Malaysian Gods

2009 | 70 mins | English subs | Documentary

Producer: Amir Muhammad & Tan Chui Mui

Director: Amir Muhammad

Writer: Amir Muhammad

Camera: Shan

Editor: MS Prem Nath

Synopsis

The title of this documentary, banned in its home country, refers to the unhealthy way in which Malaysians look at their (currently ruling) politicians. Amid Muhammad goes back to 20 September 1998, the birth of the first protest movement in his country. The 'Reformasi' started after the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who then organised a demonstration and demanded that the prime minister resign. This resulted in his arrest; he had allegedly been guilty of corruption and (very taboo) homosexual acts. In chapters, preceded by often ironic inter-titles with historic information, Muhammad looks back on the last 10 years. Just as in his previous films, he does not use archival footage, but makes interviews at locations that were important then - not with those directly involved, but with ordinary people who live there and work there. In Tamil, the language of the smallest ethnic minority, he goes looking for what has changed since.

Festival

22nd Singapore International Film Festival

45th Pesaro Singapore International Film Festival

Bangkok Singapore International Film Festival

24 Mar del Plata IFF - INCAA, Buenos Aires

39th International Film Festival Rotterdam

Pompidou Cinema 2010