nst replies 3 - of humility and defiance
Third comment
It is a well-known fact that our appetite for international renown and recognition are enormous and we are more than willing to go to the extremes in order to obtain such recognition from others - pouring lots of money to pursue mind-boggling activities such as cooking the largest this, painting the largest that etc.
However, under certain circumstances, we choose to refuse such international recognition bestowed upon us; we then tell ourselves that we do not require acknowledgement from others to know that our decisions and actions are right and that we can figure out what's good for our well-being for ourselves without the need for anyone to 'meddle' in our 'internal affairs.' Any further attempts to comment on our actions or decisions are simply labeled as anything from 'external interference' to 'neo-colonialism.'
Therefore, on one hand we graciously accepts such recognition and acknowledgement but on the other hand, we simply shrugs them off simply as an affront to our independence and sovereignty.
Although our defiance and steadfastness to stand up for what we think is right are commendable, at times this streak of independence have made us lose touch with reality.
It could certainly be argued that just because the foreign critics thought Sepet was good, it doesn't necessarily needs to be so. But considering the number of prestigious foreign awards Sepet have received, it's quite puzzling to find the local movie scene to be so antagonistic towards Sepet's win.
In the era of globalization, we cannot afford to go on about our lives without any care for what other people say about us. We need to realize that as the geographical and social borders around us dissapear, our playing field not only encompasses the local movie scene but the international movie scene.
And for Sepet to win these foreign awards, it tells something about the acceptance of the international movie scene towards the movie. It also means that Sepet has achieved a certain standard of excellence and on par with other international movies.
Perhaps the international juries are able to look beyond the superficial elements of the film - the lavish sets and props, the intricate costumes, the dazzling special effects, the huge budget - and focus more on the essence of the movie i.e. the real story the moviemaker wishes to tell.
Besides, one must always remember that two wrongs does not make one right; we can go on and claim that our oppositions to Sepet are justified until the cows come home but if almost the whole world takes up the opposite view, we should at least try to take into account their point of view.
After all, isn't humility just as important as confidence?
True, it won international awards but how well do foreigners know and understand our culture? It is the same when we watch American movies and deduce that they are portrayals of American families. I have nothing against independent movies but Sepet was not that great and it is time we understood that just because foreign critics thought it was good, does not mean that it was.
Truth be told, I was smilling to myself when I read this bit of the letter and I have come to realized that we Malaysians are a funny and paradoxical bunch.
It is a well-known fact that our appetite for international renown and recognition are enormous and we are more than willing to go to the extremes in order to obtain such recognition from others - pouring lots of money to pursue mind-boggling activities such as cooking the largest this, painting the largest that etc.
However, under certain circumstances, we choose to refuse such international recognition bestowed upon us; we then tell ourselves that we do not require acknowledgement from others to know that our decisions and actions are right and that we can figure out what's good for our well-being for ourselves without the need for anyone to 'meddle' in our 'internal affairs.' Any further attempts to comment on our actions or decisions are simply labeled as anything from 'external interference' to 'neo-colonialism.'
Therefore, on one hand we graciously accepts such recognition and acknowledgement but on the other hand, we simply shrugs them off simply as an affront to our independence and sovereignty.
Although our defiance and steadfastness to stand up for what we think is right are commendable, at times this streak of independence have made us lose touch with reality.
It could certainly be argued that just because the foreign critics thought Sepet was good, it doesn't necessarily needs to be so. But considering the number of prestigious foreign awards Sepet have received, it's quite puzzling to find the local movie scene to be so antagonistic towards Sepet's win.
In the era of globalization, we cannot afford to go on about our lives without any care for what other people say about us. We need to realize that as the geographical and social borders around us dissapear, our playing field not only encompasses the local movie scene but the international movie scene.
And for Sepet to win these foreign awards, it tells something about the acceptance of the international movie scene towards the movie. It also means that Sepet has achieved a certain standard of excellence and on par with other international movies.
Perhaps the international juries are able to look beyond the superficial elements of the film - the lavish sets and props, the intricate costumes, the dazzling special effects, the huge budget - and focus more on the essence of the movie i.e. the real story the moviemaker wishes to tell.
Besides, one must always remember that two wrongs does not make one right; we can go on and claim that our oppositions to Sepet are justified until the cows come home but if almost the whole world takes up the opposite view, we should at least try to take into account their point of view.
After all, isn't humility just as important as confidence?
posted by wanaimran at
4:43 PM
1 Comments:
Well written posts. I sincerely hope that, as you mentioned, a new, young generation of Malaysians are rising up beyond the divided racial spheres that have been cast in our society both during and even now aftre our colonial past, in order to forge our country together in this increasingly globally competitive world. [Here, all Malaysians have a role to try to resist racially divisive thoughts, eg stereotypes, and to engage each other more actively in common interests and goals]
And as you pointed out in this post, our country at times seems 'blind' to its faults and refuses to aknowledge valid criticisms that otherwise make our country a better place.
Let us then as young Malaysians strive to bring about this vision of a better and more beautiful Malaysia.
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