NEW and available: 12 Malaysian social films to screen in your community

After the 19th edition of the FreedomFilmFest was launched in Petaling Jaya and showcased on the big screen for the first time since the pandemic, we are now taking our stories nationwide. These stories, of young indigenous women from the Orang Asli villages in Peninsular Malaysia, of the impact of discriminatory citizenship laws against children born overseas to Malaysian mothers and of teachers who overcame obstacles during the pandemic are concurrently being made available for our partners; among others.

CSOs, educators and campaigners can now use these films for screenings in your community, classroom, or for collective action.

Here are the 12 Malaysian social films available

Anak Ibu, Anak Malaysia one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

ANAK IBU, ANAK MALAYSIA (I, TOO, AM MALAYSIAN)

Director: Elroi Yee
Duration: 15 mins

This short film is about a mother’s years-long struggle to pass on her Malaysian citizenship to her daughter. Her struggle brings her from the courts, through Malaysia’s bureaucracy, to her hometown in Sungkai. The film sheds light on how Malaysia’s gender-discriminatory citizenship laws deny thousands of children the right to be truly Malaysian, and the heavy toll it takes on families.

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Baliu Kano Kai one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

BALIU KANO KAI | WILAYAH ADAT PUNAN BA (ANCESTRAL DOMAIN OF THE PUNAN BA)

Director: Gebril Atong & Albert Bansa
Duration: 20 mins

When the land belonging to the Punan Ba community in Belaga Sarawak were licensed to corporations to conduct logging and to use the land for plantation without consent from the local Orang Asal community, Gebril Atong and his community acted in defence of their ancestral land. This practice has gone on for a long time where the local indigenous people were not properly compensated in exchange for their resources. Is this in fact a new form of colonialism?

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Can't Run, Can't Hide one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

CAN’T RUN, CAN’T HIDE

Director: Umashankari Yomarakuro
Duration: 20 mins

Imagine sleepless nights caused by thundering noises, smelling foul chemical smell while you are at school, or seeing factories mushrooming in your once serene neighbourhood. This is the reality of Kampung Sungai Manggis and Kuala Langat residents as their once peaceful neighbourhoods are being invaded by heavy industries. Having lived there for 4 generations, their cries have fallen on deaf ears of the local and state authorities.

Empangan Nenggiri: Suara Bantahan Orang Asli is one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

EMPANGAN NENGGIRI: SUARA BANTAHAN ORANG ASLI (NENGGIRI DAM: PROTEST VOICES OF THE ORANG ASLI)

Director: Shafie Dris
Duration: 11 mins

The Nenggiri Dam is to be built on native customary land belonging to the Orang Asli community in Gua Musang at Kelantan, Malaysia. The government and TNB claimed that the majority of the community had agree to relocate and for the dam to be constructed. This film gives a voice to the Orang Asli who oppose the construction of this dam.

Fafa: Perjuangan yang tak Didendang is one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

FAFA: PERJUANGAN YANG TAK DIDENDANG (THE UNKNOWN STRUGGLE OF FAFA)

Director: Amirul Ramthan
Duration: 20 mins

The film follows Fafa, who faces discrimination from her surrounding community due to her mental health struggles with schizophrenia. From a young age, she not only had to struggle with the strange voices inside her head but also with the voices of people around her who often do not understand her condition. This consciousness has made Fafa voice out more strongly to raise awareness about mental disabilities in our country.

Grey Scale one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

GREY SCALE

Director: Evelyn Teh
Duration: 20 mins

Told through the eyes of a single elderly woman, Grey Scale is a story about living alone and growing old in a gentrifying neighbourhood. During the prolonged pandemic lockdown, new challenges forced her to adapt to the rapidly changing world around her. The story presents the quiet struggles among the elderly in their quest towards independent and dignified aging.

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Jiwa Pendidik one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

JIWA PENDIDIK (THE SOUL OF A TEACHER)

Director: Rahmah Pauzi
Duration: 20 mins

How does a veteran teacher help prepare the first batch of pandemic online-learning students to sit for the SPM exams (Malaysian Certificate of Education) in the under-resourced Perimbun Secondary School? Teacher Rusmiyana and other veteran teachers find the strength to learn and teach virtually, and passionately overcome obstacles. This a film about hope and determination in an aging institution sidelined within Malaysian society.

Klinik Ku Hutan is one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

KLINIK KU HUTAN (THE FOREST, MY CLINIC)

Producer: Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli
Duration: 14 mins

Ignoring taboos, a jungle walk turns into despair for two young Orang Asli women, and into healing as they reconnect with their traditional values and identity.

Support Us: Apa Kata Orang Asli

Peluang Kedua one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

PELUANG KEDUA (SECOND CHANCE)

Director: Mohammad Alshatri
Duration: 15 mins

A documentary film that reveals the concept of a second chance through the story of Pannir, a death row prisoner who wants to contribute to society through his younger sister Angelia and other family members. Pannir founded a welfare organization called ‘Sebaran Kasih’ (Spread Love Malaysia) while being incarcerated in Singapore. It proposes the idea that everyone deserves a second chance regardless of their past choices in life

Rahsia RImba is one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

RAHSIA RIMBA (SECRET OF THE FOREST GUARDIAN)

Producer: Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli
Duration: 5 mins

Kedek journeys into the forest and connects with her ancestral past and indigenous identity. She gathers strength from her ancestors and the spirits of the forest to defend her community.

Support Us: Apa Kata Orang Asli

Rasa dan Asa is one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

RASA DAN ASA (FLAVOURS, FEELINGS & HOPES)

Director: Okui Lala & Nasrikah
Duration: 27 mins

Indonesian domestic workers Ningrum and Binti could not return home to their families when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Together with other domestic workers from PERTIMIG (Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers Association in Malaysia), they find support and hope by learning to document their lives on their handphones. In their own voice, they share their experience working and living in Malaysia during the lockdown. Rasa dan Asa celebrates their solidarity and persistence to advocate for their rights.

Selai Kayu Yek is one of the 12 Malaysian social films available to be screened at your community

SELAI KAYU YEK (ROOTS OF MY LAND)

Producer: Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli
Duration: 11 mins

A young Orang Asli woman meets a famous Orang Asli Youtuber to expose the encroachment of her family’s ancestral land. Together, they find their voice and speak out.

Support Us: Apa Kata Orang Asli

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