Compass: Cinema
Compass: Cinema
by Manjeet Dhillon
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sarongtrails
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A Culture Seeker’s Companion
Each movie and advertisement is a storyteller, weaving narratives that resonate with the nuances of our shared experiences. These movies offer more then just entertainment; they serve as windows into the complexities and beauty of living in a multicultural environment. Watching these movies isn’t just a pastime; it’s an invitation to connect with this space on a deeper level, fostering a profound understanding of the culture and concepts that shape our multi-racial society. Let the screen be your guide to a more profound connection with Malaysia, one frame at a time.
Movies
Indigenous Stories
- Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli (What do the Orang Asli women have to say) (link) – The content creators, aged between 18 and 31, come from various tribes, including Jakun, Semoq Beri and Ja Hut. Their videos teach the younger generations of Orang Asli about their traditional knowledge and heritage. They also strengthen the position of indigenous rights and identity.
Freedom Film Festival Malaysia Stories
- Wayang (link) – These films are produced from the film grants programme of the FreedomFilmFest since 2005 and are updated annually with new films. You are encouraged to use and share the films widely.
(late) Yasmin Ahmad movies
- Talentime
- Muallaf
- Mukhsin
- Gubra
- Sepet
- Rabun
2024
- Rain Town – a poignant family drama set in “rain town” Taiping, Perak. It’s a heartwarming story about Mr Choo, his Eurasian wife and their three children. The father has plans for his children’s future, but his sons have dreams of their own which he does not approve of. Rain town represents Malaysia at the 10th Silk Road International Film Festival.
2023
- Abang Adik – about two undocumented orphans in Malaysia. While the older brother, a deaf mute, has resigned himself to a life of poverty, his younger sibling burns with indignation. A brutal accident upsets their relationship’s fragile balance. [Awards: 7 wins and 7 nominations]
- Pagari Bulan – Set during the Japanese invasion of Malaya during World War 2, story about a local Malay girl Bulan with her Chinese neighbour friend who’s been captured by the Japanese army to be servant to the general.
- Malbat: Misi Bakara – The story of the 19th Battalion Malay Regiment, which was deployed as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in 1993, and their mission to rescue the trapped American soldiers following the Black Hawk Down attack.
- Gemenceh Boys – The endeavours of a dedicated teacher who embarks upon a journey that changes the lives of 6 young misfits forever. Based on a true story.
- Eraser – Depicts perfectly to the concept of unconditional love, mutual respect and patriotism towards our beloved country through a Malaysia flag eraser. As love witnesses no gender, race and religion but respect and humanity.
2021
- Mentega Butterfly (Butterfly) – After finding out her mother has terminal cancer, teenager Aisyah wants to find out what happens after death.
2018
- Pulang – About a man from a village who sails around the world hoping for riches as his wife waits for his promised return for – 61 years.
2017
- Kontena Ana – In 2001, divorce sent by text message was legalised in Malaysia. This is the story of how one woman, ANA (Lisa Surihani) on the brink of joining her husband abroad, receives one such text message and has to deal with the sudden shock.
2016
- Ola Bola – Set in the 1980s, Ola Bola is an uplifting fictional tale about an unlikely multicultural team of footballers who have to overcome their disagreements and personal struggles for a chance at international success. Inspired by true events, this original story by Chiu Keng Guan is a celebration of the glorious days when the entire nation stood as one behind their triumphant national team
2015
- Spilt Gravy On Rice – The story revolves around the central character of Bapak, an ageing, polygamous, British-educated, Malay, Muslim, retired journalist, patriarch, who realises he doesn’t have much time left on Earth and so invites his five children to have dinner with him to discuss some unresolved family matters with them, including who will inherit his house, their childhood home, an old decaying mansion, set in an acre of lush garden in the centre of the rapidly developing capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
2010
- Ice Kacang Puppy Love – A reserved, quiet young lad (Botak) bears a secret admiration towards Fighting-Fish, who rents a stall in the same coffee shop. He was never bold enough to confess his love towards her and only conveyed it through drawing portraits of her.
2006
- I Don’t Want To Sleep Alone – directed by Tsai Ming Liang, about the migrant community in Kuala Lumpur. As ever Tsai makes another breathe taking take, this time a glimpse into the lives of migrants that scrape to make a living in the capital.
Shorts (click title for link to shorts)
- “Aku Malaysia” series by Jo Kukanthas
- Piece To My Racially & Socially Privileged Friends by Vaneesha Krish
- Nine Storeys by Mahen Bala
- Stories from Malaysia by Mahen Bala
- Discriminated: Racism in Malaysia by Nandini Balakrishnan of says.com
Movies censored in Malaysia
- Bako (2019) by Thiyagu Govindan – Two morticians, an apostate old man, and a religious Hindu young man come across a body that cannot be burned. The ensuing conflicts shift their perspectives on what they believe.
- Gadoh (2009) by Brenda Danker & Namron – a story of a group of teenagers who fought each other along racial lines; a cycle of hatred and violence further escalated by their environment and school system. What was to be a quick resolution to improve the school’s bad image, was taken as an opportunity for one teacher who believed that real change was possible. She ropes in the help of an old friend and reluctant maverick theater activist for this arduous task. Is there hope amidst the cycle of discrimination that surrounds us?
- Mencari Teduh (2015) by Luqman Sheikh Ghazali – As of 2014, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) estimated that there were over 100,000 Muslim Rohingya refugees living in Malaysia. This is one of their stories.
- Molly (2014) by Elza Irdalynna – A story about unconditional love, support, and camaraderie between friends.
- Khalilah (2014) by Junad M. Nor – Malay girls are often referred to as ‘virgin child’ in family conversations as it is obviously the expected norm.
- Absent Without Leave (2016) by Lau Kek Huat – This story begins with a man’s portrait hanging in my family home in Malaysia. The identity of this man has always been taboo, until one day I discovered it was my grandfather, whose identity was hidden from me because he was a member of the Malaysian Communist Party. This film is a journey to discover the secret history of my country through the eyes of my grandfather.
- Cold Shoulder (2018) by Nadim Hisham – Two brothers from a straightedge band who have a falling out during a pivotal moment in their music careers are forced to confront their tense relationship after 3 years of giving each other the cold shoulder.
- Haus (2014) by Nora Nabila – Puan Zaleha, a woman in her 40’s is suffering from sexual deprivation and a lack of attention from her husband. As a conservative Malay woman, she does not have a way out besides crying in silence, hoping her husband will notice. She is ashamed to have taken control of her needs. She starts to betray her conscience in the presence of her son-in-law. For once, she needs to choose between the role of a mother and the needs of a woman.
- Sindiket (2015) by Nizam Andan & Atama – The Sabah Royal Commission of Inquiry (Sabah RCI) was established to investigate allegations that citizenship had been given to undocumented migrants from Indonesia and the Philippines in exchange for votes for the incumbent government. However, the Sabah RCI has raised more questions rather than answered the existing anxieties of Sabahans. The Sabah RCI was asked, “Was the granting of fake identity cards related to politics?”. Many Sabahans believe that the answer is undoubtedly, yes. However, the Sabah RCI denied a political link to what has become colloquially known as “Project IC”, an answer that has frustrated Sabahans. Sindiket is a search for the answers left out of the official “truth”.
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Festival ad’s
- Taylor College: Not For Rent (Deepavali 2023)
- A series of ad’s produced by late Yasmin Ahmad (available on Youtube):
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