable documentaries which we would have liked to include in the Retrospective. As we were limited by time, we made the decision to screen early films from the Film Fests of 2005 and 2006.

From 2007, Sepuluh Tahun was chosen for its content which we deemed was early material from 1947. From 2008, Pilihanraya Umum ke-12 was selected as it sets the stage for the next Freedom Film Fest in October 2009 - which asks what "Real Change?" has taken place since the General Elections of 2008.

They films we would have liked for this Retrospective are :
Forgotten(2007) Ong Boon Keong
She's My Son(2007) Indrani Kopal
Who Speaks For Me(2008) Justin Johari
Pecah Lobang(2008) Poh Si Teng

A No-Budget Project

The FFF Retrospective is a “No-Budget” project that relies on the good will of those who share common hopes for Malaysia. Get involved. Donate to KOMAS. Submit a Film. Spread the word about GiftAid and giving to the Harinder Veriah Trust. Help take the Freedom Film Fest around the world on a no-budget tour.

To the film-makers, KOMAS(Anna Har, Sarah Najib, Jerald Joseph, Tan JoHann), MeiChern, Hilary Chiew, Lainie Yeoh in Malaysia; Padma Ramachandran, Josef Roy, Marie Tan, Sanjiv Gnaneswaran, Steph Chung, MayYee Tee, Puvan Tharmanathan, MingWang Lim, Jerry Arulandu, Ashley Chuan, Pipo Chiu in London - for putting this together.