Questioning the myths of origin : Amir Muhammad's historical film about the Communist Party of Malaya and Malaysian independence / Wan Aida Wan Yahaya

Wan Yahaya, Wan Aida (2008) Questioning the myths of origin : Amir Muhammad's historical film about the Communist Party of Malaya and Malaysian independence / Wan Aida Wan Yahaya. Jurnal Skrin Malaysia, 5. pp. 139-150. ISSN 1823-1020

Abstract

Malaysian independent filmmaker Amir Muhammad has become
known internationally for his witty and satirical documentaries on Malaysia and Malaysian society. One of Amir's latest works, Lelaki Komunis Terakhir ('The Last Communist', 2006), was well received internationally. However, the film has been banned in Malaysia. This documentary recounts the life of exiled Communist Party of Malaya leader, Chin Peng, now living in exile in Southern
Thailand. The film was inspired by Chin Peng's autobiography, 'Alias Chin Peng: my side of history' (2003). In his film Amir juxtaposes Chin Peng's life (past and present) against scenes of modern day Malaysia, simultaneously exploring issues of social development and progress, and notions of loyalty to the state and to a cause. The paper has a number of aims. Firstly it examines
the circumstances of the banning of the film and the reasons or justifications given for the ban. Secondly it highlights and explores a main contention put forward by the filmmaker, the need to reexamine the role of the much maligned Communist Party of Malaya in the Malaysian independence movement in the period leading to independence from the British, and particularly the function and contribution of Chin Peng in this period, an aspect of Malaysian history that has been suppressed since independence in 1957. Thirdly it examines Amir Muhammad's alternative documentary style, and his mode of raising issues about contemporary Malaysia by via processes of ironic commentary and subtle juxtaposition.

Metadata

Item Type: Article
Creators:
Creators
Email / ID Num.
Wan Yahaya, Wan Aida
UNSPECIFIED
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > Motion pictures > Motion picture industry > Malaysia
P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > Motion pictures > Historical films
Divisions: Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam > Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation
Journal or Publication Title: Jurnal Skrin Malaysia
UiTM Journal Collections: Others > Jurnal Skrin Malaysia
ISSN: 1823-1020
Volume: 5
Page Range: pp. 139-150
Keywords: Historical film, Malaysian film, Malaysian filmmakers
Date: 2008
URI: https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/11628
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11628

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