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Amir Muhammad had finished shooting MALAYSIAN GODS, previously titled "Do You Remember the 20th Day of September". The film was launched in March and shot in June. The film is made with form of "city tour", about several things that happened in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.. The film is now in the post-production stage, where Amir is writing the final script of narration.

The film is shot in one continuous take of 59 minutes. The shooting took three days. Out of the three days of shoot, Amir selected the second day shoot, which was raining the whole time, and the rain reached its peak when the tour reached final location. Shooting with him was Albert Hue, the cinematographer he worked together in two of his previous films, "The Last Communist" and "Village People Radio Show".

Since both his previous film had been banned, there is much speculation on the censorship of new "Malaysian Gods", which the topic is also controversial and much more recent. However, Amir Muhammad is being quite optimistic about the film.

More info on: http://www.malaysiangods.dahuangpictures.com

Malaysian Gods

2007
Language: Malay
Directed by: Amir Muhammad
Duration: 61 mins

Synopsis:
On 20 September 1998 Anwar Ibrahim, recently sacked as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, headed a public rally of thousands of people that marched through Kuala Lumpur while demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister, his former mentor. The demonstrators ranged from 20,000 to 80,000 depending on who was doing the counting. A few hours later Anwar would be arrested.

Director Statement:
I want to talk about a very recent event in Malaysian history, a time of contentious political divide but also a moment of camaraderie because for the first time in recent memory, various disparate opposition and civil-society forces could galvanise into a positive force. The fact that it was a short-lived movement is also interesting to examine. By taking the form of a "city tour" this documentary essay ironically invites us to view history as if it were a single unbroken journey; the voice-over will provide a kind of counterpoint, as it will muse on both visible and invisible markers. As with my previous works I am certainly not interested in interviewing politicians or professional pundits. Much like "Russian Ark" it will be shot in one take, a procedure that will take a few rehearsals. But unlike it, it will take place outdoors, where the sun and breeze and sights act as indicators of a certain freedom and mobility. The jazz music that will accompany it will add a fun, improvisational flavour.

Director: Amir Muhammad
DOP: Albert Hue
Photographer: Danny Lim

Amir Muhammad
Amir Muhammad is possibly one of the funniest filmmaker in the world --- Or at least, the funniest Muslim filmmaker in the world.

Amir was born on December 5, 1972 in Kuala Lumpur. He has a Law degree but does not use it. He has been writing for Malaysian print media since the age of 14. "that says more about the standard of newspapers here than it does about my own writing!", Amir said.

In 2000, he wrote and directed Malaysia's first DV feature, LIPS TO LIPS. He then make 6HORTS, a compilation of 6 essay film, BIG DURIAN, which was in Sundance, TOKYO MAGIC HOUR, THE YEARS OF LIVING VICARIOUSLY, THE LAST COMMUNIST, and VILLAGE PEOPLE RADIO SHOW. Both his THE LAST COMMUNIST and
VILLAGE PEOPLE RADIO SHOW were banned in Malaysia. Not that all his previous films were pass, in fact he had never send them for censorship. Hence, none of Amir Muhammad's films had been theatrically released in Malaysia.

He is now working on " Malaysian Gods". On that day, Anwar Ibrahim, who had just been sacked as the deputy prime minister, was leading a thousands-strong rally that called for then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's resignation. Anwar was arrested a few hours after. Queen Elizabeth was also in town for the Commonwealth Games.

"The film would be a one-shot walking tour through Dataran Mederka, it would show the landmark architectures of Kuala Lumpur and it would boost the tourism of Malaysia." Amir said.

FILMOGRAPHY:
* Lips to Lips (2000)
* The Big Durian (2003) - Special citation, Dragons and Tigers Award in 2004
Vancouver International Film Festival; Special mention, New Asian Currents
in 2003 Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
* The Year of Living Vicariously (2005)
* Tokyo Magic Hour (2005)
* The Last Communist (Lelaki komunis terakhir) (2006)
* Village People Radio Show (2007)
* Susuk (2007)
*"Do You Remember The 20th Day Of September?

Get Amir Muhammad DVD here!