We Need a Resolution.

A friend of mine wrote something about the Malaysian movie scene in his blog and it triggered something in my head. Funny how that happens. ;)

Actually, I have talked about this, but I figured. Nyehh, let's just keep talking about it until someone does something about it. Savvy?

Read his post here.

See, in my opinion, the reason why the Malaysian movie scene can't be anymore than it already is, is because of our incessant need to preserve the minds of our younger generation and also to not pollute our culture."Kita bukan mat salleh, ingat boleh buat suke hati ke? Kita ni orang Melayu! Ada adat, ada budi bicara, ada sopan santun!" And it is that kind of thinking that put us here in the first place, and that place, is the crapper. It is this attitude that programs us to fall in love with cheap slapstick comedies such as Atoi or movies about fast cars or our oh-so-beloved rempits (oh, don't get me started on this.)

Secondly, the reason why we're so lagging behind in this industry is the fact that we've been inherently programmed to NOT think outside the box lest we be penalised. Think about it. We make a movie about politics- we get slapped with the ISA. We make a movie about sex- the chances of that movie making it to the silver screen in Malaysia is slim to none and let's face it, the government won't approve of anything with sex in it, unless it happens in Harian Metro or Kosmo! or Mastika. Sheeshh. We make a movie about religion - well, remember the late Yasmin Ahmad's "Muallaf"? 'Nuff said. Even Singapore thought that was a great movie. Muallaf opened in S'pore TWICE. Yup, twice. Oh no wait, they did screen it in Malaysia AFTER she passed away. Too little too late, my friends. Allah bless her soul.

It is this cheap appreciation for honest-to-God movies like these that get us nowhere in the eyes of the world. Because it's not only about movies. Think about it, if you can't appreciate topics such as politics, religion or sex in movies, what does that say about you as a human being? What does that say about us as a society? Are we the type of people who sweep everything under the carpet in hopes that no one ever brings it up again? Well, that's what we're showing everyone.

And please, stop harping on culture and adat sopan santun. We know our limits. We're matured enough to think about what's wrong and what's right. No, I'm not saying we're ALL saints. I'm just saying, don't be so quick to assume that every time a teenager watches Sex and the City, he/she is immediately going to try being promiscuous. Puh-lease. If someone wants to have sex/smoke/get drunk/wear skimpy clothes, it's not because of the movies. I can bet you that!

Come on, grow up.