Everyone remembers the historic 9 May 2018 general election.
When through the ballot box the people of Malaysia voted out the ruing party for the first time in 60 years and ushered in the opposition party Pakatan Harapan for the first time, to be in power.
Few had predicted that this would happen. In the days leading up to the election, a team of filmmakers decided to document the days leading up to the election. After 9th May, they realized that they had several hours of footage that can be used for a documentary.
Here are five facts about the documentary that you must know before watching.
1. 90 hours of footage
The filmmakers did not know whether Pakatan was going to win or not. What they know is that the 2018’s election was a crucial election, particularly the issues that surround Barisan Nasional. “It was a David Vs Goliath fight, worth documenting,” said Marina Mahathir, the executive producer.
After 9 May, the filmmakers realized that they had 90 hours of footage. Marina Mahathir, who was involved in the filmmaking, said that the footage should be shared with the world to see. Viewers will be shown exclusive never before seen footage.
2. Oscar-winning director assisted in the documentary
Ruby Yang, who won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject in 2007 lend her skills in M for Malaysia, serving as the creative producer. She mentored the team in her Hong Kong studio by trimming the 90 hours of footage and 30 hours of additional interviews to make the documentary look like through the angle of power and democracy.
3, Tun M’s family was involved in the filmmaking
M for Malaysia was directed by Inneza Rousille, Tun M’s granddaughter. His daughter Marina served as the executive producer. Throughout the course of filming the team extensively interview Tun Mahathir, our first lady, politicians, the public and voters.
4. It’s not only about the election
The documentary goes beyond than just over the election by going through history. Among the topics discussed were Ops Lalang, where over 100 people, from activists to politicians were detained, including Lim Kit Siang and his son Lim Guang Eng, who is the current finance minister in Tun M’s cabinet. Tun M and Kit Siang, through an unlikely partnership, joined together to topple the previous government.
4. It has an original soundtrack!
Being the first-ever Malaysian made documentary, Los Angeles based composer Rendra Zamawi joined the team to compose an original soundtrack for the documentary. The soundtrack included a song named Bermula Kita sung by internationally renowned star Yuna!
M for Malaysia will be screened for a very limited time only at 37 cinemas across the country. They are screening in TGV, MBO and GSC.
Are you interested in seeing the documentary? Let us know in the comments!
Header Source: The Guardian | BBC | Malay Mail
