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Interview with Malaysian film maker: U Wei Bin Haji Sari
conducted by film critic Lalit Rao on 19/07/2004 in New Delhi
during 6th Cinefan Asian Film Festival 2004
Lalit Rao: How would you define your new film “Swing my
swing high, darling” ?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: I feel that one way of looking at my film
“Swing my swing high, darling” is that it tells a story
of people who are angry with their fate. Some of the people just
follow their fate like the old man in the film. Broadly speaking,
my film deals with how ordinary people deal with their fate.
Lalit Rao: This film is different from your other films. Why this
change of style ?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: There have always been similarities and
differences between my films. I think that one film is same and
other are just variations.
Lalit Rao: What is the current state of Malaysian film industry ?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: Malaysian film industry is very small in
size. We produce about 15 films annually. There are 2 kinds of
film making in Malaysia. On one hand we have commercial films
which are the usual song and dance stuff. On other hand there are
films which question life, reveal life. The audience for such
kind of cinema is limited. Malaysian film goers prefer escapist
cinema. Even producers want to make more of such kind of films.
It is therefore difficult for me to make films even more
difficult to make good films as films are an expensive medium.
Lalit Rao: How good has been the response of your films in
various International Film Festivals ?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: My films are more popular at International
film festivals. Festival goers have been receptive of my work.
But they are not the majority. Festival audience is not mass
audience. International film festivals have provided a window for
my films to be shown abroad.
Lalit Rao: What has been the role of Mayalsian film government in
the promotion of Malaysian cinema ?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: Malaysian government is slowly becoming
aware of cinema’s role. They are trying to assist cinema by
helping filmmakers to make their films. They provide finance,
easy permit to shoot. There is even more accessibility to shoot
in Malaysia. Malaysian government is trying to be more open about
censorship. It is also helping filmmakers to exhibit their films.
Malyasian government is giving indications that it is going to
play a bigger role. I am optimistic by the signals they are
giving.
Lalit Rao: What are your views on co production ?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: Film making is becoming more expensive day
by day. I am of the view that co production helps. It is a well
known fact that east and west are collaborating together to
produce good films. Malaysian government must also try this
method of making films. Co production is a result of
understanding of two forces.
Lalit Rao: How are young Malaysian film makers making their films
?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: Young malaysian filmmakers are lucky enough
as Digital video is accessible to them. It is much easier for
them to get in cinema. Digital video does not intimidate these
young film makers.
Lalit Rao: What are your current projects ? Are you working on
some film lately ?
U Wei Bin Haji Sari: Well, it is in pre pre production stage with
Irish and Australian prodcuers. It is a film set in Borneo.
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