Malaysian Gods

Amir Muhammad's latest movie Malaysian Gods has been passed by the Malaysian Film Censorship Board, after 3 weeks of deliberation!

This is good news as his last two movies Lelaki Komunis Terakhir (2006) and Apa Khabar Orang Kampung (2007) were banned from screening in Malaysia, but were featured in dozens of film festivals overseas including Berlin, London, Pusan and Buenos Aires. Both the documentaries touched on the role of communism in national history.

This experimental movie Malaysian Gods is meant to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of a giant anti-government demonstration that took place in Kuala Lumpur on 20 September, 1998. The demonstration was led by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who would be arrested at his home a few hours later.

TO REMEMBER
The 68-minute movie doesn't featured any actors or interviews, but instead consists of a journey through KL that traces the path of the demonstrators. Along the way, an unnamed narrator remembers the demonstration and also has observations about the buildings and people around him.

The director says: "I chose to commemorate this demonstration because it was a pivotal moment in Malaysian political consciousness. The decision to pass the movie is a relief. It shows that there is now more democratic space in Malaysian cinema. I hope this will encourage more people to tackle a greater diversity of subjects in film and video."

It was made for a shoestring budget of RM10,000 and was shot in one continuous take on a rainy day in Kuala Lumpur last year.

Why such a low budget? Amir says: "I had just co-directed Susuk which cost RM1.2 million. I wanted to go back to a smaller, more intimate scale of communication, and to show that you don't need a lot of money to tell a story."

As for the title, Amir explains: "We in Malaysia have a bad habit of treating our politicians like dewa-dewa (gods). So the title is meant as an ironic take on that. This movie is not a piece of propaganda that champions any particular politician, but is an expression from an ordinary member of the public."

The movie will screen for only one day (20 September, of course) at GSC I Utama. There are three screening times: 5pm, 7pm and 9pm and the director will introduce each show.

RESERVATION
Tickets are RM10 each and will NOT be sold via the cinema counter. It can be purchased at Da Huang Pictures online shop: http://www.shop.dahuangpictures.com

Online Payment
you can pay online with:
1. credit card
2. pospay
3. direct debit (malaysian bank)
4. paypal
5. money order / cheque

Cash Payment
If you wish to pay by cash at the front table on the screening day, please make your reservation by purchasing the ticket online, but choose the paying method "money order / cheque". Please come 30 minutes before the screenings start.

Online Booking dateline: 20TH SEPT 2008@12 Noon

*Walk in before screening are welcome*

Contact
For more information, kindly contact Nikki Tok from Da Huang Pictures at +603-7877 3014/1064 or email at shop@dahuangpictures.com