ISA Detainees Documentary?
As Hindraf comes back into the spotlight a little bit, we hope there will be some progress in the courts.
On Samy and now Donald (?!), I suppose whatever brickbats and bashing they get for being a flip flop and too little too late are all eminently well deserved. After all, they did not stand up when it counted.
Nonetheless, I suppose that when I think of the bigger picture - ie, securing the unconditional release of the 5 detainees plus all languishing in Kamunting - I welcome any call by any politician to secure their release.
Let’s see if those responsible are listening.
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I spoke recently at a small function to promote the Freedom Film Fest. I’m no filmmaker, but this random idea popped in my head to do a short documentary on the families of the Hindraf 5.
It’s still very much just a passing idea, one that may not see much fruition, but if we can think of a compelling angle to take on this subject, a fresh and effective approach, and a good production team, it might be worth a little bit of thought. Any suggestions?
hello… if you think it will get to see the light of day, i’ll round up some people to talk to you about it.
Discrimination69,
Hi Nat,
I think doing a film on on ISA detainees is a great idea.
My suggestion is do it from an angle showing how draconian and unjust the repulsive law is, explain the history of ISA, the past applications like Operation Lallang, the families sufferings from all angles, show how a persons’ life and his families are affected, the testimonies of past ISA detainees (if they are not bound by OSA ), the physical and mental tortures the detainees go through. We have members in government now to share ISA experiences.
You know how Christians give testimonies that change other peoples’ lives when they see it or hear it.
Finally show BN that ISA does not work, they create martyrs instead and more hardened after a detention experience. When a person is filled with the conviction of TRUTH and feel victimised, nothing can change that. NO prison can change a person unless through self realisation and repentance because of guilt and conscience.
Keep it simple for any layman to understand what is ISA.
Try using Wilders idea in FITNA to show how ISA arrests are made in wee hours of the morning. Show how ISA detainees are interrogated like animals. Show the family visits or re-enact the scenes through cartoons.
Many I suppose do not really know what is ISA . This documentary would be an eye opener to many to garner support and mobilise the masses.
Now Nat you have a project in hand, but sorry no kickbacks, because it is done with conscience and not by BN!!
Wonderful idea for max impact in the society! We should aim for a Youtube-style production for fast result and, most importantly, easy dissemination.
The end-goal shd be beyond releasing the detainees, but setting the message That ISA is terrible therefore shd be abolished.
If there are multiple productions, we can have a fund for competition.
I think it’s a very good idea to make a film from beginning to the end on ISA, and put it in YouTube to be spread around the globe. The gov’t refuse to bulge, hence let the public & international pressure decide for them
Hi Nat - I think it is a brilliant idea - given the fact that the birth of ISA is for a altogether separate reason which have degenerated to today convenient tool to silence government critics.
The story line should start with the historical fact of why ISA is introduced and try to probe the rationale for that period in time and gauge its effectiveness. Then it should progress to 20 years down the road then 30 moving towards this era.
It should be able to show the audience the rationale behind each invoking of the ISA and it should also look behind the scene at the condition of the camp, how the detainees are being treated - a commented from a Human Rights perspective.
It should also show the increase in frequency invoking of the act and rationalize whether it is justifiable.
Probably the ending should be a rally call to either continue with its usage or to repeal / abolish the act altogether.
Hopefully this documentary could have international appeal and galvanize all and sundry to pressure the government of the day to abolish the act.
any way to capture some shots of the inside of Kamunting? Or producing sketches based on eyewitness accounts. No one knows what it looks like - often harder to sympathise with the ISA detainees.
i’ve been waiting for some kind of documentary on the ISA as so far it seems like a ghost we have little knowledge of. It’s hard to fight against something we know so little of.
How about getting past detainees to talk about what they go through? Most of us are pretty much clueless on conditions of the prison, the rehab process, the mind washing and whatever else goes on.
Another angle could be what the families go through and how it impacts the family - spouses, children, parents, business.
Out of the 5, not all were directly involved in the movement, not very original I guess?? you creative people will do a good job, without doubt!!
Hey man,
I think it’s actually a pretty good idea to do film on the matter - the Freedom Film Fest is a great platform for stories of this sort. Though if the intention is to stimulate an effective emotional response from a wide spectrum of people, regardless of them being politically aware or merely indifferent, I think the focus should be more on the struggle or multi-level torture that’s inflicted on the families as opposed to a greater emphasis on the analytical breakdown of the ISA. It’ll reach out to people who are generally afraid or ignorant when they start hearing political terms, and if they are given an unpretentious, unforgiving look on the lives of the very normal people who are affected when their loved ones get sent away for poor reasons. It’ll spurn them to ask their own questions; a result much better than if they were fed information from a source they might consider bias.
Just a thought.
nat: haha, i recognise that e-mail! enough with thoughts - if we do this project, are you in?? :D
In addition, I would hope for somebody to start working on the same for DSAI. This would be a cool one as the story continues. The best is yet to come. Be careful what we wish for as it may indeed come true.
UMNO/BN in general is in huru-hara now therefore best time to take advantage of the situation I mean in way of subtle and yet grace. Only one person can do it as he was able to find common grounds between the two “hard cores”, had everybody sit down compromised and worked together. I see this as right contemplation and wisdom the positive effects of incarceration. Justice will ultimately prevail.
Penang and Selangor are showing activities with warm receptions from the public. So far so good, I would love for somebody to provide a 100-day report in June. Who says opposition can’t govern?
Belum cuba belum tahu sudah cuba baru tahu.
Mau seribu daya tak mau seribu dalih.
Keep it up Pakatan Rakyat