WHY BE AFRAID OF MONSTERS WHEN YOU HAVE ULTRAMAN ON YOUR SIDE!

Hey gang, i just have to share this with you cause it cracked me up so much. A friend sent this to me some time this week and it is the highest honour anyone has ever bestowed on me yet.

What with the HOO HAA with the MAWI fanatics this week. Wow they treat him like god man. Untouchable. Infallible. Interesting to see Malays so driven.

I now am now no longer afraid of bad people, extremists, fanatics, anonymous bloggers and gergasi-s anymore cause i got me some protection.

I am proud to say that besides god almighty, i am also now under the perlindungan of..... ULTRAMEN!


Picture taken at AKADEMI ULTRAMAN 3 finals at Bukit Jalil earier this week.

POWER TO THE ULTRAKODOKS

Afdlin Shauki

DON't FORGET THE BAIK PUNYA CILOK SHOWCASE AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD THIS SUNDAY!!!

YOU CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE!

A ccouple of days ago i attended a 'what was supposed to be a press conference' but the event ended up just being a conference because the press never showed up. This to me was a sad turn of events because here was a genuine MALAYSIAN effort to effect the world positively, to help out our fellow man who's basic human rights were violated and currently ill-treated by oppressors who have decided to to conform to the charter of Human rights set by the United Nations.

Ini yang gua betul-betul tak faham. Did the press think this was not an interesting story that Malaysians would like to hear about? were they told not to attend by their superiors? Is amnesty international not as cool or as sexy as the AIDS council or MAKNA or PENYAYANG? Inquiring minds want to know... because there was a lot of food wasted you know and mak i cakap, tak baik membazir, rugi - tuhan marah. BUT i think you know, that is not the point.

I actually never even realised that we had an AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL in Malaysia. Hence i didn't know what to expect but in the discussion that ensued i realise that it was so easy for me to become effective in this world. to make a difference.

You see, for those of you who don't know, the main work done by members of AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL is not tunjuk perasaan or create picket lines, but they are effective thru LETTER WRITING. Yes, letter writing! something that all of us use to do before the advent of E-mails and SMSs. Members of Amnesty international would write letters to appeal for justice for those individuals or people whose basic human rights were violated around the world. The AI's around the world appeal for cases not in their own country but for those outside. Apparently, governments around the world, really lift an eyebrow when they get a hundred letters from TAMAN KERAMAT, KL because he/she then realises that the world is watching what they are doing. Like the atrocities at GUANTANAMO by the American soldiers.

Currently there are thousands of cases that need our attention. You choose who you want to write to. All cases have been thoroughly researched by the main AI office in London so you do not have to worry that it is a hoax because the whole effectiveness of Amnesty International depends on their accuracy with the cases.

To me Gang this is the best way to promote brotherhood among human beings, to let the world know that we care for each other and that we have got each other's back. If we cannot do this simple thing... then i believe our planet is in serious trouble.



AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
24-HOUR GLOBAL LETTER WRITING MARATHON
10-11th December 2005
Venue: AI Office or Wherever you are
SIGN UP NOW!!

Every year in conjunction with International Human Rights Day (10th December) AI members and supporters around the world take part in a global letter writing marathon coordinated by AI Poland. During this 24 hours members get together to write letters to help victims of human rights abuses worldwide. A steady stream of letters does have an effect on governments. We know of many political prisoners who have been released or saved from torture or possible death. Last year AI members and supporters from over 30 countries wrote 27,700 letters worldwide.

How does the letter writing marathon work?

1. The marathon starts at 12pm on the 10th of December and we keep writing for 24 hours. It ends at 12pm on 11th December. You can write letters anytime during this period. You can come join us, at the venue, to write letters or get together with some of your friends, anywhere, and write letters or write from home

2. Letters can be written on any case found on the AI website. You can find all our active Worldwide Appeals at http://web.amnesty.org/appeals/active . If you want we can also send the cases to you via e-mail.

3. For those writing for the first time we will also send you a letter writing guide. We also suggest you use an aerogramme for each letter as they are the cheapest and most convenient method of mailing (RM0.50 sen)

4. After you finish writing and mailing you need to provide feedback to the AI office on how many letters were written and on what cases. Then we will provide this information to AI Poland who will give us the global tally

------------------------------------------------------------

AI 24-HOUR GLOBAL LETTER WRITING MARATHON REGISTRATION FORM

Name :

Contact Number :

Email:

Town/City :

Time you will be writing (you can write for as long as you want):
12pm-2pm / 2pm-4pm / 4pm-6pm / 6pm-8pm / 8pm-10pm / 10pm -12am
12am-2am / 2am-4am / 4am-6am / 6am- 8am / 8am-10am / 10am-12pm

Would you like to join an AI local group near you: YES/NO


Would you like the cases emailed to you? YES/NO



To become a member of AI please contact :
------------------------------------------------
Amnesty International Malaysia
E6, 3rd Floor, Bangunan Khas,
Jalan 8/1E, 46050 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel : 03-79552680
Fax: 03-79552682
Email : aimalaysia@aimalaysia.org
Website : http://www.aimalaysia.org
- Defending human rights worldwide -


To become a member of AI please contact :
------------------------------------------------
Amnesty International Malaysia
E6, 3rd Floor, Bangunan Khas,
Jalan 8/1E, 46050 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel : 03-79552680
Fax: 03-79552682
Email : aimalaysia@aimalaysia.org
Website : http://www.aimalaysia.org



Who says we can't help affect change in the world. A teeny tiny letter from a malaysian with a big heart could just help a suffering human being across the seas.

I would like to organize a flash mob event at the Amnesty international office so that we can show in force that we may be kodoks but we are kodoks who care about EVERYONE in the world. Lets give meaning to their lives by giving meaning to ours. Let's organize a time to do this people.

Anyone / kodok who cannot come along, please arrange to write a few letters with the rest of your family or even friends and lets make it our commitment to help others for that day. i believe those who do, will soon realise that it is so easy to give to other people. Also don't forget, god loves a giver and gives to those who gives.

SELAMAT SEMUANYA. AMAN MALAYSIA

EMPOWER THE PEOPLE

Afdlin Shauki

Alhamdulillah!!!... I SURVIVED THIS WEEK!.... I AM FAT (and sexy) AND I AM PROUD!

It is sunday night / monday morning, i have just had my teh tarik with my WHY YOU STILL FAT? production team, Pacai (my bass/guitar player) and some close friends, and i feel completely lega... like orang sembelit temakan julap.

It was an amazing experience and one with i share with some old friends and many new ones. I would like to thank all my kodok family for their outstanding support. i hope everyone had a good time and some of you maybe even had some positive minor revelations.

One thing that truly blew me away was the fact that there were many malaysians who were experiencing stand-up comedy for the first time, thhank you for keeping an open mind and for the fortitude to seek something new.

The show you guys saw is basically based on my candid feelings, observations and pretty much how i feel to be fat and malay in this day and age.

There has been some inqueries about taking the show 'seberang seas' and I am excited about the prospect of probably doing this show again maybe for the malaysian community abroad like AUSTRALIA, ENGLAND, JAPAN, GERMANY, FRANCE etc... places where there are many homesick MALAYSIAN communities that would like a jist of what MALAYSIAN STAND-UP COMEDY is like. Anyone else interested or anyone with any malaysian student councils or embassies, please contact us if you guys are interested to organize a MALAYSIAN STAND-UP COMEDY WORLD TOUR in the country you're in. IT WOULD BE THE BOMB.


After WHY YOU STILL FAT?, I think we are in for another treat, as ANOTHER top malaysian stand-up comedian JIT MURAD (one of the most intellectualy hip, happening and funny - comic legend! in my opinion - DAHSYAT GILA BEB!) is going to take centre stage and rock the microphone.

THIS SHOW IS A MUST WATCH IF U WANT TO LAUGH KUAT-KUAT SOME MORE. DO CHECK THIS OUT. CONFIRM TAK MENYESAL GANG.

Jit Happens...Again
 
 

presents 
 
"A fresh comedy that's guaranteed to have you laughing like nuts" - KLue
"Jit is one of Malaysia's better playwrights...He is also quite funny" – Kakiseni
"The bottom line is you won't be disappointed" – The Star
 
He's back! The incorrigible, indomitable and irrepressible Jit Murad returns to stage with his acclaimed one-man comedy show. Stuffed with endearing anecdotes about the women in his life to animated stories of his childhood – plus a guest appearance from his maniacal counterpart René Choy – Jit Happens… Again is the perfect holiday treat for anyone in search of a good, LOUD laugh. Ya, you? Ya, you!

Tuesday 22 Nov to Sunday 27 Nov, 8:30pm
SIX NIGHTS ONLY!

The Actors Studio Bangsar
Bangsar Shopping Centre 3rd Floor, Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, KL

Tickets RM35 & RM50

50% discount for students/senior citizens (limited to 2 per person). For more group promotions, contact info@dramalab.com.my
BOX-OFFICE 03-2094 0400 or 03-2094 1400
 
LET'S OPEN OUR MIND FURTHER.
EMPOWER THE PEOPLE

AfDlin ShAuki to THe poWEr

PS. SIAPA KATA KENA JADI MAWI NAK DAPAT FULL HOUSE TIAP MALAM. HEEHEE.


Happy and STRESSED!!!... Boleh berak keluar batu ni.

Last sunday was an amazing ride. Alhamdulillah! Baik Punya Cilok Showcase memang happening dan adalah pengubat rindu gua untuk menyanyi live sekali lagi. Nyanyi untuk anak-anak dan kengkawan ketika hilang akal memang selalu, tetapi menyanyi dipentas dan meluahkan bakat berendam seakan seekor badak afrika yang kepanasan di keheningan dataran Kalahari.... jarang sesangat semenjak gua mengambil keputusan untuk menjadi komited dengan industri filem ini.

Bestnya perasaan dapat bernyanyi kembali bersama kengkawan pemuzik iringan terutama sekali partner in crime gua PACAI. Bekas pemain bass kumpulan EKAMATRA ni, adalah pada pendapat gua, salah seorang insan Muzik yang paling berbakat di MALAYSIA ini. Apa jenis groove ataupun lagu dia boleh layan daripada Metal ke Jazz ke Joget. CONFIRM dia ni pun memang tak betul jugak dan gua rasa gua amat selesa bekerja dengan orang yang sentiasa terbuka untuk bereksperimentasi dan mencuba benda baru. Sayang sangat kat kawan lama gua yang juga merupakan seorang insan muzik yang agak frustrated dengan senario industri muzik ini.

AC MIZAL dan HANS juga patut di berikan tabik spring jugak kerana telah memberikan satu persembahan yang amat dahsyat sekali. MUCH RESPECT to you mmy brothers. You have helped make that nite a very memorable one for a long time to come.

CIP jugak nak ucapkan TERIMA KASIH kepada KODOK2 yang dapat hadir malam tu, you guys punya suppot make my heart feel very warm and geli-geli inside la... or is that my gastric?..hmm. I hope you know that eventhough we do it to enjoy ourselves but ultimately it's the rush o being entertaining to your viewers is what drives a performer on stage. Once again, thank you my bradas and sistaz.

Tapi kini tibalah masaalah kedua gua minggu ini.. WHY YOU STILL FAT?... Stand up show gua pada 17 hingga 20 hb ni... Nak melahirkan gua dibuat memikirkannya... it is so tense.. thinking that i have to be on stage alone for about one hour or so just talking away, trying to make people laugh. Rasa macam ada berjuta semuttengah gigit jari kaki aku.... satu badan rasa ngilu... APAKAH KESUDAHANNYA MINGGU INI???.... TOLONGLAH TUHAN BAGILAH MINGGU NI HABIS CEPAT-CEPAT......itulah yang bermain diminda aku sekarang.

This is the first PUBLIC solo show yang gua buat in the last four years and gua betul-betul stressed. So paham-paham jelah kalau gua tak blog sesangat minggu ni. Tengah tension. Rasa macam nak terberak sentiasa, tapi pegi jamban takde pa pe pun... doakanlah CIP mu ini kengkawan... INSYAALLAH dengan bantuannya...

GUA AKAN ROCK MINGGU INI!!!!!!!!!!!

SLEEPLESS IN SETIAWANGSA

Afdlin Shauki

OMIGOD!!!!!... THE DAY THE CENSORSHIP BOARD DIDN"T STRIKE !!

I am amazed and at a loss for words ....

Today i was told that BAIK PUNYA CILOK lulus tanpa potongan!!! that means both the studio films i did, including BULI BALIK didn't get a potongan.... What does this mean?... Is it a good sign?...is it a bad sign?...

Does this mean my film doesn't have any street cred?... Is it too soft? Is it not provokable enough? heehee.. I am confused. The studios are happy and i am happy because now those two films can be watched without any ackwardness and in it's entirety.

I admit that the two films don't really have HARD HITTING sensitive issues but i believe that they are good stories, with some elements that we thought were a bit sensitive to certain parties, but we just shot and kept those scenes in anyway...and they passed it. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...ALHAMDULILAH!

but this doesn't change anything, RELAX THE CENSORSHIP STILL!!!!! so we can go to the next level. There is still much work for us to do here. To be world players.

Day before yesterday i had the good fortune to be invited to the private screening of the final cut of GUBRA and i am once again in awe of my friend's very honest approach toward filmmaking. Yasmin is a gem in our industry. Her bravado in telling her story has taken Sepet to the dizzying heights of recognition that i am humbled by. There is much for me and a lot of filmmakers to learn from her uncomplicated and effective storytelling style.

There were two very contrasting but deeply meaningful stories in GUBRA. There was the continuation of the ORKED story after she gets married to an older malay gentleman and then, there was also THE BILAL story. The latter really caught my eye more due to the fact that it was a topic that was close to my heart and an important story for all the muslim's here to see especially. Singapore CB has approved the film free off any cuts but i do believe, Yasmin will 'wake the slayer' in the CB members with this one( but then again i could be wrong, as in my case with CILOK).

I REALLY, REALLY hope that people get to see this film because it will stir up all kinds of very positive and possibly unpleasant emotions. Watching GUBRA made me proud to be a filmmaker in Malaysia today. If this is the way that we are heading, the future looks very bright for us all.

DAZED AND CONFUSED IN WANGSAMAJU

AFDLIN
LU CILOK GUA, GUA CILOK LU.

THE WAY FORWARD!

Wow, I haven't seen this much discussion and passion about a particular subject since the rumour that a famous female singer was seeing a datuk K. Thank you guys so much for your input yang bernas dan tak bernas.

Personally, i don't know how far this discussion is going to turn into anything REAL but i know most of you will agree that

1. WE MUST HAVE OUR CENSORSHIP LAWS RELAXED.

2. WE MUST HAVE THE CENSORSHIP LAWS WRITTEN AND SET, SO THAT THERE IS NO AMBIGUITY OF WHAT CAN OR CANNOT
BE DONE. THIS WILL ALSO SHOW HOW FAIR OR UNFAIR OUR SETS OF CENSORSHIP LAWS ARE. ONCE THE LAW IS SET, NO
MORE ADDITIONAL RULES CAN BE ENACTED UNFAIRLY AND IMPOSED ON AN AD-HOC BASIS TO A SAID PRODUCTION.

3. WE PREFER A CLASSIFICATION OR RATING SYSTEM, WHERE THE JOB OF THE CENSORSHIP BOARD IS TO GIVE RATINGS TO
ANY FILM THAT PASSES THROUGH OUR SHORES SO THAT ONLY THE SUITABLE AGE GROUPS WITH THE PROPER MENTAL
ACUMEN CAN WATCH THE FILMS WITH THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF V,H,S IN IT.

4. GIVE US THE FREEDOM TO CREATE. TO TELL STORIES LIKE WE WERE TOLD ONCE AS CHILDREN. TO TELL STORIES LIKE IN
THE GREAT ERA OF P RAMLEE, WHERE THEY WERE TELLING STORIES OF SOCIETY, SOCIAL DIVERSITY, URBAN LEGENDS,
MYTHOLOGY, ROMANCE, BETRAYAL, INFIDELITY. ETC.. ETC.

5. WE MUST HAVE MORE RESPONSIBLE AND EDUCATED FILM MAKERS.

6. WE MUST EDUCATE THE MASS INTO WANTING MORE INTELLECTUAL CONTENT.

7. WE MUST MAKE MORE FILMS WHICH WILL BE BRANDED AS MALAYSIAN FILMS.

8. NO DOUBLE STANDARDS between LOCAL and INTERNATIONAL FILMS.

9. WE NEED YOUNGER AND LEARNED PEOPLE IN THE CENSORSHIP BOARD. PEOPLE WHO CAN DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN GOOD
CINEMA AND BAD CINEMA. VIOLENCE FOR VIOLENCE SAKE OR VIOLENCE FOR THE SAKE OF TELLING A BIGGER MORE
IMPORTANT MESSAGE.

People always say why are our films not as good as P Ramlee's time, the answer to me is simple, besides the genus of a man being an undisputed visionary, he was allowed to explore and do much more interesting stories than we are allowed to. Some of his great films, are also now banned by our current censorship board.

Can we make stories as good as P RAMLEE?
I believe the man made movies for his time and was a man beyond his time, he saw things in a broarder context and not just in the point of view of the malays only. Probably this is one reason why he was so close with Tunku Abdul Rahman, who also carried the common vision of a country bigger than the Malays. A country where all it's people were equally as important. OUR FILMS SHOULD POTRAY US, not just one race.

Why is it important for us to bring Malaysian cinema to the world?
For many people, unless they have frequent flyer miles that would even make the harlem globe-trotters envious, a country's film is a reflection of how that country is, the mentality of the people, a reflection of their culture and beliefs, but most importantly, i think, how we as a people react to our experiences of life or times we are faced with dire conflicts. Our mettle if you may. A CINEMA WHICH DEFINES US.

As is said by one THE VISITOR if i am not mistaken, right now the world knows we have the KLCC but all around it, they think we are still living in a swamp and on trees. We complain about it as when they showed that scene of the KLCC in ENTRAPMENT, but what else can we do? The people who control the media help shape the way people perceive others. This is evident on how the world perceive MUSLIMS through CNN, ABC and NBC. If we don't hit back, by enlightening the world thru WORLD CLASS films which can give an accurate potrayal of us as a country and as a people, then we cannot complain because we CHOOSE not to give the world anything but our SENARIOS and MAMI JARUMS.

How do we get to do WORLD CLASS FILMs?
Like JAPAN, KOREA, INDIA, HONGKONG and now even THAILAND, we have to have MORE RELAXED CENSORSHIP. Even Indonesia, which has even more fanatical Muslims there, have more relaxed and clearly set out rules of censorship.

When this is done, i believe, then we will have more interesting content. We have to apply world standards of filmmaking but familiarised with local budgets. Give us five years and i believe within that time we will be noticed by the world. We can do it! LET US GROW TO OUR FULLEST POTENTIAL... These are all things that the government wants of its people, so let us help you, help the country.

I am aware of the many naysayers who say, "alah... even if the censorship was relaxed pun our movies will still be crap." Well all i have to say to that kind of comment is that, "That is why we are still a 3rd world country you stupid frakk... because your mindset is still 3rd world!!"... HOW THE FRAKK WOULD YOU KNOW IF OUR MOVIES WILL STILL BE CRAP?... YOU SHOOT THE IDEA DOWN EVEN BEFORE WE ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO TRY ANYTHING!! IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE LIVING THE LIFE OF MEDIOCRITY AND NOT WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE YOUR COUNTRY PROUD, keep your thoughts to yourself and don't involve the ones who want to EXCEL and have an AMAZING life in your agenda. WE have the gloss of the tallest this, the biggest that , the best whatever...now let's create some substance to our lives. IT IS OUR DUTY TO GOD (no matter which god you subscribe to or even if you believe there is one at that) to live our lives to the fullest and to face all it's challenges.

YES I AM A FRAKKING POSITIVE THINKER!... BUT I AM A PERSON WHO BELIEVES DREAMS, WITH A LOT OF EFFORT, WILL BECOME REAL. THIS IS MY VISION. A VISION i know many people share.

IF we can get enough people to believe in this VISION, to believe in themselves. WE WILL BECOME WORLD LEADERS. WE CAN SHOW THE WORLD WHAT A 'METROPOLITAN ISLAM HADHARI COUNTRY' IS ABOUT. (Errr... ok , i made that one up, but it sounds good- kan? heehee)

Keep the ruling on SEX if we have too because, i believe that is all asian cultures have the same modesty regarding the matter, but free up the rest. Anyway i personally believe, in films especially, sex is sexier when inferred about, rather than shown.

I REALLY want this to happen so that MALAYSIANS will be recognised in the world stage as great artisans and we can promote BRAND MALAYSIA, the body of work that all the brave new MALAYSIAN filmmakers have created through celluloid to potray the COUNTRY, in a more accurate light to the world. Make the world know who and what Malaysia is about and is REALLY capable of achieving.

I AM PROUD TO BE MALAYSIAN AND I WANT THE WORLD TO TAKE NOTICE OF US.

Watching Chris Rock's stand-up comedy dvd titled 'NEVER SCARED' really was quite an eye opener for me about how intelligent his material is. In one of his stand-up routines he said, "What makes and American an American?"......."If you fought in the world war and are serving the country by putting yourselves on the line to protect the safety of our nation, than you're AMERICAN!"..... "If you ran away from another country and had to swim across rivers and barb wire, risking your life and limb, in pursuit of the AMERICAN dream, you're AMERICAN!"... but, if all you are is someone who came out of your mother's vagina on AMERICAN soil, You're not AMERICAN!... You're just Lucky!"

So i ask you this, ARE YOU MALAYSIAN?....OR ...ARE YOU JUST LUCKY?

EMPOWER THE PEOPLE

AFDLIN SHAUKI
WANNABE MALAYSIAN.

FILM WARS - THE ENGINEER STRIKES BACK (heehee)

hello friends,

At this point i would just like to make it clear that i have nothing personal against WEBBER and have not taken offence to any of his comments. NO APOLOGY IS NECESSARY.

This is because i really enjoy any form of intellectual discourse especially one which may eventually reach a healthy conclusion. I apologise to you if my tone sounded a bit stiff but i get really passionate when i speak about something i love, my intention is only to encourage further discussion and hats off to you sir for getting involved further. I REALLY ENJOY YOUR DISCUSSION.

With regards to the Nascar example my friend, i do believe that F1 and Nascar is as similar to each other as sepak takraw is to a wet t-shirt contest. It is a different sport playing by different set of rules altogether.

I just want to reiterate the fact that, the issue is how to make our films gain back the bulk of the malaysian market share and to be competitive in the international film market as what has now been achieved by korea and thailand.

A better example would be between ferrari and for discussion sake, let's say minardi (Although personally i believe Mclaren ROCKS supreme!!). Both have the same sets of rules to play with (because we are in the same industry, ie the film industry) but one is wealthier than the other (US vs Malaysian budget). Your point rings true when you say better education would create better chances to succeed, as in Schumacher vs. Yoong. ( a more educated director could possibly make a better movie) BUT even so, once in a while, there is an opportunity for the RENAULT to shine, eventhough they are working with a smaller budget than ferrari, they find a way to beat goliath because THEY ALL STILL PLAY BY THE SAME RULES (even with a small budget great content can still shine . as in the case of the THAI film industry). But if Minardi for instance, already a weak team, is further weakened by given an additional set of rules only for them, for example , the driver must race in reverse!...heehee. I believe this would further impair their already unenviable position (Malaysia with inconsistent and harsh censorship).

As in engineering, in architecture, we are asked to follow the proven principles of the past and build on that, in order to develop more advaced technologies (unless it is in a groundbreaking field of engineering with no prior references or case studies whatsoever) My discussions are based on actual data from case studies presented to us in the Asian Content industry seminar from the 14 asian nations and these data all suggests that in order for any film or film industry to get recognition internationally and to gain back the local market share, these countries must have relaxed their censorship laws. If one is not thinking to be a player in the international scene , i guess our censorship law is alright. no problem to cari makan. If that is all you want in life... to be ordinary and safe.

Here i bring back the example of SEPET which has recently won The Tokyo International Film Festival's best Asian Film Award. The sepet version we saw in the malaysian cinema was severely and ridiculously censored but the version that is avaiable to the world is unadulterated. This shows that WE MALAYSIANS have content that intrigues the world but it has to be honest and It is not so much the budget, but the integrity of the content that is important. The less censorship, the more interesting the content is for the international market.

I am so happy and excited for SEPET because i believe their win cements the behavioural pattern of the international market based on the data presented to us in the Asian Content Industry seminar. I also Want to congratulate YASMIN once again for her conviction to the integrity of her story and sincerely believe she will help lead us into a new era of filmmaking in Malaysia by example.

I like what visitor said about the rating system. That is a true mark of a develop nation, that different age groups, with differing levels of experience and intellecetual development are allowed to watch content which is suitable for their age.

By having a censorship system, the government is losing billion of dollars in potential income to the pirates. Because the more you suppress the more interest it generates. Almost all my friends have watched Schindler's list eventhough it was banned in Malaysia. You can get the DAREDEVIL dvd here eventhough the film itself was banned here in Malaysia.

By having a censorship system we are saying that the people of Malaysia are not smart enough to judge for themselves what is good or bad, so, we will tell them what is good for them based on our personal value system and bias. Wow, how judgemental we are of our own countrymen. Or maybe that is our CULTURE?

I am not asking an also not in agreement to no censorship. Keep what is really sensitive to our hearts like religion or what have you... but give us freedom to dabble in the rest. I tell you, then... people will start to notice the country that is near indonesia and in-between thailand and singapore! what's the name of that country again...??

EMPOWER THE PEOPLE

AFDLIN SHAUKI

ENGINEER VS FILMMAKER - A civilised discourse on filmmaking.

I normally don't do this, but i guess i am in a mental state of mind where i am sick and tired of people generalising that all local filmmakers have no educational background and are a bunch of whinning artistes.

I personally think that it is unfair for people to generalise and judge based on their limited knowledge of a subject matter but rather to be more ojectively inquiring and not stereotyping when in discussion.

I do this entry in response to an ANONYMOUS blogger known only as WEBBER, basically this is in response to his response of my previous entry. (errr... or something like that)

His respond reads...

Anonymous said...
my experience as an engineer, kitorang kalau design something, and then present something to the judges at any competition, we always have something we dont agree with the rulings and the way our design is judged.

But year in and year out, there are many designs and engineering work that go around the rulebook but still manage to stay within the means of the rulings. And some even came out with an even better idea whenever they came with an obstacle provided by the judges.

You filmmakers can learn a thing or two from us engineers. We accept any "censorships" as challenges for us to be better and to be more "open minded," and not the other way around.

Im not disagreeing that more freedom means more creativity, but the reality of it is, you wont get total freedom, not in filmmaking not in life. So, getting the censorship board to ease up a bit, wouldnt make much of a difference.

And i think, you can actually use the censorship to your advantage. Macam the iranian films where there is no touching between men and women. I think hollywood or the rest of the world are more interested nak tengok macamana producer film can make a film with those restrictions.

Mungkin scene baling pemadam tu dilihat sebagai menjatuhkan maruah guru, but maybe there's a way that filmmakers can do something yang at least menggambarkan something of that perbuatan.

In the engineering world, at least 80% of the best engineered things came from restrictions. Contoh like formula one car where the car used a fan to suck the car to the road. It was banned, which afterwards led to extensive aerodynamic work. Dari situ, we all dapat all those wings and winglet that you see nowadays. Less material, less moving parts, less electronics, and less cost.

Even kat malaysia pun, we have some of the best mind in engineering, tapi the reality is ... most of them, banyak education, tapi tak banyak applications. Whereas the filmmakers kat malaysia pulak, banyak application, tapi tak banyak education.

I guess what im trying to say is, prove what you're capable of within that restriction, and we'll let the public decide whether the censorship should ease up a bit or not.

Or what we all engineer say, " let the right part fits and not the other way around."

p/s: i lived in kampong before, tapi tak pernah pun tengok anak beranak duduk kat tangga sikat rambut sambil berkemban. Actually, ive never seen my family or my sedara mara, berkemban dalam rumah all the time like in Sepet. So i think that women berkemban dalam dan luar rumah is kind of an exegeration. Actually, i think 30% of the movie dalam sepet tu, tak melambangkan reality orang melayu. And most of my kampung or bandar frens agreed.

Webber

Tue Nov 01, 01:33:56 AM 2005

This is my uneducated response...

Dear webber yang dihormati,

First of all, let me share with you that i completely agree that education, knowledge and wisdom is the key for anybody who wants to improve in life and other matters. I believe problems are our best teachers and discussion is the route to problemsolving.

In the context to what you have said above,

Thank you for bringing up our much admired Iranian friends in the film industry and i guess i know now, that this is why, me, being an ex-architect turned filmmaker, have never told engineers how do design engines, because i don't really comprehend the situation you guys are in, since i am not in your industry and that is why you are the engineers because it is your craft.

In Architecture and i believe the same can be applied to engineering (please correct me because i could be wrong), We design by using the construct of the laws of design and in pricipality, within the design brief that is given to us. Yes i agree that, from this, we can find who has found the best way to manipulate the rules that are given to us, to find out who can create the best design. As where the design process itself is up to the individual's ingenuity, every designer still works with the same set of rules. Now, in the context of the global filmmaking industry, i believe that this is not the case as Malaysians are playing by different, and are handicapped by their, set of rules.

As for the iranian censorship, i completely agree with you that their filmmakers have managed to make an impact (eventhough not huge compared to the hollywood machine) by making movies within their censorship guidelines. BUT this is the thing, their CENSORSHIP IS CONSISTENT! ours seems to be ad-hoc and new rules are created when certain parties feel that they are not shown in a good light in the cinemas. As in our learning of history, we will not be able to see the value of our independence from our invaders if we do not see the tyranny of the opressors.

The other thing is, If you have never seen your family and sedara mara berkemban on a tangga menyikat rambut, does it mean it doesn't happen?. My father, has at one time put my mother in the hospital because of an argument, just because it happens in my family, do i have the right to say that it happens in yours?

Raping your own child is not something that everyone does, is it? but does it actually happen in real life? does that happen among your family and friends? I'm sure they will say NO..

Just because something is not in the news due to its un-sensationalic nature does it mean it doesn't happen? Reporters won't report "hari ini keluarga PAK ABU telah di jumpai dalam keadaan menyikat rambut sesama sendiri diatas tangga dalam keadaan berkemban!" in their breaking news, because it's not news worthy, but doe that mean it doesn't happen?

Most of your frens in the kampung and in the bandar, accumulatively, do they make up at least 2 percent of the total malay population of malaysia?

i also like the F1 example that you gave, in that new controls and restrictions might push the boundries of design to make things better. In F1, when that happens, it is good for the sport because everyone plays by the same rules. It is not however applicable when somebody says "why are malay movies not as good as foreign movies?". Personally, i would not mind censorship if EVERYONE plays by the same rules, ie the local and international filmmakers, then we will see how great the western cinema is as opposed to ours. Do you think that our American counterparts can make a movie with the same budget we have, which is usually even smaller than their catering budget?

Just a few things to ponder.

If you don't see it, does that mean it is not there?
I think the quran will disagree with you on that bro, or i could be mistaken. Because i am merely an uneducated filmmaker and not an learned engineer.

Personally, i believe that we have reached saturation point in this industry in terms of the content that we can make and it has personified itself in the downward trend of the cinema going audience. Except for stories like KL MENJERIT 1, which has proven that the local viewing audience is still there and proven that peole want to hear more thoght provoking stories. I believe KLM1 has done well because the subject matter is one that is quite recalcitrant; ie. street racing. It is against the law but nonetheless the public wants too see it, because of curiousity and the taboo-ness of the subject matter. Instead of skewing it into something to be glorified, BADAR squewed street racng to something that is to be avoided.

People don't eat maggots and are jijik by it but do they flip the channel during FEAR FACTOR, some people might do it, but do you think a television network would buy the program it there was no demand for it?

Let us regain our market share and promote our cultural sensitivities by being able to play with, if not the same, more relaxed rules of censorship. Personally, i am not even really that concerned about the no V,H,S ruling because it's the other stuff like bribery, honour, integrity, and looking at ourselves objectively as a people in Malaysia is what i am really interested in. So i say it again... RELAX OUR CENSORSHIP LAWS AND BE CONSISTENT WITH IT.

Or what all we filmmakers say, " If the right part doesn't fit, let's see what other part is siutable for the actor."

EMPOWER THE PEOPLE

AFDLIN