Penang Film Club

Trailer for Bengoh film go live!

2011-08-27T03:29:00.000-07:00

For more info go to: http://www.bengohdry.blogspot.com

Blog for a new film on Bengoh

2011-08-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

A new film is coming up : a film on Bengoh, Sarawak.
Bengoh dam, 10 km square in sice and 62m high, will displace 1500 local residents from their ancestral home. Many people are scared that they will use their vote to express their unhappiness during the last state elections on April 16th. But this did not happened. The same politicians who supported the dam were returned. WHY??? The film went to the 4 villages affected to find out. The 4 villages can only be reached on foot.

See a promotion blog here.

Numpang the NCR land defender charged for `criminal intimidation' in Serian court while encroachers linked to Sarawak CM go free

2010-12-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

Screening of new Sarawak films-break the info barrier!

2010-11-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

Halo friends,
As Sarawak's state elections are coming closer the vast interior of Sarawak remain inscrutable to many Sarawakians as well as non-Sarawakians. Yet the rural interior is where most of the 71 Sarawakian state assembly seats are. So long that there is no change from this region there won't be any change in the whole of Sarawak, and by extension, also the entire country. We therefore hold a screening of short films where you can hear the true voices of Sarawakians from these region- where the media dare not tread. You are welcome to attend this screening and discussion to see if there is anything you can do from Penang:
Titles: Blockades in Lawas(Eng),
`Mati ditengah perjalanan' Limbang(Malay),
Sebangan 7(Iban with English Sub-titles).
Date: Nov 19th(Friday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: D' Space(62 Weld Quay 10300, Penang-3rd floor)
Entrance: FREE!
All welcome!

Enq.013-5900339(Ong BK)

Freedom Film Fest 2010 come to Penang this weekend!

2010-11-11T21:57:00.000-08:00

FreedomFilmFest2010 is back for the 7th year. The annual human rights film festival will be held throughout the month of October & November, gracing cities across the nation including Petaling Jaya, Johor Bahru, Miri and Georgetown!

This year, KOMAS & SUARAM PENANG is proud to announce that the premier of FreedomFilmFest2010 in Penang is organised in cooperation with the PENANG STATE GOVERNMENT under the care of Exco Kesenian YB Wong Hong Wai.

Date:

13 & 14 November, 2010

Venue:

Penang Caring Society Complex, Jalan Utama, 10450 Georgetown (Google Map)

The two-day festival will feature 14 award winning Malaysian and international human rights documentaries.

This is a private closed door event. Please REGISTER ONLINE to get your FREE tickets:
http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/tickets

Enquiries: freedomfilmfest@komas.org

FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE
All thematic sessions will be followed by a 20min facilitated discussion with exciting and knowledgeable resource persons. So come prepared with your questions/if any, and to participate and share!!

Sat, 13 Nov, 2pm
Theme: OUR RIGHTS & POLICE POWERS
“The Story of Human Rights”
“Every Mother's Son”

Sat, 13 Nov, 3.30pm

Theme: RIGHTS OF THE POOR
“Raul The Terrible”

Sat, 13 Nov, 5pm

Theme: CONSIDERING NUCLEAR AS AN ENERGY SOURCE
“Uranium – Is it a Country?”

Sat, 13 Nov, 7.30pm
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF PENANG FFF2010 by YB Wong Hong Wai EXCO Kesenian Negeri Pulau Pinang.
PREMIERE OF FFF2010 COMPETITION FILMS
8.25pm “Pilih”
9.15pm “Hak DiNafikan”
10.05pm “Kisah Tauke Mancis&Minyak Tumpah”

Sun, 14 Nov, 12pm
Theme: EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
“Hutan Kehidupan Kami (Land is our life)”

Sun, 14 Nov, 2pm

Theme: APPLICATION OF ISLAMIC LAWS IN MALAYSIA
“Mencari Kartika (Searching for Kartika)"

Sun, 14 Nov, 3.30pm

Theme: MIGRANTS IN LIMBO
“Special Pass”

Sun, 14 Nov, 4.40pm
THEME: MALAYSIA – INDONESIA: SAME-SAME?
“Budaya Tak Terbatas (Borderless culture)”

Sun, 14 Nov, 5:30pm

Theme: FOCUS ON BURMA
“Hongsha's Bag”
“Burma's Hidden Killers”

Sun, 14 Nov, 8pm
Theme: WOMEN HEROES IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION
“Pray the devil back to hell”

*Full film synopsis available at http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org

FREDOMFILMFEST2010 is funded by the EUROPEAN UNION in cooperation with KONRAD ADENAUER STIFTUNG.

Check out OUR WEBSITE for more screenings dates. Do email us freedomfilmfest@komas.org if you're interested to host your own screening party on our behalf at your OWN hometown!

http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org

- - - - -

FreedomFilmFest2010 kembali buat tahun ke-7. Festival filem hak asasi tahunan ini akan berlangsung sepanjang bulan Oktober & November di Petaling Jaya, Johor Bahru, Miri and Georgetown!

Tahun ini, KOMAS & SUARAM PENANG dengan bangganya mengumumkan bahawa tayangan utama FreedomFilmFest2010 di Pulau Pinang dianjurkan dengan kerjasama KERAJAAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG dibawah Exco Kesenian YB Wong Hong Wai.

Tarikh:

13 & 14 November, 2010

Tempat:

Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang Pulau Pinang, Jalan Utama, 10450 Georgetown (Google Map)

Festival dua-hari ini akan mempersembahkan 14 filem dokumentari hak asasi manusia dari Malaysia dan antarabangsa.

Ini adalah acara tertutup. Sila DAFTAR SECARA ONLINE untuk mendapatkan TIKET JEMPUTAN percuma:
http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/tickets

Pertanyaan: freedomfilmfest@komas.org

JADUAL TAYANGAN FILEM
Setiap sesi bertema akan diikuti dengan perbincangan menarik dan bermaklumat dengan bimbingan fasilitator berpengalaman. Datanglah dengan soalan-soalan yang ada ingin tanya (jika ada), sertai dan berkongsi bersama!

Sabtu, 13 Nov, 2pm
Tema: KUASA POLIS DAN HAK KAMI
“The Story of Human Rights”
“Every Mother's Son”

Sabtu, 13 Nov, 3.30pm
Tema: HAK GOLONGAN MISKIN
“Raul The Terrible”

Sabtu, 13 Nov, 5pm

Tema: MEMPERTIMBANGKAN NUKLEAR SEBAGAI SUMBER KUASA
“Uranium – Is it a Country?”

Sabtu, 13 Nov, 7.30pm

PELANCARAN RASMI FFF2010 oleh YB Rodziah Ismail Exco Kebudayaan Negeri Selangor.
TAYANGAN PERDANA FILEM-FILEM PEMENANG FFF2010
8.25pm “Pilih”
9.15pm “Hak DiNafikan”
10.05pm “Kisah Tauke Mancis&Minyak Tumpah”
11pm Majlis Penyampaian Hadiah

Ahad, 14 Nov, 12pm
Tema: MEMPERKUASAKAN KOMUNITI ORANG ASAL
“Hutan Kehidupan Kami(Land is our life)”

Ahad, 14 Nov, 2pm

Tema: APLIKASI UNDANG-UNDANG ISLAM DI MALAYSIA
“Mencari Kartika”

Ahad, 14 Nov, 3.30pm

Tema: MASALAH PEKERJA ASING
“Special Pass”

Ahad, 14 Nov, 4.40pm

Tema: MALAYSIA – INDONESIA: SAMA SAHAJA?
“Budaya Tak Terbatas”

Ahad, 14 Nov, 5:30pm

Tema: FOKUS BURMA
“Hongsha's Bag”
“Burma's Hidden Killers”

Ahad, 14 Nov, 8pm

Tema: PEMIMPIN WANITA DALAM RESOLUSI KONFLIK
“Pray the devil back to hell”

*Sinopsis lengkap filem boleh didapati di http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org

FREDOMFILMFEST2010 dibiayai oleh EUROPEAN UNION dengan kerjasama KONRAD ADENAUER STIFTUNG.

Layari LAMAN KAMI untuk mendapatkan maklumat mengenai tayangan di Miri, JB, Pulau Penang dll. Emel freedomfilmfest@komas.org sekiranya anda berminat untuk menjadi hos tayangan FFF bagi pihak KOMAS di kawasan anda!

http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org

New films from Sarawak's interior-screening Oct 13th, 8pm, D' Space!

2010-10-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

Halo friends,
These are the films from the last Road Show to Limbang and Selangau. Enjoy. Your comments are welcome! DVDs of them are available for sales to raise fund for future Road Shows.

Screenings for these and a few other films will be held according to following details:
Date: Oct 13th(Wed)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: D' Space(62 Weld Quay, Penang-3rd floor)
All welcome! A film on the Sape Tour will also be screened and discussed.

1. Stuck in Limbang forests

2. Land & Survey susahkan pindahan tanah kepada anak cucu

3.RM500 FOR 1 VOTE-ok?

4.Selangau long houses flooded 6 times

5.Unanswered question from a Limbang teacher

6. Rap against Bakun Dam

cheers,
Ong BK

Mini-Sarawak Film Fest Sept 15th-all welcome!

2010-09-12T07:08:00.001-07:00

As part of the Malaysia Day Sape Tour there will be a Mini-Sarawak Film Fest at D' Space(62 Weld Quay), from 3.00pm, on Sept 15th:

The titles are as below:

Miini-Sarawak Film Fest:

3.00pm :

Short films from Lawas(2010-30min)-a collection of 7 films from the Sarawak Road Show this year. Films touched on bad road, blockade by NCR land owners, disappearing wild boars, old army without IC, resettlement for Bakun Dam etc. By Ong BK

You can’t eat the Road (2010-11min) –a rare film about Bidayuh residents affected by Bengoh Dam near Kuching, who went to meet others affected by dams and oil palm plantations in Tatau and Sg Asap. Rare interviews of those communities who chose not to be re-settled in Sg Asap. By Andrew Garton as part of a series called `Sarawak Gone’.

4.00pm:

What Rainforest? (2008-36min).-Resistance against an oil palm giant’s intrusion by a native-Segan, who is not `segan’(`shy’ in Malay) when it come to defending his NCR land. By Hilary Chew and chi too

5.00pm:

Delaying Justice (2009-30min) Defending the ancestral domain by the Sarawak natives do come with a heavy price-the price of life. Produced by Hilary Chew, veteran journalist turned film maker.

Some film makers will be available for Q&A after the screening of their films. DVDs of the films are also available for sales on the spot. See you all!

Ong BK

6 videos from Sarawak Road Show go live in You Tube

2010-08-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Halo friends,
These are the videos from my last visit to Sarawak's interior-some of which had made waves there! Enjoy!

Titles:
The titles uploaded to You Tube are:
1. Retired army fight for IC

2. Unsettled issues from Bakun Dam

3. Bad Road to Ba'Kelalan-Worst in Malaysia!

4. Wild Boars Hunted to extinction in Lawas

5. Police brutality in Lawas &

6. Blockade against Sabah Sarawak gas pipesline

Ong BK

Press freedom protest

2010-08-07T08:40:00.001-07:00

Sarawak Road Show films here!

2010-02-03T23:47:00.000-08:00

Halo folks!
Sorry for not able to do much screenings recently due to my enagagements in Sarawak. I've been going to Sarawak on a monthly basis to prepare for election observation there. The following films are produced from the trip by accompanying journalist from TV2-apart from others who write in blogs and otehr on-line journals. Enjoy.

I'll inform you of coming screenings when the time is right.

Ong BK

Is there anything BETTER than `Avatar'?

2010-01-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

Halo folks,

Have you gone to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster `AVATAR'? Can you imagine anything better than `AVATAR'? Well the films we will screen this Saturday `Voices from the forest' and videos from the Sarawak Road Shows, actually allow real forest people to speak for themselves-something which the high tech special effect film would not do!

After a long year end break we are back to screen films which are not shown on cinemas, Tvs etc. Thedetails of the films to be screened are:

Titles:1. `Voices from the forests' (43min)
Intro: This is the story of people living in or near tropical forests in S E Asia, in particular the story of people in indigenous communities in Malaysia(Sarawak), Indonesia and the Philippines....a way of life which is well adapted to tropical forest conditions. The voices from the forests share their experiences, dreams and aspirations but also their worries...'(Longer intro appended below)
2. Videos from the Sarawak Road Shows-video clips from Sarawak Road Show which run into the 4th tours so far. Every month a group of Malaysians visit Sarawak for about a week to look at where Malaysians (actually West Malaysians) tend to habitually shy away from. Engineer, journalists, video/photographers, artists, media group member etc have been on the new tour to Sarawak. Come to see what they have found. One of the TV journalist on the tour work for TV2 and has since produced a 10-part series to be screened on TV2 from Jan 4th-15th(except weekend) on every lunch time after the news. Go have a look!
Date: Jan 9th 2009(Sat)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: 63 Weld Quay 10300 Penang
All welcome! FREE entry!
Enq. 013-5900339

Appendix:
Voices from the Forest. Balancing Forest Use and Conservation in Southeast Asia.

The namesake of this newsletter, the NTFP Exchange Programme captures the stories of indigenous peoples living in or near tropical forests in Southeast Asia, and their dependence on non-timber forest products for their survival as a people and as a culture. Through their voices as well as of some of their supporters, we share in their dreams and aspirations, as well as their fears as the rapidly changing world poses new challenges to their indigenous lifestyles.
We are offered a rare peek into:
w the nomadic Penan’s reliance on sago palm in the face of threats from a large logging company (Malaysia),
w traditional and sustainable harvesting, production and marketing of wild honey in Danau Sentarum (Indonesia),
w the Ikalahan tribe’s struggle to protect their traditional forest by transforming fruits of the forest into jams and jellies for the high-end niche market (the Philippines),
w the Higaonon tribe’s indigenous fabric, the hinabol, tied to traditional management of abaca (Manila Hemp) and the fast-disappearing art of hinabol weaving (the Philippines), and
w the crucial market links provided by the Upland Marketing Foundation and the CustomMade Crafts Center, and their tireless efforts at aiding local communities to develop marketable handicrafts and food products.
Produced by Riak Bumi, Telapak and the NTFP-EP (2005). Copies (DVD or VCD, 43 mins.) can be obtained through Ridzki Sigit, Telapak, Jl. Palem Putri III No. 1-3, Komp. Taman Yasmin Sektor V, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Tel: +62 0251 7159902. Email: rrsigit@telapak.org. URL: www.telapak.org

Ong BK

Nov 1st screening: `Denias-Senandung di Atas Awan'

2009-10-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Halo folks,

After not receiving suggestion for screening titles I look into the titles suggested in the past and found an Indonesian gem whose screening should be overdue! It is highly relevant to screen it in view of the concern and interests over indigenous people in our region eg on how a student need to walk 1 day to the nearest school-as is the story of this film `Denias-Senandung atas Awan'-a good Indonesian production about Papua New Guinea, which should resonate with people who are concerned about the similar fate of Penans and other similar communities in Malaysia. For me it is also a film of choice since I just met a group of Penans from the Baram area while in Sarawak. They live in remote areas where traveling along logging roads tell stories of rape of school girls, murder of anti-logging Tuai Rumah, lack of birth certificates and thus Mycard, voting rights etc.So come to watch this gem from among the films loaned to us by Kris Gan at least 1 year ago!

Details of the films are here:

Title: Denias-Senandung di Atas Awan

Directed by	John de Rantau
Produced by	Hartawan, Wiwid Setya, Ari Sihasale , Nia Zulkarnaen
Written by	Jeremias Nyangoen , Masree Ruliat
Cinematography	Yudi Datau
Distributed by	Alenia Pictures
Release date(s)	October 19, 2006
Running time	110 minutes
Country	Indonesia
Language	Indonesian

We will also screen a short (11min) video of long house folks in Sri Aman, Sarawak-the 1st installment of videos which I will do about Sarawak along the tour that I am conducting to that long neglected part of Malaysia.

We specially welcome new members from the screenings at Freedom Film Fest in Penang from Oct 9th-11th.

Ong BK

Catch a glimpse of the 3 winners of FFF 2009 competition

2009-10-08T02:52:00.001-07:00

Star on line did a interview with each of the 3 winners of the Freedom Film Fest 2009 competition here. Congrat to all winners! Enjoy.

Please book your tickets early to avoid dissappointment! Booking number: 017-3749887. Booking by email: freedomfilmfest@komas.org

For full program go here. The following is a video on FFF in KL:

Ong BK

FFF 2009 is coming to Penang Oct 9th-11th!

2009-09-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Catch the
FreedomFilmFest2009
Presenting 23 heart-moving, eye-opening, award-winning human rights documentaries from Malaysia and around the world, over 3 days in 4 states.

2-4 OCTOBER 2009, The Annexe, Central Market KL
9-11 OCTOBER 2009, Han Chiang College, Penang
23-25 OCTOBER, Sek. Men. Chung Hua No.1, Kuching
30 OCTOBER-1 NOVEMBER, Tropical Inn, Johor Bharu

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR?

COMMUNITY VIDEO FORUM & SCREENINGS (Friday, 3.30-6.30pm) KL only

Community Video Forum & Showcase will be bringing to you a sharing session of experience and video showcase between community filmmakers and activists from Malaysia and around the SEA region who use video for community organising.

*Pre-registration required as seats are limited. Priority to NGO and community activists.

LAUNCH CEREMONY & OPENING FILM (Friday, 8 pm)

The 6th FreedomFilmFest2009 will be launched with the screening of AT STAKE, a brave and eye-opening documentary tackling taboo issues faced by Indonesian women. This anthology covers issues of female genital mutilation, unmarried women's experiences at the gynecologist, prostitution, and the sexuality of a migrant worker.

*Producer NIA DINATA, who is the director of the movie “Berbagi Suami” and also a renowned Indonesian feminist will be present in KL for Q&A after the screening.

PREMIERE OF FFF2009 WINNING FILMS! (Saturday, 7pm)

Al-Fatehah Memali by Rahmat Haron
This film portrays the journey of singer-songwriters, Black and Meor, trying to comprehend a massacre that happened in 1985 in Kg. Memali, Kedah. Their journey brings them to the village where they meet survivors and witnesses of the tragedy to uncover a forgotten story of injustice for most of Malaysia, but one forever etched in the hearts of those in Memali.

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 from Alor Setar and Johor Baharu to Kuala Lumpur for 16 days in order to address 6 major concerns of marginalized groups in Malaysia.

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 alliance.

* Entry is FREE but strictly by invitation only as it is a closed-door private event.

For inquiries and reservations of passes - Please email freedomfilmfest@komas.org or call 017-3749887, with the following information:

Name | Contact tel. no and email | Title of film/time of session that you would like to watch | Number of passes needed | In which state (KL, PG, JB, or KUCHING)

For full listing and schedule http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org

Disclaimer:
Selection of films and program of the festival are the sole responsibility of the organising committee of the FreedomFilmFest. The venue providers are not involved in this process of selection and cannot be held accountable.

Next screening: Sept 27th-GUBRA

2009-09-14T22:43:00.000-07:00

Halo folks,

We had shown Muhsin in last screening. We can show Gubra ( trailer here) which we had not screened before for next screening on Sept 27th(Sunday) 8.00pm, at D' Space (62 Weld Quay, 3rd floor- see http://penangfilmclub.blogspot.com for a location map) Meanwhile Yasmin Ahmad fans had planned a fest to screen her films in Australia!

For your info we had screened a video of the Bangun Art Fest at Chew Jetty on Sept 13th-including snapshots of the music fest on a fish farm on the sea! If you are interested to have a look let me know to see how to organise another screening.(Altogether about 45min) For some views of the videos go to here.

We call upon all interested members to turn up for a discussion on the preparation of the coming Freedom Film Fest 2009 to be coming to Han Chiang College, Penang next month (likely date: Oct 9th-11th Fri-Sun) at the end of the screening. We need to organise ushers, locate resource persons to lead discussions on various films sessions, and to run an effective promotion in Penang! Looking forward to seeing all of you who are interested to take up the challeneg! You are welcome to call me for inquiries: 013-5900339

cheers,
Ong BK

The rally against ISA on Sunday-can an idea be arrested?

2009-08-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

The rally against ISA in KL will go down in history as one of the historical episode in Malaysia's democratisation. Watch this video to catch a glimpse on what happened.

Ong BK

`Gadoh' stopped by police at Kg Buah Pala's screening

2009-07-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Indie film about ethnic conflict in Malaysia `Gadoh' was stopped by 50 police at a screening at Kg Buah Pala tonite. For report and photos see here. The film's director Brenda Danker (Front left) and producer Anna Har(left most) was around together with about 50 residents when the police turned up at about 8.00pm to stop the screening before it could even get started. The film will continue its screenings at USM on Wed evening. Earlier the film was screened at Penang Film Club on Sunday, where copies of the DVD were sold to some SBs. It is not sure if the sales led the state politicians contacted to say that the film was not approved by FINAS.

The stand off continued till about 11.00pm before both sides dispersed. The century old village is facing eviction notice by Aug 2nd. The eviction would severely test the accountability of the State Government-especially when there are news that the eviction will come under the most intense scrutiny by the country's camerapersons and bloggers!

Ong BK

Special screening for Yasmin Ahmad: `Muhsin' on Aug 2nd

2009-07-27T01:20:00.000-07:00

halo friends,
As you may already know one of the foremost film maker in Malaysia Yasmin Ahmad has passed away just 2 days ago. She is a film maker of refreshing ideas, especially on the stressed ethnic relation in Malaysia-which naturally aroused debates and controversies from those entrenched ethnic `champions' from all sides. But the recognition of the need to break the unnatural ethnic tension in the country is long over due-a point successfully highlighted and provoked by Yasmin Ahmad's features films as well as her well known and memorable community advertisements. To show our respect and tribute for her accomplishment towards `Bangsa Malaysia' we will show two of her last films at the details below:

Titles: Muhsin(8.00pm), Sepet(9.30pm)
Date: Aug 2nd(Sunday)
venue: D' Space (62 Weld Quay, 3rd floor, above Damacai shop)
Entrance: FREE

We will observe a 1 min silence as a commemoration of the passing of an advocate of `Bangsa Malaysia'-who remind us that film is afterall about making a point, a statement. Let her death serve also as a point to bring all the ethnic communtiies together! If you have any thought about her and the ideas she advocate through her films bring them along to share with all.

Attire: Black or white.

See you there.

Ong BK

Some official scribblings of Yasmin:

Yasmin shone with her works

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 – Yasmin Ahmad left a legacy of her works in the film and advertisement arenas, thriving on the themes of love, family ties and comedy against the backdrop of multiracial Malaysia.

Born in Bukit Treh, Muar, Johor on July 1 1958, Yasmin, who graduated in psychology from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, had won local and international creativity awards.

She began her career as a copywriter with Ogilvy & Mather before joining Leo Burnett as joint creative director in 1993 and rose to become its creative executive director until her death.

She was married to Abdullah Tan Yew Leong.

Her creativity could be seen in many Petronas’ commercials and evoked emotion of the viewers, especially during the Aidilfitri celebration which would certainly be missed by viewers this year.

In the film industry, Yasmin, however, drew much controversy in view of her openness and boldness in analysing social issues.

She has been targeted by critics since her first movie, “Rabun” was screened in 2003 followed by “Sepet” (2004), “Gubra” (2006), “Mukhsin” (2006), “Muallaf” (2008) and Talentime (2009).

But she also earned rave reviews for “Sepet” which won the Best Film Award and the Best Original Screenplay Award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2005. “Sepet” also bagged several international awards, namely the Asian Film Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2005, the Grand Prix Award at the Creteil International Women’s Film Festival in the same year.

“Gubra” won the Best Screenplay award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2006.

“Muhsin” won the Generation kplus – Best Feature Film and the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix award at the Berlin International Film Festival. “Mukhsin” also won the Best Asean Film at the Cinemanila International Film Festival 2007.

“Muallaf” won the Asian Film Award – Special Mention at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2008.

While leaving indelible marks at home, Yasmin’s movies gained international recognition as they were shown in Berlin, San Francisco, Singapore and at the Cannes Film Festival. – Bernama

`Gadoh' 's Penang launch at Penang Film Club!

2009-07-16T05:02:00.001-07:00

Halo friends,
If you wonder why ethnic differences tend to become a source of conflicts instead of mutual enrichment come to see this well made local film about ethnic identity in Malaysia! Directed by Brenda Danker and Namron the film has been launched in KL to critical acclaim. All Malaysians concerned about the future of our ethnic relation should watch this. Anyone concerned about ethnic politics should also watch this. Anyone concerned about how repressive laws like ISA are justified as a means to so call keep ethnic `balance' and `peace' should also watch this.

Details of screening:

Date: July 26th(Sunday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: D' Space (3rd floor, 62 Weld Quay)
Entrance: FREE
Trailer: here

Presented by: Penang Film Club
Enq.013-5900339(Ong BK)

Cool cartoon site from Singapore!

2009-06-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

See here for a cool cartoon site-Recommended by Ziaudin. About the best cartoon site after the (in)famous Talking Cock web site-also from Singapore.

ong BK

For a sample watch here:

More Web knick-knacks? Go to www.happeepill.com

New filming project taken off!

2009-06-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Since there was no screening tonite due to lack of recommendation for screening title I'm posting this latest video from me for your enjoyment/comments.

I'll be travelling till next fortnight-so there will only be another screening in 4 week's time ie July 26th. Hopefully I can find another great title from Indonesia for the screening. However you are free to suggest good titles for the screening then.

Update on filming project:
The crew has started doing interviews with various disabled groups to make a short film for the Freedom Film Fest competition 2009, in the last few days. Hopefully we can finalise a script soon to see through the film's final completion. The inerviews with about 20 disabled persons have provided numerous interesting stories-hopefully we can string them up to make an interesting film that also serve to raise public awareness about the disabled communities when there are some changes at the government levels in the last year or so.

Crew: Bernard, Chuin Yip, Ziaudeen, Ong BK

New blog for the kids: http://madmamak.blogspot.com

Ziaudeen just started a new blog here, with a funny new short film as well, watch it here.

Next screening: `Gie' from Indonesia-must watch for students activists!

2009-06-07T03:15:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Jakarta for a workshop-and took the opportunity to locate some good indie films there. Guess what I found:`Gie' -a multiple awards winning film from 2005, featuring Indonesia's famous son and student activist Soe Hok Gie, whose short life reflected the turmoil surrounding Indonesia's nation building crisis at 1965 when General Suharto rose through a coup. Soe Hok Gie was well known for his book `Catatan Seorang Demonstran' (1st print:1983) (`Notes of a demonstrator')-and the film is based on his book/diary. So we have a film to show for next screening now:

Date: June 14th (sunday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: D' Space (62 Weld Quay, 3rd floor)

All welcome!

Enq.013-5900339(Ong BK)

Since I was there I took the chance to document the 5-year old bus way in Jakarta-the idea has spreaded to various Indonesian cities since then. Have a look at this wonderful idea from South America:

Meeting for a new film shoot !

2009-05-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

Calling members & interested parties for new film shoot!(Postponed-sorries)

Apologies: the meeting has been postponed due to unforseen circumstances-keep watch here for future arrangement/for meeting to be reconvened. Ong BK

Penang Film Club intend to submit a new film to the Freedom Film Fest 2009 competition-and we are calling for a get-together for all those who may want to involve in the project. Meeting details:

Date: May 24th (Sunday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: D' Space(62 Weld Quay-see map through a link in a box on the right)

There will be film making workshops and a chance to learn film making from the beginning to the end. Equipments are not neccesary. The meeting will be a continuation of a brain storming session which had been started to kick start the film project. For more details of the Freedom Film Fest 2009 go to here.

Enq. 013-5900339(Ong) 0194705763(Dalbinder)

Next screening

Due to commitment to go abroad by the organiser the next screening will be postponed to June 14th. Sorry for inconveniences! Titles suggestions are welcome!

Ong BK

`The Great Debaters' for this sunday!

2009-05-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

Halo folks,

Without any suggestions for screening titles so far we are screening a good title which was proposed for earlier screening: `The Great Debaters' -something which we wanted to show very much after Obama came to power in US last year! It is based on a true story which tells how a debating team from US's deep/racist south took on an elite team in Harvard. Very recommended for those into debates!

The screening should make a good sequel to `Crash' -another great anti-racism title, which we showed last fortnight ago.

Screening details:
Date: May 17th(Sunday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: 62 Weld Quay
Enq. 013-5900339

See you there!

Admission is FREE, as usual.

Ong BK

1 arrest in Penang last night (May 7th 2009)

2009-05-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we screened `Crash' an anti-racism film based on Los Angeles context to our usual crowd.

Another 2 weeks' time we will be doing our next screening-your sugestion on title/s are welcome!

Ong BK

Wet experience on bus trip to KL

2009-04-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

This is a short film about a funny wet experience during a bus trip to KL last month.

Enjoy!

Ong BK

Revolusi `48 -screening with the film maker this Sunday!

2009-04-17T05:01:00.002-07:00

halo friends in Penang Film Club,
Apologies for the lapses in the screenings for last month during the triple by-elections period! To make up for it we are bringing you a new home made film by famed local film maker Fahmi Reza : `Revolusi `48' this sunday Apr 19th 8.00pm, at D' Space (62 Weld Quay-see column on the right for a location map) . Looking forward to see all of you!

Ong BK

P/S: If I'm in time I will screen a short film on the by-elections too! That is if I'm in time-OK?

Film title:

Revolusi '48 (The Malayan Revolution of '48)

Film Synopsis:

The sequel to Fahmi Reza's cult favourite 10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka, Revolusi '48 chronicles the largely forgotten armed revolution for national liberation launched against British colonial rule in Malaya 60 years ago. This documentary tells the untold story of those who struggled in the anti-colonial guerrilla war of independence, during the Malayan Revolution of 1948.

Duration: 35 mins

Language: BM & Mandarin with English subtitles

Film Poster:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/2920967256_560c6b0386_o.jpg

Film Website:

http://revolusi48.blogspot.com

Film Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLQLxtysGWE

Screening Mar 1st : `Fast Food Nation'

2009-02-22T02:15:00.000-08:00

Halo friends,

The last screening `Clay Bird' was attended by about 10 members who enjoyed the Bangladesh made film significantly. It was nice to see old faces after about 2 months lapse of screening. Some shorts from my Bangladesh trip were screened before the main feature's screening. For a number of reasons the next screenings will be done 3 weeks from the last one ie on Mar 1st-apologies for inconveniences.

Next screening: `Fast Food Nation'(2006, USA/UK)

Date; Mar 1st (Sunday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: 62 Weld Quay, Penang
Intro: The film started by raising the dramatic question: are we eating some real bull shit in the burgers from the fast food joints? The ensuing drama led us through heart wrenching stories of the Mexican foreign workers who work in American slaughter house, and funny episodes, including one which involved a students group who tried in vain to liberate the cows from their sheds.

All welcome!

Ong BK
013-5900339

Next screening: Clay Bird(Bangladesh)

2009-01-27T06:22:00.001-08:00

Halo folks!

It seems a long time since the last screening last year! We have been slow to start the screenings due to a number of unexpected happenings-my apologies to all who called in to inquire. Your wait for the 1st screening is not in vain: the 1st screening will be as follow:

Title: Clay Bird(2004)
Introduction: The title `Clay Bird' seems to provide a strong metaphor of a people's yearning for freedom-which got weighed down by earthy puills! An international award winning film from Bangladesh -which took a dramatised look at the evolution of Bangladesh as a nation of majority muslims and minority hindus. The tension between the religions is played out in the background of Bangladeshis' nationalism which brought it independence from `islamic' /dictatorial (depend on your perception) Pakistan in 1971, after a bloody 9 month war costing 3 million lives. Where the very populous country will head will have an impact on world's perception of islam and intercultural understanding.
Language: Bangla, with English sub-titles.
Director: Tareque Masud
Date : Feb 8th (Sunday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: 62 Weld Quay, Penang
Enq.013-5900339(Ong)
Entrance: FREE!

Note on locating the film: This is a film which I found in Bangladesh when I was serving as an international election observer in the recent Bangladesh general election. I was looking for a film which can help me to understand the psychi of the nation-but I almost gave up as most of the local prolifically produced films are in Bangla only! This film is one which has English subtitles and backgrounded in the critical time when Bangladesh fought for its independence. A fellow observer from US told me that she actually use the film in her intercultural understanding classes. Come to find out what a gem that I'd found just 2 days before my departure from the country with a new government now! I'll shopw some Bangladesh short videos and photos for early arrivals./Ong BK

Penang Film Club's screenings to stop for end of year holidays

2008-11-08T08:26:00.000-08:00

Halo friends!

The screenings of Penang Film Club will stop for the end of year holidays and resume on the 1st Sunday of 2009.

Happy holidays and an early Happy X-mas, Happy New Year!

See you folks again next year!

Ong BK

Celebrating win of Eco-film Fest Best Environment (Pro-category) award

2008-11-04T19:12:00.000-08:00

The crews and friends of `6 Days' had a reunion last night at Northam Cafe to celebrate the winning of the Eco-Film Fest Best Environment (Pro-catefory) Award. Everyone was satisfied that our work has finally been given some recognition! The positive energy was flowing again-and Johny Goh agreed to help do some additional shooting to spruce up another new film sent to the same festival but did not win any prize ie `Zero Waste Home'. The new film was filmed and editted too hastily(Shot only on Sept 9th -10 days ahead of deadline on Sept 20th!)-so we will spruce it up! We will resend the film to other festivals-and who knows if it will shine in other fests in due time!

Keep up the enthusiasm!

Ong K

`6 Days' wins `Best Environmental' film award at Eco-film Fest(Pro category)

2008-11-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

This is a good news which happened this afternoon(Nov 2nd) at Aswara College, KL. Penang Film Club sent 2 films for the competition with a theme on climate change. The 2 films are -`6 days' (11min) and `Zero Waste Home'(14min). The 2 films were selected as the finalist films-and `6 Days' won the only prize given under the Professional Category. Audrey Yeoh's film won many awards for the ameteur category -including best environment film, best film through online voting, best director and so on. She is the president of the Aswara college's film club.

`6 Days' was scripted by Ong BK, directed and shot by Johny Goh, produced by Lim Chuin Nian & Ong BK, starring Chris Gan, Christine, Naweed, Nirvan, Lim Chuin Nian, Johny Goh &Joseph. Thanks to all and others not mentioned here! The story is about a very insular middle class man who discovered that switching his air conditioner's switch can gravely affect the global weather. The realisation caused him to junk most of his power-grabber gadgets from his home-which until then was full of them!

The non-cash prize given include a 1-footer trophy, a t-shirt and a a mysterious box of goodies presumably contributed by the film fest's many sponsors. When the news was broken to all the major participants of the film all were very excited and replied to me(the only one at the Award ceremony!) that they wanted to organise a celebration! Watch out for more details from them!

I'll be back to Penang on Tuesday with the trophy and goodies-please drop by-say Tuesday evening to check out the mysterious box under seal.

Ong BK
KL

P/S There will be a small celebration at Northam Cafe 8.30pm, Tuesday(Nov 4th) evening. All friends are welcome-may be a piece of the non-cash prizes will be given to a non-crew attendant by drawing lots!

UPDATE: Date changed to Nov 8th : banned film on Indonesia & how to steal votes in US elections

2008-10-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Please take note that due to unforseen clash between functions on the previously advertised date the next screening will be held on Nov 8th (THIS SATURDAY) instead. It will start at 7.30pm, at D' Space (62 Weld Quay). The 2 titles to be screened are `Promised Paradise' (7.30pm), and `Cheating American elections' (8.30pm). See you! Bring all your friends!

Ong BK

Halo folks,
Screening of recycling films attraced more audience
The screening last Sunday attracted about 20 audiences -consisting mainly the crowd who became the actors/extras for the film shooting itself. Well done ! See if we could make any splash at the 1st Eco-Film Fest to start from Nov 1-2nd, at Aswara College , KL. We will update you on that at next screening on Nov 9th.

Next screenings: Double titles!

There will be 2 films to be screened on our next screening according to these details:
Titles:

1. Promised Paradise (52.10min) An outstanding film featuring a special theaterist's enquiry into terrorism post 9-11 and post-Bali bombing in Indonesia. The theaterist utilised his unique sense of humour to convey an anti-terror message which appeal to multi-target audiences ie both children as well as adults can get something out of it. Banned in Indonesia due to its portrayal of an interview of one of the Bali bombers -who are to be executed next week. Start screening : 7.30pm

2. Stealing votes-the American way (50min) -an enquiry into how votes can be `stolen' via `legal means' in US. The means to do it feature what is termed as `voters' suppression' where many blacks and minorities are purged from the voters' registers in key battle states. It has been noticed since at least 3 elections back-and is still continuing. Election watchers will find this film to be of extra interests-and you are most welcome to join the screening! Screening time : 8.30pm

Date : Nov 8th(Saturday)
Venue: D' Space (3rd floor, 62 Weld Quay, above Damacai shop. Map here)
Enq.013-5900339
Entrance: FREE!

See you there!

Ong BK

Premier show: `Zero Waste Home' this Sunday!

2008-10-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Halo friends,

Screening this Sunday(Oct 26th) :
`Zero Waste Home'
(85min) 8.00pm, D' Space (3rd floor, 62 Weld Quay, above Damacai shop)

Introduction to film:

The film to be screened is a home made film on a decade long recycling campaign by the well known Penang couple Don Thesiera & Mylene Ooi of Bkt Mertajam. The film shows the seldom seen faces of the 30-year-old Jelutong Landfill -which has grown up to over 3-storey high, and if left to push into the sea, may well create a 2nd Penang-Prai Bridge at no financial cost to the tax payers! (But the environmental cost may send some shivers up your back!) To stop such garbage mountain from crowding out Penangites' (and Malaysia'ns') living spaces the committed couple have been making their recycling presentation to almost anyone who requested it in the country. The film was made as a way to document the presentation after some 200 times that Don & Mylene have done it on face-to-face encounters with residents groups, schools, clubs, corporations and even government officials! The film will help extend their green message, especially considering that they will get too tired one day. Come to meet the tireless couple and give them a pat on the back! You are also welcome to check out their web site through the link above.

Background to the film making:

The idea of making the film has started at least a year ago after the film maker(BK Ong) won a Freedom Film Fest award in 2007. Don & Mylene had been resisting the idea of filming their presentation because they prefer face-to-face talks which they rightly consider to be more effective. But they then saw that making a film and sending it to festival is also a very effective way to push their green message at well attended festivals. So they appraoched the film maker to make a film about their presentation and to look for a suitable film festival to send the future film to. When a suitable film festival was found ie the Eco-film Fest the film making was set into motion. But there was some unexpected twist: the film fest only offer financial support to film proposals from first time film makers. That information did not come to the film maker until after the proposal was sent out-which meant it was at quite late stage. To salvage the film project some calls were made around to locate alternate sponsors.

Luckily and quickly USM RCE (Regional Centre for Expertise) program offered RM3000.00 to sponsor the film's making! By the time the finances came through and Don & Mylene found time for the filming it was quite late before the submission deadline on Sept 20th (later extended).But thankfully some 50 people turned up for the shooting to play the live audience!

On top of that the film fest limit the films submissions to less than 15 min, which mean that the film maker need to make another shorter version of the presentation for submission. With the help of another few more volunteers and Don's neighbours the 15-min version film was successfully shot and express-edited by editor Johny Goh before the deadline.

So the screening will be joined by a number of the original audience of the shootings of the 2 versions of the film. For all others who had not seen the presentation before the film is definitely a recommendation! So cancell all appointments this Sunday evening and bring your family and friends to the FREE premier screening!

`Zero Waste Home'(85 min)
Producer & Director : Ong BK
Editor: Johny Goh
Language: English
Camera: Ronnie Yeoh, Lim Chuin Nian, Ong BK, Johny Goh

Penang Film Club

Previews of Eco-film Fest

2008-10-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

The 2-min trailer for 2 short films sent by Penang Film Club to the Eco-film Fest have been uploaded to the Eco-film Fest official web site here. Enjoy. The titles of the 2 shorts are: `6 Days' and `Zero Waste Home'. There are intro to the shorts at the Eco-knights web site.

Oct 12th screening: Pink Floyd The Wall

2008-09-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

Halo friends,

The next screening by Penang Film Club will be as follow:

Title: Pink Floyd The Wall (1982)
Intro: This is a film which is more of an extended music video made to the tunes of Pink Flyod's album `The Wall'. It is highly relevant even today in the context of rising and persistence of repressive politics in the world. The film delved into the psychology that underpin fascist tendencies latent in many people eg the yearning for strong rather than rational leaders; the yearning to conform -thus the imagery of `a brick in the wall'; the yearning to be part of a big team-to go with the flow etc.
Time: 8.00pm
Date: Oct 12th (Sunday)
Venue: 3rd floor, 62 Weld Quay 10300 Penang.(see map here)
Enq.013-5900339

See you!

Cheers,
Ong BK

Arts Festival on 30 to 31st August

2008-08-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with Merdeka Day (Independence Day), the guys below us are hosting an arts festival.

Entitled INDIEpendent Fest, this two day event will feature a number of alternative musical groups & performers, poetry recitals, exhibitions, film screenings, etc.

Go here for more information.

Oh yes, that little documentary we made for last year's Freedom Film Fest? We're showing it there...

DATE: 30 and 31 August (Sat & Sun)

TIME: 2:00pm to late

PLACE: 62 Weld Quay, Georgetown, Penang

Aug 3: 'The Diving Bell And The Butterfly'

2008-08-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

Based upon the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, and the book of the same name. A fashion magazine editor (played by Mathieu Almaric) is left totally paralyzed from a stroke. He cannot speak, nor move even a finger or toe of his body. The only exception is his left eyelid... which he can only blink.

Despite his condition, he remains mentally fit. With the help of two therapists, Mr. Bauby develops a method to communicate with them, and express (in coded form) his needs, thoughts, imaginations... and his plan to write a book, despite his invalid state.

This award-winning movie takes us into the mind of the paralyzed Mr. Bauby, and the story of his life before the stroke. He sets out to complete his book, with the assistance of his therapists who decipher his eyelid blinks and "translates" them to words...

Time: 8PM, August 3 (Sunday)

Location: 3rd Floor, 62 Weld Quay (see map)

Admission: FREE

July 13: One Nation Under Lee & Behind The Revolt

2008-07-12T01:41:00.000-07:00

1. 1 Nation Under Lee (45min) -a rare glimpse into what goes behind the squeaky clean Singapore. Produced this year by the oppressed groups in Singapore-must see for people who want another view of Singapore -especially the price for phenomenal economic growth. Many familiar tactics as in Malaysia-only they are perhaps pushed further. Bring your Singaporean friends along since this film will not be screened publicly in any Singapore Tv or cinema.

2.nov25 | Behind The Revolt
Chronology of the Rage (25min)

A documentary that analyzes and highlights the chronology of the events that has led Malaysian Indians to the street protesting on the Nov 25, 2007. By: Indrani Kopal(winner of Human Rights Film award in Freedom Film Fest 2007)

June8: Special Screening Of "The Eleventh Hour"

2008-06-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Usually, we have screenings every two weeks. But for this Sunday, upon request from our members and in conjunction with World Environment Day on June 5th, we're squeezing in an eco-documentary called The 11th Hour.

Narrated by actor Leonardo DiCaprio (start the "Titanic" jokes please), the documentary is about the widespread damage that humans have done to the environment in the rush for development and money. The consequences to the human race is severe... and this film also explains possible disaster scenarios such as global warming, that will occur because of this environmental mismanagement.

Aside from the dire warning, the documentary interviews a myriad of foreign leaders, scientists, and activists for their suggestions to this problem. Stopping and reversing the consequences of environmental destruction will involve the people and governments; from reasonable pro-conservation policies to the use of technology to develop cleaner sources of energy and industry.

Time: 8 PM , June 8th

Location: 62 Weld Quay

June 1: "Screening Of Taxi To The Dark Side"

2008-05-31T20:11:00.000-07:00

On the last screening, we didn't really get to show Taxi To The Dark Side as originally planned. Most of the audience who turned up wanted another film instead, and everyone else was pretty ok by it.

So, we will be screening it again today... at 62 Weld Quay, 3rd floor. Time is 8PM, and admission is free.

Ongoing French Film Festival At Gurney Plaza

2008-05-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

This week, there'll be a screening of eight French films at Gurney Plaza GSC. We aren't affiliated with the organizers, but I'm sure folks will be interested.

The movies are:

- Breathless (A Bout De Souffle)
- If You Love Me Follow Me (Qui M’aime Me Suive)
- I’m Not Here To Be Loved (Je Ne Suis Pas La Pour Etre Aime)
- Love is In The Air (Ma Vie En L’Air)
- Paris, Je T’Aime
- Read My Lips (Sur Mes Levres)
- The Story Of My Life (Mensonges Et Trahisons)
- Tell No One (Ne L Dis A Personne)

Info for the films can be found here.

And showtimes here.

New Screening (May 18) : Taxi To The Dark Side

2008-05-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

We have moved to a new place: 62 Weld Quay. It is just one door away from our previous premises. Its the building with the lottery shop on the ground floor. Our screening theatre is on the 3rd floor of the building. This place is nicer than the previous one...

Part of the Why Democracy? series, this weekend's movie by Alex Gibney tells the true story of Dilawar, a taxi driver who died from torture in the custody of the US Military in Afghanistan. Mr. Dilawar had been driving his passengers past a US army base that had been attacked earlier, and was stopped at a checkpoint by pro-Alliance Afghan militia. The militiamen had framed Dilawar and his passengers, and turned them over to the US military for interrogation.

This Academy Award winning documentary also examines the United States and its intelligence organizations' policies & research on torture for information extraction, and the views from opponents and supporters of torture practices.

Runtime: ~105 minutes

More info here (Needs Flash)

* * * * * *

The screening time has been moved to 8PM due to requests from many members. Aside from being more convenient, it would be dark by then and we wouldn't have the setting sun interfering with the projection.

Place: 62 Weld Quay, 3rd Floor

Time: 8 PM

Admission: FREE

New Movie, May 4th: Half-Moon (Niwe Mang)

2008-04-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Iranian-Kurdish film director Bahman Ghobadi ("Turtles Can Fly", "A Time For Drunken Horses") takes us on a road-trip from Iran to post-Saddam Iraq on a minibus. And just like the previous two movies we screened, "Goodbye Boys" and "Ten Canoes", the director uses non-professional actors and actresses to play the characters in his film.

Besides the driver, the passengers are an old Kurdish musician called Mamo, and his "children" -- actually his ex-students. The famous Mamo wishes to travel with his band to Kurdish-Iraq for a concert, his first in Iraq in 30-plus years. Saddam Hussein had repressed Kurdish culture in Iraq during his rule. The situation is better in Iran, but by not much... women are prohibited from performing.

The trip to Iraq would be risky, and a village elder predicts that serious danger would befall the old musician. Still he presses on with his dream to play in Kurdish Iraq.

Along the way he searches for his singing partner, a woman named Hesho, to join his group. Old Mamo also faces obstacles from the overzealous Iranian police, ever on the lookout for religious transgressions... such as female singers.

More info here

Location: 4th floor, 60 Weld Quay

Time: 7PM (Sunday), 4th May

Admission: Free

April20: Bernard Chauly's "Goodbye Boys" (2006)

2008-04-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

The year 1990. Ipoh. A former mining town now surrounded by a moonscape of abandoned mining machinery & quarries. Eight Boy Scouts (Kinta Troop No.2) from St. Michael's High School embark on a camping expedition to earn their Scout badges. For the trip to be successful, they must cover 100 kilometers of ground around Ipoh on foot. No "help" from any other transport (pedal-powered, animal-powered, or motorized) is allowed. Some aim to complete the expedition fairly, some plan to cheat...

Bernard Chauly's low-budget film takes us through the minds & antics of the eight as they trek through Perak's Kinta Valley; their friendships, the childish pranks they play upon each other, pimples, family relationships, the upcoming school prom, the impending final exams, ... and their future after graduation...

At the end of the expedition, which nearly turned tragic, the eight schoolboys have changed... each of them now with an entirely new outlook on life, and new post-highschool ambitions...

The movie is in a mixture of Malay, mostly English, and some Chinese. But subtitles are provided. From what I've read, most of the actors are first-timers.

http://www.redfilms.com.my/goodbyeboys.htm

Location: 4th floor, 60 Weld Quay

Time: 7PM (Sunday), 20 April

Admission: Free

We Will Be Moving Soon

2008-04-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

"Ten Canoes" was screened to an audience of 10 people yesterday night. Although the Australian-Aboriginal dialogue in the film wasn't subtitled, the voiceover of the narrator and the visuals provided the clues for the audience to figure out what the characters were talking about.

The movie also provided us a glimpse into ancient Aboriginal practices (laws, culture, music, hunting activities, etc.) and storytelling. One wonders if a similar film could be made featuring one or some of the many indigenous Orang Asli tribes of Malaysia...?

As our lease on our current premises at 60 Weld Quay is expiring, the Penang Film Club will have to move. We have a new place in mind, very close to where we are now. We'll let you know soon... once all the paperwork has been finalized.

But our next film, "Goodbye Boys", will still be screened at 60 Weld Quay. It will most likely be our last film to be shown at this place, however.

6 April: "Ten Canoes"

2008-04-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, we will be screening an Australian-Aborigine movie. Filmed in Northern Australia, "Ten Canoes" is set in a time long before the arrival of Europeans on the continent.

A story within a story, the elder aboriginal Minygululu tells a fable to Dayindi, one of the members of Minygululu's hunting expedition. Dayindi is young, but inexperienced, and he desires one of Minygululu's wives for his own. The whole movie is both in English narration and Aboriginal language.

Homepage

Location: 4th floor, 60 Weld Quay

Time: 7PM, Sunday, 6 April

Admission: Free

Kite Runner an attraction with film club members

2008-03-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

We screened Kite Runner on Mar 9th. The screening attracted 15 audience -after screening was suspended due to the Malaysian General Elections during the last screening date. My report after the screening :

The Kite Runner screening tonite (Mar 9th) attracted 15 audience -which is 1
month after the last screening. The last screening-supposedly 2 week ago,
was skipped due to commitment in the Malaysian General Elections by most
members of the Film Club.

Kite Runner is a recent make -telling the story of a political emigrant
from Afghanistan now settled in California. The main character left
Afghanistan with his father after the Russian invasion. He was persuaded to
return to Afghanistan by a discovery that he has a young close family member
left behind in Afghanistan-and he wanted to bring the relative to
California. The film exposed the atrocities of Taliban who were in power
then eg stoning to death of adulterous citizens. After some encounter with
the Talibans he managed to bring the young relative back.

The story explore the psychology of the millions of political emigrants all
over the world eg are they putting saving themselves above saving their
previous country? An encounter with an orphanage manager brought home the
point.

The film managed to catch public imagination because it is set in the
background of policy debates on US/Western policy around Afghanistan. While
promoting human rights seems defensible if not laudable the sacrificing of
thousands of human life by a policy based on human rights and
anti-terrorism, seems to be self-contradictory. A more discerning,
sensitive policy seems overdue-even as of now.

The making of film apparently had to skirt around numerous sensitivities eg
the film was shot in Sinkiang of China, and numerous participants of the
film have to live out of the country. It is a film of our time -if we
consider that anti-terrorism policy of the US had `terrorised' numerous
humanistic concerns both in and out of US. The `export' of the violence to
Pakistan seems to indicate that the `war on terror' had help spread more
violence and counter violence, up to this day!

GIven the theme that this film delve in it is surprising that the film uses
a treatment which is more literary, symbolic and poetic than the usual
action pack Hollywood treatment. At times the film even seems to be drifting
aimlessly-but the ending definitely managed to bring the poignanacy of the
film's subject into focus. The kite competition (where kite players compete
to cut other kites in the sky so as to remain the only one left)was used in
the film to symbolise the rule of the strong played out in the Afghanistan
society. The kite runner refer to the one who run after a kite which has
been cut off by a rival).

It was a highly watchable and engaging film.

Review by Ong BK
(The review attracted some responses from various members at the e-group-join in the e-group to read more).

Tragedi Jakarta 1998

2008-02-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

Title : Tragedi Jakarta 1998 (Gerakan Mahasiswa di Indonesia) (Tragedy in Jakarta 1998-Indonesian Students Movement)
Language: English -with interviews in Indonesian-English subtitles provided
Director: Tino Saroengallo
Year of production : 2002
Award: Asia-Pacific Film Award, Seoul, 2002

Intro: It is a moving documentation of the epoch making change following the fall of Indonesia's longest serving dictator Suharto-who died 3 week ago. This is the 10th year anniversary of that earth shaking Reformasi in Indonesia -which succeeded. But the Reformasi in Malaysia -which had not succeeded -had attracted little interests for remembrance despite the 10th year anniversary. Yet the lessons need to be learned or the same mistakes could recur. To get some inspirations may be we can start by looking back at the successful Indonesian Reformasi?

Screening : Feb 10th (Sunday)
Time : 7.00pm
Venue: D' Space (60 weld Quay, 4th floor of Wisma Oh, above Silverstone Tyre shop)
Enq. 013-5900339(Ong)

Main Film

2008-02-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

Only for Canadians, but check it out anyway: Main Film

"Thus the goal of MAIN FILM'S new programme is to nurture and to stimulate the artistic growth of independent filmmakers wishing to explore, deepen and develop their own unique creative language through the tactile medium of film."

Screening of The Big Durian (Jan 13)

2008-01-10T05:12:00.000-08:00

Time: 7pm

Venue: D'Space, 4th Floor, Wisma Oh, 60 Weld Quay, 10300 Penang

Directions: As you come out of the jetty or pass the jetty on your left along Weld Quay, drive on past the petrol station on your left. Wisma Oh is a four-storey building on the right with a tyre shop at the bottom with a huge red "Silverstone" sign. It's on the left if you come from the Jelutong Expressway.

Tel: 013 5900 339 (Ong) or 016 333 7678 (Kris)
Email: democracy4now@gmail.com or kris.khaira@gmail.com

1. What Barry Says | IMDB
by Simon Robson
2004, 3 min

Through animation and narration, Simon Robson explains why in his view the war on terror is actually a campaign against opposition of US domination, led by weapon manufacturers.

2. The Big Durian | IMDB

by Amir Muhammad

2003, 75 min

On the night of 18 October 1987, a soldier ran amok with an M16 in the area of Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. Due to the thorny circumstances of the time and place, his amok triggered a citywide panic and rumours of racial riots. Why did he do it? Why were Malaysians so jittery at the time? And what happened next? "The Big Durian" speaks to 23 Malaysians (some real, some fictional) to find out.

3. Discussion

Analyse, criticise!

Last screening of 2007 (December 30)

2007-12-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

Time: 7pm

Venue: D'Space, 4th Floor, Wisma Oh, 60 Weld Quay, 10300 Penang

How To Get There: As you come out of the jetty or pass the jetty on your left along Weld Quay, keep going on straight, past the petrol station on your left. Then, look for the Silverstone tyre shop with the red sign on the right. D'Space is at the top floor of that building, Wisma Oh.

Contact: 016 333 7678 (Kris) or kris.khaira@gmail.com

1. Search For
by Lesly Leon Lee
11 min

Search For is a short film by Lesly Leon Lee from KL with a unique visual and sound experience to create a fantasy-horror atmosphere. Inspirations include Eraserhead, the 1977 film directed by David Lynch.

2. Other short films?

max 5-10 min

3. Discussion 1

15 min

4. Lelaki Komunis Terakhir

The Last Communist

by Amir Muhammad

2006, 90min

"A travel documentary essay, interspersed with specially composed songs, about the early life and legacy of Chin Peng, exiled leader of the banned Communist Party of Malaya."

- IMDB

5. Discussion 2

December 16: Akira Kurosawa's "Ikiru"

2007-12-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, we were unable to get a copy of U-Wei Shaari's Jogho. We've looked around to get a copy of the film, but our effort in the past 3 weeks haven't been successful. So we plan to settle for an alternative... Ikiru.

Directed by acclaimed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa (Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo), the movie is about Kanji Watanabe, a bureaucrat who works for the city council. His life mainly revolves around his dull and repetitive job. All that changes however, when he realizes he's dying from stomach cancer.

Mr. Watanabe sets out to live his remaining year fully, and to contribute something useful to society. In his quest, he bumps into a former colleague from his workplace, who indirectly shows him the way.

Admission is FREE

Location: 3rd Floor, 60 Weld Quay

Time: Sunday, 16 December (7PM)

Dec2: "Brokeback Mountain"

2007-11-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

Our last screening of "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" saw about 30 people turn up for the movie. We got the chance to hear the documentary's director express his own criticism towards the movie rating system of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), and also got a first hand look on how the system works.

Also interesting was the fact that the people in the MPAA who review and rate movies are not known to the public. The director... Kirby Dick... actually had to hire a private investigator to find out who they were... with some surprises.

After the documentary, we had a discussion about film censorship in Malaysia, and a comparison with other countries such as Germany, France, and Australia.

================================

This Sunday, on December2, we will be showing "Brokeback Mountain", Ang Lee's famous (or infamous) film that won many awards in film festivals; such as the Oscar for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and the Best Director at the BAFTAs... among all others. The movie is based on a story by writer Annie Proulx.

I'm sure you all know what the story's about... considering the controversy and publicity surrounding Ang Lee's movie. Set in a time period in the 1960s to the 1980s, two American cowboys (Jake Gyllenhaal from "Donnie Darko" & Heath Ledger) are hired as sheepherders in Wyoming. Both men develop a romantic relationship between themselves. They both part ways, move to different ends of the vast United States, and get married (to women).

The two cowboys meet a few years later and continue with their secret lives, while at the same time, living the life of married men with families on the outside.

Time: 7PM, Sunday, Dec 2.

Admission: FREE

Nov18: New Movie - "This Film Is Not Yet Rated"

2007-11-17T22:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, thats the title.

In this documentary, Kirby Dick explores the inner workings of the ratings board of the Motion Picture Association of America. While movies are not banned, an improper rating from the MPAA may cause distributors or cinema operators not to screen the film, for fear of losing revenue. For example, a children's or family movie slapped with a PG-13 rating might cause its target audience (families with young children) not to view the movie due to the rating.

Some interesting topics we can later discuss is the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia, and movie ratings for appropriate ages in Malaysia...

Time: 7PM, Nov 18 (Sunday)

Admission: FREE

November4: Fahrenheit 451

2007-10-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

On October 21st, we screened the documentary "Sicko" to an audience of around 23 people. Michael Moore shows the inadequacies of the US health system and its effects upon those from the lower-income groups, as well as those who had run-in's with the bureaucratic and profit-oriented medical insurance companies. He contrasts this with the healthcare systems of Canada, France, Britain, and Cuba.

We had several French citizens who were in the audience, who could present their opinion after the show. They did agree that some of the characteristics of France's healthcare system in the documentary were true. But they also felt that Moore painted a very rosy picture of the system, giving the impression that its faultless. Other audience members also gave their opinions/experiences/complaints of the healthcare systems of the countries they had lived in; notably Australia, Germany, the US, and yes... the Malaysian healthcare system too.

=========================

This upcoming Sunday (Nov4), we'll be screening "Fahrenheit 451". Another dystopian movie, the film presents a future where anti-intellectualism is the order of the day, dissent is outlawed, and all printed material are marked for destruction. Our protagonist, Guy Montag, works for the government as a fireman. His job description? Find books... burn books.

At first all is well for Montag until he has a confrontation with a woman named Clarisse, which starts to jolt him from his worldview. Just like the protagonist in "Equilibrium", he begins questioning the regime and its policies that he works for...

Location: 4th Floor, 60 Weld Quay (see sidebar for map)

Time: 7PM, 4 November (Sunday)

Admission: FREE

New Movie: Michael Moore's "Sicko"

2007-10-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

This Sunday's (Oct20) movie will be "Sicko", a Michael Moore film about the state of healthcare in the United States. From Moore's point of view, he details how the expensive costs of medicine, insurance, and healthcare is affecting lower-income US citizens, with many struggling to obtain the funds to get treatment.

Location: 60 Weld Quay, 4th floor

Time is 7PM.

Admission is FREE.

Review of past month's activities of the Penang Film Club

2007-10-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

A quick recap of our activities in the past month or so…

Aug26: Screened Soylent Green (1973). Starring Charlton Heston (Ben Hur, Planet Of The Apes) as Robert Thom, a police detective working in an overpopulated New York City in an overpopulated Earth. Due to diminishing resources, the citizens are fed synthetic foods such as Soylent Red, Soylent Grey, …and the new Soylent Green. Heston discovers the true ingredients of this new product… giving a whole new meaning to the term “you are what you eat”.

Sep9: Brick (2005). Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Brendan, a high-school kid who infiltrates a drug gang to destroy it, and find out who murdered his ex-girlfriend. Influenced heavily by hardboiled film noir in terms of plot and dialogue, the film was found by many in the audience to be too slow, too confusing, and perhaps too pretentious. At the end, the audience of around 15 had diminished to just 4 people…

Sep21-23: Freedom Film Fest. On the last day, we screened the documentary we had made about the Penang Clan Jetties. Reception from the audience was very positive.

Oct7: Equilibrium (2002). Last Sunday, we screened to an audience of 12 people. This movie was about a civilization that had successfully eradicated hatred and war. The catch: the population has had their emotions and feelings suppressed with mandatory administration of a drug. Failure to take the medication to become an emotionless, harmless zombie could lead to arrest and execution. Christian Bale stars as a government agent tasked with enforcing the Government’s law and eradicating rebels who have refused the medication. Very close similarities could be found with movies like “The Matrix”, “V For Vendetta”, and George Orwell’s book “1984”.

Upcoming Schedules:

Last Sunday, we also discussed our schedule for the next two months. Below are the dates for future screenings:

October 21: “Sicko” (2007)

November 4: “This Film Is Not Yet Rated” (2006)

November 18: “Fahrenheit 451” (1966)

December 2 : “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)

Freedom Film Fest coming to Penang Sept 21st-23rd

2007-09-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

Freedom Film Fest 2007 -in its 4th year, is returning to Penang with 32 films to show over 2 and a half day and night, starting from evening of Sept 21st(Friday), at Actors Studio, Green Hall.In view of the feast for the film lovers Penang Film Club will skip the next screening on Sept 23rd -so our next screening (`Equilibrium') will be on Oct 14th(Sunday) 7.00pm, at D' Space. We will be distributing leaflets of the Penang Film Club to attract more members to the club-so any members who are keen to join in please contact Ong 013-5900339.

As to the titles to be shown and synopsis of the FFF screenings you can actually obtain a copy of the glossy full colour program sheet from us. Just call the same number above.

Some previews of the FFF: of the 32 films there are 3 films which are the creations from 3 winners of the Justin Louis Award from KOMAS. Each winner won Rm5000.00 to make their film based on their winning film idea. The 3 films are : `Forgotten' by Ong BK, on the endangered clan jetties at Weld Quay; `10 years before Merdeka' by Fahmi Reza, on the forgotten Merdeka fighters, and `She is my son' by Indriani Kopal, about a transgendered Malaysian. All 3 films are about 30min in length.

Among the 32 films is also another Penang made film `Old but not dead' by Bus Users Group(12min).

You are welcome to come with all your friends to support the Penang films and all other human rights based films which you don't get to see in the Tvs and cinemas. For details see here.

UPDATE: 8am Breakfast Show at NTV7 this Friday Sept 14th, will feature a joint interview of the 3 winners of the FFF film awards. The winners had previously been featured by the 8TV's mid-night program `Quikie' over 3 weeks. The Sunday Star had also featured the 3 films and film makers over the last 3 weekends. Look them up if you are interested.

Ong BK

August 26; New Movie: "Michael Collins"

2007-08-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Note: Because of some technical problems, we had to screen Soylent Green instead. Our apologies! We will be showing Michael Collins on Sep 9 instead.

2 weeks ago, we screened "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" to an audience of around 11 people. This movie was about the War of Independence in Ireland, and the men who continued their insurgency (this time against their fellow countrymen) after the founding of the Irish Free State which they felt was a puppet state to the former British rulers.

This movie will detail the story of Michael Collins, one of the key members of the Irish Republican Army who fought the British, and later accepted their offer for the establishment of the Irish Free State.

However, this was opposed by some who felt they should not settle for what theyfelt was incomplete independence from the United Kingdom, as Britain would still have a large say in Ireland. They believed the armed struggle must continue until full Irish independence was acheived. From this disagreement, comes a civil war of Irish Republican Army militants against the Irish Free State's troops. This time, Michael Collins (now a Commander of the Free State Army) will have to battle his former comrades.

Date: This Sunday, August 26.

Time: 7 PM

Place: 60 Weld Quay, 4th floor

August 12, New Movie: The Wind That Shakes The Barley

2007-08-04T23:13:00.000-07:00

Winner of the Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival, this movie tells the story of two brothers in the midst of the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921). Both are members of the IRA, conducting operations on troops from the United Kingdom. The war ends with the Anglo-Irish Treaty that allows the establishment of the Irish Free State.

However, the truce is not well received by everyone in Ireland. From this disagreement, a new war immediately begins. But this time, the enemy on both sides are Irishmen. The two brothers also find themselves on opposing factions; with one supporting the treaty, the other allying with the anti-treaty IRA...

Ok, we've decided: "Grizzly Man" this Sat (July 28)

2007-07-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

This Saturday's screening will be "Grizzly Man", a documentary by reknowned German director Werner Herzog.

This movie is about the case of real-life American environmental activist Timothy Treadwell, who documented the lives of brown bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park over a period of 13 years. Unarmed and usually camping alone, Treadwell approached the wild bears closely (a very dangerous thing) to film and photograph them. Soon, he begins to blur the line between man and beast. And eventually...

Much of the footage of the animals were actually filmed by Treadwell himself. While most filmmakers would stay at a safe distance with a telephoto lens, Treadwell instead went up-close-and-personal. This gave a unique (but also foolhardy, depending on your view) perspective on the life of bears in the wild and their interactions with a human stranger.

In this movie, Herzog also details Timothy Treadwell's increasing affinity towards the Alaskan wilderness and wildlife, and his dissatisfaction & hostility with human society. As Treadwell died before this documentary was made, he was never interviewed. The closest we'll know about Treadwell in this film, will come from his loved ones and folks close to him.

As usual, time is 8PM at 60 Weld Quay... several blocks south of the ferry terminal.

Admission is FREE.

This Saturday (14 July): Screening & Discussion

2007-07-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

We'll be meeting this Saturday at 8PM to view the documentary we've shot so far about the Chew Jetty. A couple of short films made by some of our members will also be screened. And after that there'll be a discussion on what was shown, where we get the chance to share our opinions, insight, suggestions, and... criticism.

Appeal for old photos of early Penang, clan jetties

2007-07-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

The Clan Jetties filming project had come to a stage where we had finished the main shootings and looking forward to editing. We desperately need old photos and paintings of the Penang port, the clan jetties especially stevedores, sampan men, charcoal traders, fishermen etc, on top of women, children, old folks etc. So anyone with such photos/ paintings are welcome to notify us of the wherabouts of these photos/paintings ASAP ! Our contacts : democracy4now@gmail.com 013-5900339(Ong BK-Director)
Actually we had also got some of the photos from various sources : Dr Chan Lean Heng -researcher of the clan jetties-photos of 30-40 years vintage; paintings of the clan jetties by Penang's painter Chong Hong Fatt; google photos on early Penang, books by Teow Shiaw Kuan, the Koay Jetty campaign group etc. However they are not in sufficient quantity or quality yet. We hope that people out there who share our concern to conserve the history/heritage of Penang will come forward with their family collections to assist us in this project -which can be a start to wider documentation of Penang's early communities -from various ethnic backgrounds.

The life of the early communities are actually quite complex and diverse -and thus need more elaboarate (pictoral) colloborations. Eg Are the clan jetties fishing villages as propagated by tour guides ? How did the conflicts among the jetties managed -what was the roles of various other parties outside ? What changed the attitude of the authorities towards the barter trade there compared to policies else where ? What are the roles of women in the clan jetties clan-centred social structure?
The photos /paintings are important to bring to light/live the groups who contributed towards the success of Penang port -which propelled the island's economy to the height it achieved. Similarly the other communities who helped in the country's economy need similar treatment later. Your support is most needed to make this tentative step of reclaiming the people's history a success !
Ong BK
Director
Clan Jetty Filming Crew

Double Feature Saturday: Baraka & Chronos

2007-06-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

In succession to our screening of Koyaanisqatsi last week, we will be showing two more movies with similar themes this Saturday evening, at 8pm. Place: 60 Weld Quay

and here's a map of where's 60 Weld Quay at...

They are:

Baraka (1992)

Runtime ~96minutes

...and Chronos (1985)

Runtime ~40minutes

Admission: FREE

Just like Koyaanisqatsi, the films have no main plot, dialogue, and characters. Being abstract, the viewer can make his or her own interpretation on the movie and the message it entails.

Free screening of Koyaanisqatsi

2007-06-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

Penang Film Club will be screening the renown classic Koyanisqatsi film according to the following details :
Date : June 17th (Sunday)
Time : 8.00pm
Venue : D' Space (60 Weld Quay, 4th floor of Wisma Oh)
Intro to the film : the film (1980's make) featured an extended music video which contrast nature and human made citiscapes to produce a dialogue-less condemnation of human civilisation. Excellent music by Philip Glass add to the poignancy of the feature-length piece. Many people had been so charmed that they watch it repeatedly. It is by-itself a prove of the power of imageries over human(made)-languages. The title is a Hopi Indian word meaning `Life Out of Balance'.
Free entrance-bring your friends and favourite cinema tit-bits!
Enq. 013-5900339(Ong)

Hmm... What shall we screen this Sun?

2007-06-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

By: BrightEyes

This Sunday, we're going to screen another movie at 60 Weld Quay (near the ferry terminal). Some of the guys plan on "Baraka". I'm looking to having "Koyaanisqatsi" instead. Both films are similar in concept; they both have no main characters, no dialogue, and no main plot... just a parade of photographs and videos in a musical.

Which of the two shall it be?

Stay tuned...

Pesta Rakyat Merdeka offer free film screenings

2007-06-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

Pesta Rakyat Merdeka: June 24th
Start: 24 Jun 2007 - 9:30am
End: 24 Jun 2007 - 5:00pm
Dewan Sri Pinang
1) 1:30 ptg – 2:10 ptg "Alice Lives Here" oleh Reel Powers
2) 2:10 ptg – 2:40 ptg "Paradise Bus" oleh Chi Too
3) 2:40 ptg – 3:10 ptg "Twelve 11" oleh Loh Yin San, Ong Ju Lin & Claudia Theophilus
4) 3:10 ptg – 3:40 ptg "The Tapper and the Law" oleh Rajan Paramesran
5) 3:40 ptg – 4:10 ptg "The Invisible Children" oleh Hariati Azizan
6) 4:10 ptg – 4:40 ptg "Sustainable Penang" oleh Cahayasuria Communication Centre
For more info, visit pestarakyatmerdeka.blogspot.com.

Clan Jetty film to start shooting in end of June/1st week of July

2007-06-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Clan Jetty film close to shooting!

The shooting of the Penang's Clan jetties film is coming closer with a number of developments :
1. The filming group was awarded a RM5k filming grant from the Freedom Film Fest film proposal competition; We are 1 of the 3 films chosen. The other 2 films are : one of Malaysian history between WW2 & Emergency-by Fahmi; and another on the life of a transgender person by Indra; Ong attended an interview in Kl at KOMAS office as part of the screening process; a panel of 4 judges sat as the jury; a number of otehr submissions were also sent from Penang Film club members -showing a growing interests in film making in Penang -good development !
2. Ong met up with the FFF organisers and the Bigpictures consultants to go through the expectations in terms of timetable; reporting etc etc. A contract would be signed to formalise the undertakings from both sides.
3. A screening of all other related films on the jetties was organised as part of the fortnightly film screening at D' Space. Titles were made from ASTRO; Panorama program by RTM1; film by USm student and Australian academic were studied to look at their strenghts and weaknesses. Chew Jetty's Residents Association Chairman Mr Chew Hock Eam came to gave an encouraging opening to the session.
4. Meeting was held among the film crews -so the almost all-new line up are :
Director : Ong BK
Content Editor: Oswald phin, Xing Ying, Yoke Pin, Johnie Goh
Camera : Oswald phin, Chuin Nian;
DOP : Jia En, Siang Kai & members of Pg Film Club and Pg Graduates Youth Association;
Editor : Jia En, Johnie Goh
Anyone interested to join us as crew or extras, are welcome to call us to sign up in our suppport team ! You can help in all sorts of work eg designing, acting, lighting ...down to helping with transports, catering, running errands etc Afterall the Rm5k grant cannot be hoped to cover all expenses-we will most likely be doing some more fund raising after the budget is finalised. So you may be a valunteer -it will be worth it if you conside rthta this may launch you into an outstanding filming carreer !Enq. 013-5900339
5. Meeting with Johnie Goh: he offered to loan his camera and other gadgets -and also offer us to involved in his filming assingment in KL; Hopefully we can pick up enough to apply in the Clan Jetty film.
6. Currently we are almost finished with the script-and looking forward to shooting in the last week of June or 1st week of July. We need to prepare everything ahead of the shooting planned to take 3-5 days.
Wish us good luck !
Ong BK
Coordinator
Clan Jetties Filming Crew

Review: Darwin's Nightmare -also our nighmare !

2007-05-24T23:38:00.000-07:00

Halo folks,
Darwin's Nighmare: a review

Got a tips from Kris and went to Alliance Francaise at Jln Irrawady, P. Tikus to watch Darwin's Nightmare last night. Saw Johnathan instead -Kris missed the show because he came late (and the door was locked).

The longish show(111 min) made a strong point on the pollution of Lake Victoria where locals(Mwanza community of Tanzania) live off the carcases of a fish introduced to the lake in 1960's and caused an eco-cide in the lake as the new species took over the lake. The fish is quite big and good for mass production of fish fillets for EU market. A typical exploitative N-S issue.

The war in the lake among the fishes(reflected vividly by a shot of smaller fishes taken out from the mouth of a bigger fish) is reflected in an equally deadly war among the humans around the lake. The big planes which took away the fish brought back ammunitions and weapons for the warring groups here. The suppliers of the weapons are criticised by locals as the instigators of the local conflicts where people hardly can feed themselves with the fish carcases.

Apart from the content the film's making also shows many good points on how to make a good informative and moving films with a camera going to some far-flung places with little support facilities. The course sound from a record player at the office of a manager of a fish processing factory reflects enough of the situation there. The many conversations were recorded with 1 camera swing from 1 side to another.

If there is a complaint the interviewer -while never shows his face, was mumbling a bit when he asked the interviewees. A bit hard to hear him sometimes. This however cannot put down the film makers' tremendous effort in making the film, as reflected by the amount of local and non-local interviewees he got to speak to -from higher ups-politicians who dialogue leisurely with EU officials, to the lowest down-street kids, prostitutes, aids victims, fish carcase processors standing in the mud with maggots all over etc.

The film was released in 2005 -and needs some updating as things have been moving fast in the development there-including episodes where EU stop the import of the fish coming from the starving populations. And environmental laws being enacted in Tanzania since then.

The host of the film screening, Alliance Francaise, could have done better if they initiate some discussion of such a good film at the end. About 10 people watched the film -and I'm sure some if not all of them would have something to say about the highly charged issues raised. But may be the film screening was more a diplomatic affairs ? The premise was quite pleasing -a well-maintained pre-war house, though some noise can still be filtering through from outside.

Ong BK

World Environment Day Screening : An Inconvenient Truth

2007-05-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

It is strange that the well known film about climate change by a well known speaker had not been shown publicly in Penang yet. So Penang FilmClub would use the occasion of this year's World Environment Day to screen the very recommendable film-both for content as well as the make :

Date : June 3rd (Sunday)

Time : 8.00pm

Venue: D' Space (60 Weld Quay, 4th Floor of Wisma Oh)

Entrance : FREE -limited seats -1st come 1st served !

Enq.013-5900339 (Ong)

Screening of Clan Jetties films

2007-05-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Halo folks,
Next screening : Films on Clan Jetties
There are 4 groups of short films on the clan jetties which we will show this Sunday (May 13th) at 8.00pm, at D' Space:
1. By Astro (with 4 segments-2 on Chew Jetty, 1 on Koay Jetty)
2. By RTM -on demolished Koay Jetty
3. By visiting USM students -on demolished Koay Jetty
4. By Australian academic -on history of demolished Koay Jetty.

We can only show as much as time permit. The reason for showing these films are : we have enough people who want to watch them-which include people who are involved in the making of the new film on the clan jetties. The group had won a RM5k award from FFF organiser recently.

Discussion about the films and also the making of the film will follow the screenings. All welcome to the screening.

Other film projects around Penang:
BM Film by Xing Ying to be shown in June
A member on this mail list Xing Ying (previously trained in Han Chiang) is making a film about her own home town -with teh good and bads all thrown in. We look forward to her production to be shared with us when it is ready. This seems to follow a good trend to start to look into our history-especially local history.

Ghost films by Chuin Nian
D' Space has agreed to allow Chuin Nian to use the venue for shooting his new short film which happen to be a ghost story. Get scared-and very, very scared! He also look forward to make a longer feature film in the same genre. Best of luck.

Screening of videos on 2 recent by-elections: May 12th (Sat) 8.00pm, D' Space
There will be discussions about the by-elections after the screening. Speakers : Ong BK -accreditated election observer by Election Commission; Lee Khai Loon -Coordinator of Youth For Change-organised a bus trip to the 2 by-election to acquint youth to Malaysia's electoral process -and for that they got a threat by the Higher Education Minister to go after the uni students involved ! What a shame ! Lee is also a Penangite.

Cheers,
Ong BK

Venezuela Bolivariana : inspiring people's power !

2007-04-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Halo folks,Screening of `Venezuela Bolivariana' 12 people attended the screening of the film described as `agitating' by an attendant. Even though it is a film made from a certain partisan perspective the pro-people stand of the doco derive its authenticity from the numerous interviewees from the street level. The results from the Venezuela revolution led by Hugo Chavez eg land reform, ban on intrusion of trawler ships into shallow seas, improvement of literacy etc become concrete reasons for the people's undying support for the President when he was hijacked through a coup d'tate in 2002. The street mobilisation despite numerous people being killed by anti-Chavez snippers finally caused the President to be brought back !
It is a miraculous success -especially compared to the fate of another democratically elected president in Chile (Allende) who was deposed through the coup staged by the upper class. The Chavez's success had since spawn a `domino effect' on the S. America as more changes of government take place in the last 5 years.
After the screening we had a discussion on how far the people should defend the democratic process and the constitution in the event of military coups. The situation is also contrasted with the coup against the more conservative Thaksin regime in Thailand. But the real debate actually relates to how far the very corrupted democratic process in Malaysia can be trusted to bring about real changes to the people !
The Venezuela situation showed that even if the City Council in the capital city was in the hand of the Opposition the Chavez government did not abolish the City Councils' election as happened in Malaysia as far back as 1965 ! But how far have and would Malaysian citizens fought against this denial of their citizens' rights ?
Next screening
Videos from the last 2 by-elections by MALVU (Election Watch group) + other proposals. Chuin Nian called to suggest that he MAY be able to bring along a copy of the Inconvenient Truth by Al-Gore the American Presidential candidate-about climate change. Hope he can confirm soonest for us to publicise it earlier. Since both the videos & the film have interests beyond the Film Club members we will publicise it beyond the mail-list. Cheers,Ong BK

Screening of Hitler Speaks during Kg. Berembang Tragedy Cultural Night (14 April)

2007-04-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

A gig and art exhibition will be held this *Saturday (14th April)* for the victims of the Kg. Berembang tragedy.

Saturday, 14 April,
D’Space, 60 Weld Quay, Georgetown
5pm: Urban pioneers’ struggle art exhibit
8pm: Gig feat. Coma, Firefly, Weot Skam
More info here

If you don’t know what happened in Kg. Berembang, find out here:

Review of "Night On Earth"

2007-04-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

An impressive low-budget film directed by Jim Jarmusch, "Night On Earth" is a 30 to 40 minute vignette on the lives of five different taxi drivers in five different cities around the world. Each of the five separate snapshots is supposed to take place at the same time, with the clock rewinding itself when transitioning from one story to the next...

In LA, a chain-smoking (Lucky Strikes) 18-20 yr old girl (Winona Ryder) drives a middle aged Hollywood exec. who is looking for looking for young undiscovered talent and sees it in the driver. She refuses, adding that she has her life all planned out to be a taxi driver, and more.

In New York, an East German immigrant and former circus clown tries to drive a New Yorker who complains about racial inequality e.g. that he usually can't get a taxi because most taxi drivers fear being robbed by a black guy (this is NYC in the early 90s). This story also highlights the cultural barriers between the East German and the black passenger from the suburbs of NY. If you observe, Helmut's driving skills improve at the end. Is this intentional?

In Paris, African diplomatic officials (Cameroon) insult African (Ivory Coast) immigrant driver. It shows that blind people have character as well e.g. can be sarcastic, rude, confident. The Rome story relates to humour, religion and parodising the Church while in Helsinki, the idea of sadness as being relative and the personal problems of the poor and retrenched are exposed.

Read what you missed in last night's screening :

2007-03-26T00:27:00.000-07:00

Halo folks,
We had a good turn out at the special screening of Julian Cheah's new Malay film `Penyesalan tak Berakhir' last night-with about 20 attendants ! Those who missed the screening really should regret it !
Before we started 3 special short clips were screened :
1. Julian's filmed congrat to Victoria for her real marriage -Victoria being the one married on screen to the character played by Julian in the film `Have you ever married a Chinese man?' A cheeky presentation !
2. A funny clip by visiting film maker Fahmi from KL. The short juxtaposed the notorious demolition of Kg Chubadak's housing with the PM's upbeat new year speech. A certain poignancy is achieved in the short where there was no other narrator. Thanks Fahmy.

Fahmi's sharing of his film research on unsung Independence struggles heros
Fahmi is in Penang till Wed to do some filming on a film project -to document a period between WW2 & Emergency to uncover the unsung heros for Malaysia's Independence struggle. Good effort ! He offer to share his research up to this point with anyone interested on Tuesday evening at D' Space around 8.00pm. Anyone interested are welcome for this teh-tarik discussion session ! He do have a few funny clips to share around ...Please indicate your interests to attend to allow me to gauge the level of interests for this `program'. With the country set to celebrate 50th/44th Merdeka in a major way soon the relooking of our contested history is much needed. A great nation cannot grow from enforced ignorance or lost memories !

3. A 36 sec clip by Jia Meng-whose photographic shop along Penang Rd was raided by 4 MPPP enforcement officers on 21-03-07. The clip had attracted 700 + viewing at You-tube and pages of lively discussions in at least 5 web sites which linked to it. At Low Yat web site the discussions had run into 7 pages at last check ...what an underreported scandal where even Malaysiakini failed to report despite alert ! There is a report in Star which was only available in print version. To watch the clip go to www.youtube.com and search for `Keganasan MPPP'.

After the exciting shorts we went into the 62 min feature by Julian Cheah. (see another post for full review).

We finished our last bit of `mental masturbation' (as one member said of our post-film supper) at the usual place (Kassim Mustafa) at around 1.00am. Wonder how 6 guys can talk over 2 days just about some plastic matter/films ....

NEW blog for Nonay Film Club
Actually we didn't just talked about films -we discussed many things -including starting a blog for NONAY Film Club since we are approaching our 6 month anniversary-the self-set target for NONAY film club to re-establish itself on a more lasting basis. Notice we are still without even a name to start with ! Johnathan will call a meeting sometime this week to brainstorm on how we can design the blog. If you have any ideas please forward to us through this discussion list.

Next screening : We need 10 interested people to screen `Night on Earth' -3 agreed -7 to go-after we postponed the screening of this title twice before due to various reasons. HURRY !
Since we will be looking at the brainstorming result from Jonathan there would be something to chew over for Nonay Film CLub -hope the members would make it a point to come and contribute our ideas for our 6 month anniversary due in June !
Date : 1-4-07 (Sunday) No April Fool !
Time : 8.00pm
Venue : D' Space.
There is a April Fool joke competition on -please submit your try and win handsome, eye-popping prizes !

That's all for the moment folks !

See you !

Ong BK

`Penyesalan Tak Berakhir' to end Julian's filming `penyesalan' ?

2007-03-26T00:11:00.000-07:00

`Penyesalan tak Berakhir' well received !After screening 3 exciting shorts we went into the 62 min feature by Julian Cheah. A well received film if we go by the positive responses after the screening. A few things stood out : the `low budget' Rm18k film was done with a 1-man crew ie the director/actor/etc etc -Julian Cheah ! He even filmed himself when he was acting his part !

The film did utilised an imported talent of a recognised TV actress who played the lead actress role effectively. The film's simplicity did not detract from the fact that its story focus on a nerve centre of Malaysia's almost unrivaled urbanisation -from 30% in 1970 to 70% in 2005. But the price of broken or strained family relation is poignantly played out in the film-which was telling a story of how a son who left for the city neglected his adopted mother -and regretted too late when he found his mother dying in a paddy field in the closing scene.

The scenes of rural life was much appreciated by the audience too -the eating of sireh, the washing of cloth by getting water from a well; the grinding of curry herbs etc. The using of royalty paid traditional Malay music was also a plus for the film.

Some critcisms were raised about the simplicity of the film which did not adequately explained the crucial change of the son from the cold hearted self to another where he went back to the village to look for his mother. It happened after a series of events which unfolded relatively quickly in a slow moving film : 1st the predicament of the old women caught attention of a by-stander (Willian played by Julian)-who happen to know his son-who then confronted the son Borhan/Jeff-which was noticed by his girlfriend-who then wanted to split from him and stop the fund for Borhan/Jeff's housing project. Did Borhan change his heart due to sincere regret -or simply another cold hearted calculation to hang on to the financing for his housing project ?

The ending scene where the old lady was found dying in a paddy field was found to be inadequately explained by some members of the audience. May be it would be better if she could be found dying near a fishing pond, someone suggested.

Some suggestions to improve the film eg the walk from the village to Borhan's city apartment by the old lady was not shown to show the effort of the old lady need to make to see her son. Another was some helpful lines which tell of how many youngsters had left for the city and run into emotional crisis with their family -to solidly contextualise the story in the bigger social `movement' of Malaysians from rural to urban society.

Instead of making his own film Julian actually made this film where the inspiration came from one of the actors in the film-a neighbour who sympathised with the old lady's predicament. Ther are different opinions as to if this is good or if Julian should keep to making his own films to emphaisze authorial authenticity. However all agreed that this film was a marked improvement from the last 2 shown here-something which Julian himself did not quite agree-he thought that all his films are different.

Review by : Ong BK

The Never-Ending Regret by Julian Cheah

2007-03-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

We just screened Julian Cheah's The Never-Ending Regret (Penyesalan Tak Berakhir) last night.

It portrayed how materialism and urbanisation affected individuals and this was also Julian Cheah's first film where he was not involved in the script as part of his adventure into filming other types of stories.

Criticisms from the audience include confusing situations due to missing scenes, sound quality and poor acting of some of the extras though worth noting is the low budget of this film (~18k) and the one-man film crew of Julian himself.

Please paste your comments about this film below, including other facts and trivia about it. If you missed it, you can contact us here to find out how you can see it again.

The New Blog

2007-03-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

A bit of history - the Penang Film Club, formerly known as the NONAY (No-Name-As-Yet) Film Club is a group of individuals who share the same common interest - watching and making films.
Welcome to the new blog!