Thoughts on Films

Episode 97: Let’s Talk about Whispers of Silence

Fikri welcomes Emily to the show to talk about ‘Whispers of Silence’ and some aspects of Burmese cinema. In the first half, they focus on the short film by Zaw Bo Bo Hein and Mg Bhone, a film released in 2018. They consider the text in its social, political and religious contexts. Subsequently, Emily expands on filmmaking in Myanmar and the experience of watching films in the country, considering the impact of censorship on filmmakers, and the role played by the Wathann Film Festival.

Episode 96: On Ang Lee and Hirokazu Koreeda (part 2)

Fikri and Thim Kian conclude their discourse on thoughts inspired by a discussion between Ang Lee and Hirokazu Koreeda. Thim Kian reflects on his personal meetings with Koreeda and Ang Lee, when he took part in film academies led by the both filmmakers. They also discuss how both have affected Thim Kian’s own filmmaking efforts, especially in areas related to editing and working with child actors, as well as the difference between fiction and non-fiction storytelling.

Episode 95: On Ang Lee and Hirokazu Koreeda (part 1)

Recorded in 2021, Fikri and Thim Kian sit down for a chat about a discussion between Ang Lee and Hirokazu Koreeda. Held at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival, it was one of their contributions to the We Are One: A Global Film Festival. Connecting it to their contexts, Fikri and Thim Kian consider the influence of Taiwanese and Japanese films and cinema culture on the Malaysian Chinese community and filmmakers. They also mull over Ang Lee’s experience of making international films, as well as his notion of time and space in their own works.

Episode 94: Let’s Talk About Penyalin Cahaya

Fikri and Nadia waxes lyrical about the Indonesian film, ‘Penyalin Cahaya’. A big winner at Festival Film Indonesia 2021, the Wregas Banuteja-directed film has been gaining traction on Netflix. In this spoiler-filled discussion, Nadia considers how the film works in a cultural sense, as well as its depictions of university life. Meanwhile, Fikri touches on the film’s bigger picture legal contexts, such as its interaction with aspects of the law, as well as recent controversies surrounding the film itself.

Episode 93: Slinging Back into Cinemas

Fikri gets Muz back on the mic for the first time in a long time, as they discuss their thoughts on watching ‘Spiderman: No Way Home’ in cinemas. The first part covers their respective treks to cinemas in India and Indonesia, their first time back in front of the silver screen for nearly two years. Subsequently, they touch on the film itself, with Muz excited about its connections to various cinematic universes and Fikri enthused by the film’s consideration of second chances and mental health, among others.

Episode 92: Selected Indonesian Films in 2021 (part 2)

The second of a two-parter features another three of the best of Indonesian cinema in 2021. Fikri and Nadia continue their verbal Venn diagram of films selected by The Jakarta Post and Festival Film Indonesia, settling on those they’ve seen. Touching on issues related to genre filmmaking and gender and sexuality, this concluding part reaches the end with ‘Arumi & Lidah Pocong’, ‘Yuni’ and ‘Paranoia’.

Episode 91: Selected Indonesian Films in 2021 (part 1)

This episode is the first of two parts, looking at selected films from Indonesia in 2021. We welcome a special guest, Nadia Syarifah, whose keen interest in contemporary Indonesian cinema will guide Fikri and their discussion of films pruned from a listing by the Jakarta Post and the winners at Festival Film Indonesia, focusing on ‘Ali dan Ratu Ratu Queens’, ‘Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas’ and ‘Nyengkuyung’.

Episode 90: The Craft of Prebet Sapu (part 2)

This is the second part of a spoiler-filled discussion with Muzzamar Rahman about his film. Having discussed the narrative of ‘Prebet Sapu’, Fikri and (the other) Muz discuss how important Kuala Lumpur is not just as the film’s background and context, but also as the third main character of the film itself. They also get into the bigger picture political subtext, and how comfortable Muz feels portraying the bigger picture political points as one of the film’s subtext.

Episode 89: The Craft of Prebet Sapu (part 1)

This spoiler-filled episode is an exclusive interview with Muzzamer Rahman about his film, ‘Prebet Sapu’. Fikri and (the other) Muz sit down for an in-depth discussion about the craft and narrative of his film. The first of two parts considers the film’s origins and the difficulties Muz faced in getting the story going. He also highlights the importance of the actors, Amerul Affendi and Lim Mei Fen, in shaping the film’s narrative progression, especially in balancing the ethnic discussion in ‘Prebet Sapu’ with other factors.

Episode 88: The Craft of Bebbra Mailin

88^th time’s the charm! This episode is a special recording of Bebbra Mailin discussing the craft of her scriptwriting and storytelling. Made during a session with film students, it follows a screening of three of her films: ‘Langad di Odu’, ‘Rapuh’ and ‘Ninavau’. Along the way, Bebbra considers the personal nature of her stories and how to refine them, why it's important to be honest in your storytelling, and the scripting of fiction- and fact-based narratives.