ON Monday evening I was alerted to a wave of congratulatory messages sweeping Twittersphere touting the achievements of two Malaysian thespians and their sterling exploits overseas.
Oh dear, did I miss yet-another distinctly dowdy music awards show in far-away Krankistan , or some ultra-patriots poetry recital bash in that most democratically-challenged state of Tornadosia?
I grabbed one of our very own Red Tops (the one that claims to shed some bright light into your life) and there it was in full front-page self-patting Malaysia Boleh ecstasy.
No, it was not some tiny mosquito awards of nil consequence but THE…. Golden Horse Awards, Taiwan’s prestigious film awards held for the 50th time this year. The headlines screamed about the achievements of actress Yeo Yann Yann and film director Tsai Ming-liang deservingly showered with plaudits by the Chinese-language film fraternity, walking away with a couple of significant awards.
PM TWEET ALERT
Then I was alerted by my colleague Azam to the tweet of our busy Prime Minister who had just visited Tun Dr M in IJN. The PM, bless him, too joined in the chorus of “well done” tweets in praise of the duo.
Many others joined in as their achievements were given the fulsome “yea-Malaysians-win-some-awards overseas” treatment and going to great lengths mentioning their ties to their homeland.
Wait a minute – homeland? Pray tell….!
In the mould of; we all love a winner; some other nation too can lay claim to the pair as belonging to them, if not by reason of domicile, certainly by reason of residency as presenting them their entire professional growth and nurturing.
Lets find out first if the pair had enjoyed the pampering and largesse of grants or film funding from the likes of FINAS or some film-friendly budget (I could be wrong but if I am, please do correct me).
They left our shores eons ago to pursue their craft in foreign lands where their talents were honed within a more conducive administrative environment and certainly I would think – where social mores are rather less restrictive; dare I say, permissive?
To their credit, the pair always acknowledge their Malaysian identity without rancor. For that alone, I think this is where the film and arts community in this country should pull all the stops to leverage on their new-found fame to promote this country.
FAIR SINGAPORE?
Some sections of the Singapore media deserve credit, save for the Channel News Asia video report (see the video at the start) which unabashedly led its coverage with the claim of; “Our Yeo Yann Yann: - but we forgive them.
It cannot be denied though that the film bore the creative stamp of Singapore through and through – went to great lengths to point out that Tsai Ming-liang was a Malaysian-born, Taiwan-based director and that Yeo Yann Yann was similarly Malaysia-born though Singapore based plying her profession as an actress.
Tsai also made a plug of his home country when he referred to himself as a Malaysian Chinese who had the temerity to argue with the organizers, an action for which he thought would have caused him great grief. Instead, he won the great prize!
We may have a little more claim to Yeo Yann Yann as she co-starred in Yasmin Ahmad’s Mualaf. Further back, she has the movie Petaling Street Warriors to her credit. Try as hard as I might, (courtesy of both Waze and Google Earth) I could not find a single street name in Singapore bearing the name Petaling Street. So I assume (subject to someone telling me otherwise), that this was her other link to her homeland.
We no doubt sometimes go overboard in showering praise to our “found-fame-in-foreign-lands” brethren. I guess Talent Corp is mulling what to do next. Is FINAS thinking likewise?
Whatever the course of action, I really hope we douse the level of enthusiasm one notch and not rush to recommend the immediate award of one Datukship or other; not now at least!
So let’s not be so quick to claim this one that got away as the product of our toil.
_______________
RAZAK Chik will no doubt want to see the winning film Stray Dogs and Yann Yann in Ilo Ilo when both films do get screened here – in the original Chinese language.
Razak Chik
Tue Nov 26 2013
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.