Retrospective 3: Histories of Resistance

10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka (2007)

This documentary chronicles the events that culminated in the Malaya- wide ‘Hartal’ day of protest against the undemocratic Federation of Malaya Constitutional Proposals devised by the British Colonial Government and the UMNO, and the rise of the people’s democratic movement in Malaya, ten years before Merdeka.

• Film Duration: 36 minutes
• Country: Malaysia
• Film Language: English
• Film Subtitles: Malay

Director

Fahmi Reza

Fahmi Reza is political activist, graphic designer, street artist and documentary filmmaker who uses art to protest against corruption in Malaysia. He won the “Most Outstanding Human Rights Film” award at the 2007 Freedom Film Fest. Most recently, his satirical image of Malaysian prime minister as a clown in protest of the financial scandals the PM was involved in went viral in Southeast Asia and has become an icon of anti-corruption in Malaysia. Fahmi Reza also posted the image on Twitter in protest of the frequent usage of the Sedition Act in Malaysia.

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Al-Fatehah Memali (2009)

The film portrays the journey of singer-songwriters, Black and Meor, trying to comprehend a massacre that happened in 1985 in Kg. Memali, Kedah. 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.

• Film Duration: 30 minutes
• Country: Malaysia
• Film Language: Malay
• Film Subtitles: N/A

Director

Rahmat Haron

He is a professional drifter, a super poseur, a fake quasi wanderer and a wannabe of too many things. He is still studying in universe, majoring on life.

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Kisah AyahKu (2016)

A daughter tries to connect with her father who seemingly leads an ordinary life but in fact was detained without trial from 1968 to 1974, under the Internal Security Act for his involvement in the Labour Party which was subsequently outlawed because of its pro-communist leanings. The film also shows his life after detention.

• Film Duration: 24 minutes
• Country: Malaysia
• Film Language: Mandarin
• Film Subtitles: English

Director

Ashleigh Lim

Ashleigh Lim is a Visual Effects Consultant at a global communication company.
She directed her first short documentary film, Kisah Ayahku, based on her father’s past as a detainee without trial from 1968 to 1974 under Malaysia’s former Internal Security Act. Her film won Best Malaysian Film at FreedomFilmFest 2016.

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