Gubra is a real wreck
By ZAINOL ABIDEEN
The current trend in Malaysia’s Malay film industry is to come up with outrageous and provocative story lines such as the ones produced by Yasmin Ahmad, the current “hot” film director in the media limelight.
Consider, by contrast, the films of Professor Razak Mohaideen: while often considered to be run-of-the-mill love stories, they are still not as crude and corrupted as the values being bandied about by Yasmin Ahmad. It is not to say that such films are better for the development of social comment or beneficial to the public in the long run, but we can still watch his films without feeling revolted by the crass behaviour of its main characters.
In a review, novelist Faisal Tehrani exposes all the crude behaviour being expounded by Gubra, where Islamic values and traditional norms practised by Muslims go down the drain in a blasphemous film which ought to be trashed into the dustbins of the nation!
I saw Sepet and wasn’t really impressed by the storyline. The film extols sexual connotations and is an attempt to introduce an atmosphere of loose morals into traditional Malaysian family life.
True, such things are now becoming common in families that are not practising good family values according to the tenets of Islamic and Malay cultures.
To push such screwed-up values as something worth watching shows the sordid agenda being brainwashed into Malaysian cinemagoers under the guise of expressions of the current Malaysian lifestyle!
I support Faisal Tehrani 100 percent in his condemnation of the low-class fare being pushed by this film!
Gubra is not worth the time and effort you spend in going to watch such crap! What the hell is FINAS doing?
I think they should ban this movie! To those who like such filth , well to each their own, but to me this is pure B.S.!
I would rather watch a P. Ramlee blockbuster and black-&-white movies that have better social messages, such as Semerah Padi, Anak ku Sazali, Hang Tuah, Antara Dua Darjat, Ibu Mertua Ku, and so on.
Making films to help mould a good Malaysian society which is based on good religious values and social foundations would be a boon to the future of this country. Through a good supportive film media , we can help the nation be a better place for all, but to push through a loose, screwed-up agenda such as this filth deserves all the condemnations we can come up with!
–
ZAINOL ABIDEEN is a contributing writer for theCICAK.
Zainol is a Malaysian Muslim sharing his views and news about his faith, his nation, and anything else concerning his life and his society. He reserves a tit-for-tat policy. Be warned; speak only if you have something good to say, otherwise stay silent. It’s best for you. Visit his site.
If you liked this article, here are some related posts:
Responses || Discussion || Debates || Commentaries
Post your opinion
Does your comment encourage responsible, intelligent discussion?
All comments are moderated for impersonations and defamatory, racially, sexually and religiously offensive content.
By the way... since you're sharing your comments, get paid for it.
- The rise of left-wing politics in Malaysia
- Fuel price hike in Malaysia: Bane or blessing?
- Malaysia’s first LGBT weblog
- Kick the overspending, underachieving habit, Malaysia
- The best thing Pak Lah has done: Drastic reduction of petrol subsidies
- FFF2008 announces competition winners!
- Different races all loving each other?
- Part 2, Analyzing Malaysian Parties: Should DAP compromise its principles?
- Why I’m for Tibet being part of China, and against the Chinese Communist Party’s actions
- Is Islam, Judaism and Christianity still relevant today?
Subscribe via RSS
Latest News
Register to receive the best articles, comments, and competitions in your inbox!
Part 1: Creating a new manifesto for Malaysia
Malaysia has a government that treats the constitution as nothing more than the toilet paper that adorns your bathrooms. They run roughshod on it, treating it like joke, a document of whimsy and games. Thus, as a result...Young Malaysians, here are ten steps to become better citizens
A very basic list of things that twenty-something’s can do as citizens.The hunt for subversives: Malaysian Government arrest Bersih, Hindraf activists and lawyers
Does the "Malaysian way" condone detention without trial, arbitrary arrests, tear gas, water cannons, violence and lies?Adultery does not justify battery
How far would you go if your lover cheated on you? Be honest.
Comment of the week
I defend my right as a Malaysian to talk about anything that concerns Malaysia.
Powered by FireStats
skema betul.
you and faisal have your own taste of film. that’s your opinion. anyways, I don’t recall the cicak being rotten tomatoes or IMDB.
no point further arguing the artistic value or moral implications. everyone has already hardened their hearts and minds.
anyways, i’m not sure how “good religious values” would be a boon to the country. explain?
Was this a good comment?
Wow, very passionate, and thumbs up to the Editor for allowing an alternative view besides the liberal and rebellious that we have become so used to.
And what’s this fascination about films needing to have ‘messages’? The best films are those that potray real life, those that are an extension of what we are so used to, but being acted out by someone else. Gives a whole new perspective to the life we know.
No message. Just a show, only. Chill brader. We don’t watch P.Ramlee and try to extract a message saying we should live like Bujang Lapok. Don’t look too deep into things, show only.
No ‘extolling’ of virtues, no ‘agenda’, no ‘filth’, no ‘moulds’ : a film is just a film : entertainment value only. If it makes you think, that’s a bonus, not a prerequisite.
And the best thing is; tak suka, jangan tengok-la. Bukan macam tak tau filem Yasmin Ahmad memang ‘kontroversi’ sikit. Dah tengok dah, marah pulak. Buat seksa diri-sendiri aje. Kesian.
Relax, show only.
Was this a good comment?
Undeniably that which was portrayed in both films are realistic pictures of what Malaysian lives are today. I am not saying that everyone is like that but there are people who are like that today. I support Yasmin in her showing of that lifestyle in her films. At least she recognizes that and is not embarassed by the fact. You will not fool anybody by hiding that and only showing pious goody two-shoes in a movie. After all, moviegoers are there to be entertained, not there for religious education.
Was this a good comment?
We often see ‘It is my blog, so I can do or say anything I want with it’ in blogsphere. I think movie directors should adopt this phrase. It’s their movie, their way of expressing what they want to say.
A movie is a movie. Why give it a lot of hoot to begin with if you don’t want people to watch it? All you do is just giving it free publicity.
Personally, I think Yasmin Ahmad did a great job for producing such a great movie. Yes, a movie is a movie. What makes it great is when it arouses different emotiongs and reaction from its audience. What makes it great is when it provokes its audience to think and have pationate oppinion about it. Gubra (and Sepet) have done all that, I think.
People say that Yasmin Ahmad’s movies depict a somehow ’sesat’ faith, morality and virtues. Well, we are all ’sesat’ in one way or another so what harm can one tiny film can do?
In the end it’s just another story. Just enjoy show.
Was this a good comment?
Wow Zainol, cool down, will you?
My sentiments follow exactly what Sui Seng said.
First off, I haven’t yet seen Gubra, but I’ve seen Sepet. And for Sepet, I thought it was a good effort by her. Some of the acting could have been better, but I did liked its content. Sexual connontations? Sure, there was some, but realistically, many Malaysian youths are already beginning to be sexually active in their late teens and early 20’s. Check out the Durex survey on this. Yasmin was merely being honest in her portrayal of teens these days.
I guess that’s why Yasmin Ahmad is fast gaining a name and a niche for herself in Malaysia’s film industry. She doesn’t make the typical Malaysian film of: “problem/rebellious child - parents who didn’t give up on him/her - in the end, the anak insafs and turns to God and asks for his parents forgiveness” - and there you have it, another nice, tidy, moral-preaching, conformist film ready to be served to the masses.
In contrast, Yasmin likes tackling contentious issues such as youth, race, religion, morality, independence, non-conformism in Malaysian society, and she doesn’t portray everything in black and white morality. Some people may not act in a 100% ‘moral’ way, but then again they may have certain reasons for not doing so. Plus, the concept of ‘morality’ itself is relative, even if it’s based on a particular religion. This is because there are more than one religion in Malaysian society.
Lastly, Zainol, I don’t mean to be critical, but your article seems to be lacking much substance. It seemed to merely be an anti-Yasmin/Gubra rant, and nothing else. You could try to make things more intellectually stimulating by elaborating your points as to why you are so against Yasmin’s films.
Was this a good comment?
dude! the story promotes the relationship between a chinese boy and a malay girl. is that filthy? promoting ethnics relations is dumb? call yourself a malaysian now? hmm.
Was this a good comment?
What i want to say is that sharifah amani is a pretty flower
Was this a good comment?
Greetings dear commentors,
The Cicak Team asked my permission to republish my post about Gubra quite some time back.
I see it appearing only today so I am okay with it being republished.
I will respond to each of your comments individually through this platform and wish to reiterate that I stand by my convictions that films do carry a message and filmmakers need to ensure that they are not sending out the wrong message to the cinemagoers out there.
Whether you realise it or not, films can influence how society thinks, acts and feels.
For instance, the film ‘The Message’ by the late Moustapha Akkad aroused emotions of those who watched it and they came to understand how it was during Islam’s early days when the Final Prophet of God, Muhammad ibni Abdullah had to suffer so many trials and tribulations in spreading the Message of Islam to the Polytheists of Makkah!
I will write more in detail and as ‘intellectual’ as possible as sigma requests but please bear in mind that I am writing from my point of view as a Malaysian Muslim activist and not from a ’scholarly’ point of view or as a University graduate in the Performing Arts.
I do feel strongly about such mediums of media and feel that I need to share my opinions about such matters that do concern me as a fellow citizen.
I will follow up on the subject soon. Thanks.
Was this a good comment?
LOL! Good one faiz, she is a pretty flower indeed.
You know, Zainol, I could write an equally scathing remark just like you did, just that on the other extreme of the continuum, but what’s the point? Really, you’re not the first to do the Yasmin-Ahmad-bashing and yours is more of an echo to some of the stuff I’ve read in Harakah.
But kudos to the Editor of theCicak.com for allowing this post. At least there’s debate.
Now the nitty-gritty of what I think. Much like what sigma said, I think Gubra and Sepet have had some interesting questions posed and Yasmin is tackling some good current issues in today’s society. Perhaps a little too much for some of us as the prostitution in Gubra goes to show. And maybe certain Malaysians may not want to see such ugly realities being portrayed on the silver screen. But what about the rest who treat this as what this is, first and foremost, entertainment?
Think of this from another perspective. If every single individual in society were to conform to just one single set of values, what happens? The vibrant fabric of social life and culture would be lost.
In encouraging the geniuses, we inevitably have to allow room for the criminals as well. Some may think of Yasmin as the former, some as the latter, but you cannot help but agree that her movies are a breath of fresh air in the local scene. The fact that they are winning awards overseas must count for something, and if Malaysia does not recognise such talent, then why keep asking ourselves why doesn’t Malaysia make anymore good films since the days of P.Ramlee?
Simply put, we just aren’t giving them the leeway and breathing space to work. Requiring, or even forcing, moviemakers or any other creative individual in general to adhere to certain values when creating their masterpieces not only takes away their free rein and creativity, it doesn’t allow for fresh exploration which is much like what research is to science.
So, Zainol, is it any wonder why the movies you like to watch are all older than most of us reading this? If you can’t allow for what you don’t like, you’re going to shut off the potential for something you like to come along.
With all that said, in my own personal opinion, I think Yasmin is nothing short of a genius and I salute her bravery for raising issues in Gubra even after much criticism drawn for Sepet. One particular scene that sticks with me is the one of Orked and Alan in the van, and the “But sometimes, it’s really hard for us to live here. It’s like loving someone who doesn’t love you back”.
Apparently she’s in the midst of filming another movie, Mukhsin, where it explores the situation most of us, if not all, have gone through at some point in our lives: what happens when you fall for your best friend? Really looking forward to that now.
Anyway Zainol, in the end I only have to say that keeping social ills in the hush won’t make it go away. It’s far easier to fight the devil you know than the one you don’t. And Yasmin seems to keep bringing it to public light in spite of all the bashing she’s getting. So who’s the real devil now?
Was this a good comment?
feeling a little like MENJ’ish.
The author is probably out of touch with the typical urban semi-rural youth. chances are..he never falls in love before.
Blahm to cicak.
Was this a good comment?
I do agree with Jon… keeping social ills in the hush wont make it disappear..
By the way u said u were writing from ur point of view as a Malaysian Muslim activist. So how should a Muslim film be like? Also have you seen films from country like Iran, Palestine, Egypt??
Lets not forget people tends to mix CULTURE with RELIGION…
Was this a good comment?
Ever thought that it’s these kind of films that make people (especially those who are not exposed to this side of the society) realize what really is going on out of their “protected” view? The fact remains that these things are happening, some know it, some don’t. It’s really brave of Yasmin Ahmad to admit and portray this particular character of the current Malaysian society in her movies. The movie IS undeniably a little “daring” for certain parts of the society who are on the more conservative side, but it portrays what’s ALREADY going on and the mood Yasmin Ahmad brings in the movie is not exactly encouraging viewers to condone these behaviours at the same time. The writers’ opinion is to a certain extent based and agreable, but on the other hand, there are some who just might learn something from this. After all, we can’t deny movies like Sepet and Gubra is a breath of fresh air from typical Malaysian productions (in many sense).
Was this a good comment?
I know that conservatives like me would come across as a ‘killjoy’ for most of you young folks with my viewpoints on the trend of films nowadays which tout liberal lifestyles and ‘a breath of fresh air’ as the last commentor says.
iamcicaktoo asks me whether I have seen films from Iran, Palestine and Egypt?
I have seen films from Iran. They are mostly very basic in their storylines and dwell on individual characters and the plot is easy and right down to earth. Can’t recall the titles but these are the ones I saw on Astro Prima where Iranian films have been screened.
Can’t say I have seen Palestinian films. The ones from Egypt are downright western oriented and the kind of films produced from Egypt aren’t to my liking.Well, that’s my likes and dislikes.
I can’t ask you folks to agree with me in my viewpoints. I blogged about Gubra based on my feelings and sentiments after watching Sepet.
I admit that I am biased against such films for to me they have no value to add to the nation.
If you like such extolling of loose morals and permissive behaviour where the trend is to infuse sexual misbehaviour or voyeurisms, then one might as well just make a porn flick and exploit a young gullible and willing actress as Sharifah Amani to cavort on bed with any Ahmad, Ah Seng or Samy and then call it ‘the hot movie ‘ of the year.
If that’s the kind of films that stoke your desires, so be it . You only become what you feed your mind and believe that it’s the ‘in thing’ to view.
As for ‘old values’ man like me, it is gross and ‘C’ grade material.
Hollywood gave up making such skinflicks way back in the 70s and 80s.
Ever wonder why their film industry is the best in the world and their actors and actresses get paid in millions?
Malaysia’s film industry is just too bogged down in low grade scripts and film directing.
Even Puteri Gunung Ledang which was produced at more than RM20 million failed to even cover costs what so returning any profits to the producers.
I won’t stop any of you from going to see Gubra and Sepet or whatever other crap that Yasmin Ahmad churns out for it is your God given right to do as you please.
You can watch those kind of movies and maybe ‘grow’ more intelligent and ‘worldly wise’ by emulating whatever ‘good values’ is being espoused by such films.
tomatoinc implies that yours truly doesnt know stuff about urban-rural youth or that I know zilch about love…hehehehehe.
Don’t go shooting off your mouth about me when you don’t even know who the heck I am young man.
Do I need to share with you about my lovelifes?
I had my fair share of loving and that is for me to know and to keep it confidential for it is all in the past.
Allah the Almighty knows me best and I will just let it be. Comment if you want about the subject matter and keep to the topic.
Don’t get personal in matters like these. If you do not know me in person, just focus on the issue being discussed. It’s best for you.
Regarding your implying about me being ‘menj’ish, have you even learned who we are?
You need to learn about us before jumping to conclusions, brother.
MENJ and me are friends , yes. We are different in our ways and methods but our objectives are almost the same. He does his stuff online whereas I am a face to face person.
You ought to remember, that in life there will always be those who are different from you and that not all will happen as you wish.
As in the Surah Al Kafirun’ Lakum dinukum waliyadin’
To each their own. You love Yasmin Ahmad. Go camp with her. I ain’t got any complaints.
Was this a good comment?
Kudos Zainol for TRYING to sound all diplomatic and respectful of alternative opinions. Operative word = TRYING.
You let yourself down by being caustic. While agreeing to disagree, one should not resort to phrases like “You love Yasmin Ahmad. Go camp with her”.
Reeks of childishness.
Besides that, thanks for a different sort ‘fresh air’. It is people like YOU who remind all of us of the reality of Malaysian life. More so than Yasmin’s potrayal of Malaysia in her movies. Here’s real life for all of us.
Like it or not, ‘liberal’ is NOT the order of the day. The majority, in my humble opinion, are of the same mindset like Zainol.
And if we are truly bent on achieving the perceived ‘benefits’ of a more open-minded, less conservative society (the benefits of which are truly debatable), these are the people we need to get through to first.
Until there is the proverbial ‘paradigm shift’ in the mentality of the majority of the rakyat, just enjoy the show as it is : SHOW only.
Was this a good comment?
Zainol, while I can see why you would prefer to see more “wholesome” fare on-screen, I would hardly agree with your statement that “Hollywood gave up making such skinflicks way back in the 70s and 80s.” First of all, showing dubious or perhaps sexually suggestive behaviour in a film is waaaaay different from showing a porn film with full nudity and graphic sex. It’s not really an “all or nothing” case here - might as well say, “Well, you can’t show a movie where a guy is holding up a store; he might as well be slitting a man’s throat and spreading his guts all over the floor in vivid detail.” That’s not a very good example, but you get my drift?
I can’t really comment on Gubra and Sepet as I haven’t seen either film in its entirety. However, even if they did contain nudity, you can hardly say that they are “skin flicks” and Hollywood is above that kind of “trash,” because many recent Hollywood films, mainstream AND artistic, contain some nudity and portrayals of sex. Think of The Red Violin, The Island, heck, Titanic had scenes of sexuality and/or nudity in them, and we’d hardly consider them to be porn. Maybe you’re going “wait a minute, I’ve never seen nudity or sex in those movies!” Let’s not forget a little thing we call “censorship…”
Perhaps you are defending our vaunted conservative Asian values, and that’s a noble cause. While I agree that nudity or sex in films can get quite excessive in many cases and perhaps influence our poor, impressionable youth, I don’t think Malaysia has gotten to that point where we’re seeing breasts and penises flashed across a screen every five minutes, far from it.
Some of the most celebrated cinemas in the world - French, Spanish, Japanese, even Chinese - show what you may consider to be gratuitous scenes of sex and violence, but many consider them to be fine works of art. Would you ban the exhibition of, perhaps, Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus or Michaelangelo’s Davidbecause of their portrayals of the naked body? Or a book like The Catcher in the Rye because of its excessive swearing, or even Twelfth Night because of the maid Maria’s lusty behaviour? Would you consider those to be pornographic works?
Let’s not use Hollywood as an example, please. Yes, I agree (sometimes) that our society has oft become sex- and violence-crazed, and that it would be nice to hark back to the innocence and purity of early years. However, I believe that Yasmin Ahmad is not producing sexual immorality, merely presenting it, rather than sweeping it under the carpet as they did in the past. After all, it’s not to say that people weren’t EVER having sex before or outside of marriage in the past, or that prostitution is a recent phenomenon that has only surfaced because of the depravity of recent generations (there is a reason why it’s called “the oldest profession in the world.”) -Krystle C.
Was this a good comment?
Thanks for commenting people. Sui Seng, I try very hard not to be caustic. I really do.
It’s just that just like everyone else, I do get irritated by some folks who comment without looking at my main points.
One man’s meat is another’s poison. So says the old adage.
There is however a civic and social responsibility on us as a member of society to not just be apathetic to what takes place in our midst.
We could just mind our own business and be as the 3 monkeys with their ‘See No Evil;Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil’ mindset and let society carry on as it pleases.
The irony is that sometimes , such aloofness comes back and kicks us in the butt when social rot takes place because nobody objected or said anything in the first place.
Am I then saying that we should be the ‘moral police’ and watch out for every single thing that goes on today in our life?
Well, that remains to be considered. For all of our traditional Asian values and way of life that has been passed to us through the centuries, only a very small number of customs remain and they too are fast being gobbled up by the sands of time.
Morality may be a thing that people don’t give a hoot nowadays as society gets evolving with every passing second.
Things that were considered taboo and offensive to all are today being bandied about and crammed down into our life’s by society’s couldn’t care less attitudes.
As I said, my views are just that. They are mine, a conservative but still adepting to today’s modern lifestyle and developments person.
It’s different between us. Me, a 47 year old , kampong man living in the nation’s capital and you folks, modern thinking , young adults trying to make sense of what’s going on around your life.
Our values are definitely opposite so, no matter what , we will still choose to differ on points such as whether this crap of a film is worth debating about.
You might think that I am archaic in my observations and that I need to open up or something to the ‘in thing’ to be crass and crude in the name of arts and freedom of expression.
Well, to me , blatant propagation of loose morals and the prostitution of religious values by mix matching them into a ’script’ and churning out such crap as a film worthy of mention is a downright assault on the values and principles of my faith which is the main reason why I take offense to this production.
I wouldn’t bother commenting on this film if it didn’t do that.
I stick to my views and hope that you folks would give me my rights to hold on to my opinions.
You have your rights to think wht you want and so do I.
Krystle, I need to rush to the mosque for the Friday prayers now . Will get back to you once I have some free time.
How’s the weather in Canada?
Was this a good comment?
[…] me to this article where the author lambasted Gubra. In one of the comments, the commenter described the post as bein […]
Was this a good comment?
If I didn’t know better, I’d say that Zainol here is just deliberately trying to ruffle some feathers and make a provocative statement in order to draw attention to himself and/or his cause.
Or perhaps I really don’t know better.
In the main article, he comes out very strongly and very heavily, using phrases such as:
“a blasphemous film which ought to be trashed into the dustbins of the nation”;
“To push such screwed-up values as something worth watching shows the sordid agenda being brainwashed into Malaysian cinemagoers under the guise of expressions of the current Malaysian lifestyle!”;
“I think they should ban this movie! To those who like such filth , well to each their own, but to me this is pure B.S.!”; and
“but to push through a loose, screwed-up agenda such as this filth deserves all the condemnations we can come up with!”.
After drawing much criticism from the many responses, then Zainol tones down significantly in comment #13, and even further in #16. Notice that it is only in his later comments that some form of intellectual debate rather than the baseless and heavy-handed criticism on the film in the main article. Which is weird to do so, don’t you think, instead of placing the arguments in the main article itself.
Next, for all that anger and hatred towards this film, Zainol hasn’t as yet mentioned any specific parts of the movie to form his arguments. I haven’t seen any direct reference to parts of the movie, as though he is criticising Gubra merely on hearsay, and before Zainol himself has seen it.
Ahh. Perhaps that is it. In comment #13, para. 5, he implies through this, “I blogged about Gubra based on my feelings and sentiments after watching Sepet”. Also, in the main article, he states, “In a review, novelist Faisal Tehrani exposes all the crude behaviour being expounded by Gubra, …”, and never does he actually admit to having watched Gubra itself.
Honestly, this whole argument is very childish and very emotional without any content whatsoever. I hereby openly challenge all future writers to please state their arguments and justifications upfront, and their conclusion be fairly based on what they have stated. No point getting everybody worked up over a few baseless and emotional statements. No point having to use the comments to justify your take.
Sure, I might not agree with you, but I want to see your view and why you see things that way. Give me something to concede that you may have a point there. Which is still something you have not given besides admitting that we are of very different backgrounds and hence would likely not share the same sentiments.
Also, please talk (or even get heated up if you wish) over something you have seen or heard first-hand. Venting and ranting here is not proper, not for a commentor, and definitely not for a contributing writer.
To me, at the end of it all, I can only say that most of us here have differing views from Zainol, but I respect his views as he would respect mine. Peace be with you.
Was this a good comment?
Zainol,
You made an claim without substantiating it:
Making films to help mould a good Malaysian society which is based on good religious values and social foundations would be a boon to the future of this country.
I have pointed this out earlier and it has been left unanswered.
Can you please substantiate this assertion?
Was this a good comment?
Regardless of religious agenda. I won’t bother seeing this movie not because it’s been labelled as obscene by religious .
Rather, Malaysian movies are boring and often a waste of time… And I believe your average Malaysian would much prefer watching X-Men, the Matrix etc. The new generation want controversy, on top of that, they want action, they want graphical precision, they want special effects that will blow their minds away…
They want to be pulled into the widescreen.
I think Malaysia’s movie industry fail to address all of these. And their failure will forbid them to ever making it big.
Was this a good comment?
“I think they should ban this movie! To those who like such filth , well to each their own, but to me this is pure B.S.!”
Interesting. Would B.S. stand for “bullshit”? Merriam-Webster notes that the word is “usually vulgar” and from common experience, we obviously know this is true.
And so wouldn’t YOUR use of vulgarity be counter to the traditional family values that you claim to espouse?
Perhaps your piece should be banned for its vulgarity and “filthy” connotations of dung. Our nation would fare much better without you bringing “shit” (pun intended) into our public discourse.
Was this a good comment?
Haha! I so agree with zip.
I’m cool with using the word bullshit as many times as I like. Then again, I’m not one to pull my religion into evaluating movies and labelling them as abscene. I get my laughs out of Scary Movie and American Pie =)
Was this a good comment?
the debate here is starting to get exciting…will we ever witness a battle of more superior scale and intensity than the backlash which marc jitab received for his article on homosexuality?
jon and zip,
think maybe you guys are taking some of zainol’s expressions out of context. there is a jungle out there, not just a mere collection of trees.
bottomline is, his main claim is that certain movies project different kinds of messages that can “corrupt” society. Gubra, according to his interpretation, falls into that category. correct me if i am wrong, zainol.
reading between the lines, it seems zainol’s views are thoroughly influenced by his religious convictions. there is nothing wrong about being religious in a secular world, except that one’s religious convictions are highly subjective and private.
the projection of such subjectivity into a commentary on contemporary media and culture, just puts zainol on a different plane. try as he may, but it will be dicey to justify his views “rationally” if he is to attempt to make many understand why he thinks what he thinks, without resorting to parochial lectures on religion and tradition.
for adherents of “secularism” it is time consuming to debate with theologians, monks and religious teachers on values and society, as is the case if one where to put the pope in a debate with bertrand russel.
religious interpretations aside, if one takes a different view of movies like sepet and gubra, they represent a deconstruction of the world view that many have grown accustomed to. i believe that yasmin ahmad did not deliberately want to offend; instead she had hoped to provoke viewers into thinking and questioning the bigotry and biases in our society. she isn’t trying to indoctrinate anyone here, nor is she trying by any means to say that her view is legitimate.
judging from the fact that many young viewers have seen these movies, it’s good education in the sense that the younger generation will appreciate that the world isn’t composed of colours of black and white. there are always shades of grey. when the young are thinking, there is hope for society to evolve after all.
i have rambled on somewhat…now back to my hermitage.
questioning and provocation of thought
Was this a good comment?
Thanks elegant lily. You commented well and saw through my post exactly as I expressed my thoughts on this.
I didn’t expect this post of mine to be kept on public debate.
When cicak.com contacted me to ask for my permission to republish it here, I didn’t realise that this is gonna result in the topic to be discussed and debated like this.
I am somewhat tired of having to re-explain myself over and over again and wish that this endless cycle of dwelling on Gubra stops.
I have asked cicak.com to unpublish this post of mine and I do not wish to comment any further.
If any of you want to still pester me about this, do so at my blog. This is my final comment here.
Have a nice life everyone and let’s stop here.
Thanks.
Was this a good comment?
To clarify, I’m a different jon from the other one, the one who has listed his blog as www.drearyheavens.com.
It seems that Zainol hasn’t refuted my claim that he has yet to watch Gubra. That speaks volumes for one who feels so strongly.
It only renders this discussion as nonsensical and baseless. More attention-seeking than anything else.
Was this a good comment?
i always thought sepet was a good movie. never really gotten round to watch it but everyone else seems to be telling me that its fantastic
Was this a good comment?
dear sir,
i am honestly appalled at how theCICAK could let your piece of journalistic mediocrity slip pass their gatekeeping system and join their article bank.
this scathing “review”, which really seems more like a straight-out bashing of ms. yasmin ahmad’s recent efforts, does nothing but demonstrate your parochial perspicacity. half (or actually most) of your points are really just uncorroborated claims aimed at solidfying your apparent ‘conservative’ status.
film evolves, just like music, art and literature. what may have been the purpose of film back in the Ramlee-era of film-making is not necessarily the case for all films now. it is hoped that you understand that not everything is set in black and white forever. do not bash a film-maker for not conforming to your biased perception of film-making. but of course, seeing as you are a ‘conservative’, accepting alternative viewpoints is probably sacrilegious to all things ‘conservative’ no?
oops. i made an unfounded generalization there.
yours sincerely,
me
Was this a good comment?
In response to Jeremy’s comment.
We would like to clarify that theCICAK is not “aiming to solidify our ‘conservative’ status” by publishing this article. We were interested in the perspective this article offered and are quite happy with the debate it has aroused. The author’s points have been made and in no way is he obliged to address further discussion, unless he himself wants to. The comment function is primarily for readers to initiate discussion.
Since inception, theCICAK has strived to be a platform for ALL voices. We remain an open forum for constructive debate and discussion.
Your feedback is noted. Thank you.
Was this a good comment?
i think it is really unscholarly for someone to make uncorroborated claims, and then when subjected to peer review, she/he conveniently chickens out.
Stated mission number 3:
To be objective by acknowledging and working against our own biases. Because we have more liberal contributors, theCICAK editors actively seek conservative writers.
i understand the Cicak’s difficulty in achieving this. perhaps it is due to the fact that there is no such thing as an intellectual “conservative” movement in Malaysia? perhaps it is just a barren wasteland?
just like everywhere else, this so called movement supposedly laments the moral decay and decadence of society, blames everything on America, is immensely nostalgic, self-righteous and is founded on fear.
when it is convenient for them, they argue using reason and logic.
but when the facts don’t support their case, they invoke the name of higher beings and texts and invite us all to join them in making somersaults and logical leaps of faith.
to clarify: i’m not referring just to religious fundamentalists, but also to groups like environmentalists and anti-globalists.
when a platform is opened up, don’t waste it away with some half-past-six rant.
Was this a good comment?
“In response to the Administrator’s comment:”
I know that, of course. But by defending theCICAK against a comment meant for the author of the article (absurd as it is, I know), it is evident that you did not read my comment in earnest before replying with the insinuation that I do not realize theCICAK’s attempts at being ‘a platform for ALL voices’.
Have a spectacular day anyway! Just make sure it is not marked by anymore impetuosity, okay?
Was this a good comment?
roy: “i understand the Cicak’s difficulty in achieving this. perhaps it is due to the fact that there is no such thing as an intellectual “conservativeâ€? movement in Malaysia? perhaps it is just a barren wasteland?
just like everywhere else, this so called movement supposedly laments the moral decay and decadence of society, blames everything on America, is immensely nostalgic, self-righteous and is founded on fear.
when it is convenient for them, they argue using reason and logic.
but when the facts don’t support their case, they invoke the name of higher beings and texts and invite us all to join them in making somersaults and logical leaps of faith.”
Hear hear!
You’ve nailed my sentiments on conservatives exactly 
Be it the Conservatives, Republicans, or Liberals (misnomer, Australia’s Tories), all of these political parties seem to share a 1950’s time-warp mentality. Unprogressive, unreformistic and xenophobic.
Btw, aren’t the environmentalists on the left?
But yeah, bring on any rational Tory lovers out there!
I wouldn’t mind having an intellectual spar with them 
I’ll take the left/liberal/labour side of it 
Was this a good comment?
sigma,
nope, I am not uniquely directing this to groups of people most of us dislike: religious fundamentalists and the so-called political right.
i don’t think that we can nicely put people into nice compartments.
tony blair is the best Tory Britain has had in a long time. michael moore isn’t what you would call “religious fundamentalist” but he certainly believes he is on some sort of moral crusade.
“conservatism” seems to be taken as a bad word. so is “fundamentalism”. we wholesalingly (did I just create a new word?) label them “backward”, “xenophobic”, “fascist”, “radical” etc.
i wasn’t attacking religious fundamentalism per se. i was just pointing out the absence of an intellectual one in Malaysia.
Was this a good comment?
I haven’t read through all of the comments above, so this might’ve been discussed.
I watched Sepet, but not yet Gubra. I didn’t like it. Not because of the alleged “controversy” surrounding it or whatever. But because I couldn’t relate to it whatsoever. To be honest and blunt, I didn’t get it. So a Malay girl and a Chinese guy fall in love, and then the Chinese guy dies. Who cares. I didn’t even know why they fell in love in the first place.
I see two extremes in Malaysian films. One extreme is the normal, formulaic, “run-of-the-mill love stories”, a.k.a Malay movies. These are bad films; they use cliched storylines, their actors are not actors but ‘artists’ (e.g. like Awie), (and are apparently made of wood), and their cameramen seem to not know how to use a camera. But we Malays love them, don’t know why.
Then there’s these independent films. These are good films. Some of them I heard great. Unique stories, good acting, and the usage of actual cinematography. But they’re almost always controversial. And the only people who seem to go gaga over them are from those overseas film festivals, don’t know why.
So my point is this. I’m still waiting for a “Malay movie” with unique stories, good acting, and the usage of actual cinematography, the kind those overseas international film festivles seem to love. And an “Independent film” with run-of-the-mill love stories, and actors who are not actors but ‘artists’ (preferably not made of wood), the kind we Malays seem to love.
Was this a good comment?
Zaim,
I understand why you don’t get it. Considering your insistence on having MALAY movies, of course you won’t get the emotions involved in inter-racial relationships.
“So a Malay girl and a Chinese guy fall in love… I didn’t even know why they fell in love in the first place.”
Yea, how could a Malay girl fall in love with a Chinese guy? Completely beyond understanding! Baffling. Mind-boggling. I don’t get it too!
Bring on the Malay movies people! And the Chinese ones too! And of course, good Indian movies as well. No multiracial rubbish. How can people fall in love with people from other races….ridiculous.
No multi-racialism please, we’re Malaysians. Eh, but isn’t that what we pride ourselves in? Or is it just SHOW ONLY…in real life, we’re all as racist as our next door neighbours.
I sure hope not. But I have a feeling I might be wrong.
Was this a good comment?
To Zainol,
The movie was well liked by the public, and younger generations particularly, because it portrays our society so precisely. The two movies was merely reflecting our society. They are not trying to promote filth. Nor are they trying to promote moral values. It’s just showing our society as it is.
Takkan you are so naive to not know that a majority of Malaysian youths have pre-marital sex? …that this is their/our lifestyle now?
To Jon (of comment #20),
A waste of time? Some M’sian movies are reasonably good, if you care to spend some time watching it… instead of just sitting around saying that all of them are not good due to the lack of explosions and computer effects. As recent fad shows, M’sians are so engrossed in Korean soap operas nowadays. Are you saying our show should compromise good story line for action and special effects that blow their minds away?
Was this a good comment?
can i marry sharifah amani please
Was this a good comment?
Could the writer/blogger be a bit more specific with instances of the film that she opposes? She should be more articulate with her views, and support it with evidence and examples. This basic foundation of writing is lacking in her posting.
Was this a good comment?
The writer is being satirical.
Was this a good comment?
What is a real wreck is the way Islam is being intepreted today. Morality is a subjective issue and the film Gubra exposes the myths and fallacies that today confuse whats actual religious practice and whats cultural. For example, nowhere in the Quran does it say one cannot touch a dog. Yet we see most muslims being against contact with mans best friend;while many claim dogs to be ‘dirty’, they keep cats instead, forgetting that cats are actually dirtier and are animals that cannot be trained, so when they poo all over the place, it really compromises the Qurans advice to followers to avoid “fecal or waste matter”. So here Gubra tried to educate the public and highlight whats false in Islam. The saying at the end of the film says it all, “the lamps are different, but the light is the same.So Mr. Abideen needs a bit more intelligence before offering his not so intelligent views to anyone.
Was this a good comment?
Things that ‘haram’ is ‘haram..do not change that
Was this a good comment?
i think that movie was great. and i prefer movies by yasmin ahmad rather than junks by other local directors
Was this a good comment?
i think the movie was great too. although it doesnt potray the “majority” of malaysian culture, it atleast does happen. the hidden message in some of the phrase used really touch me.. my advise to those who think this movie is crap: jz to watch the muvie again… but this time with u rbrain WIDE open..;)
Was this a good comment?
ban the movie ha faisal…..how mature of you. Isn’t what that exactly what we’ve been fighting for all along and we have fortunately obtained it on 1957…..INDEPENDANCE baby!!!…finally we have the freedom to do something without being put into a cell or becoming and outcast….faisal…baning a film wouldn’t do any good…..it’s used by dicatators like…..whos’s the best example ha…..hitler….na…oh yeah mahatir…….and what a mess he has created…..
Was this a good comment?
I can’t believe this article was approved by the editors. It seems so bias, in the sense that the writer writes from a purely single point of view. He writes about moral corruption, yet does not care to elaborate what exactly constitutes this moral corruption, Furthermore, his writing voice is angry and all too sweeping. I respect various views, but his is just so generalized, angry and poorly-expressed.
Was this a good comment?
I respect your views and I dont condemn them as I too have my own and wish that you will not condemn them too. I’ve watch both Sepet and Gubra and I personaly think that Yasmin Ahmad is both clever and brave at the same time. Clever because she has used this opportunity of publicising current issues and making big bucks while doing it. Brave because she’s the first to ever make a movie that stirs a few people’s drinks (such as yourself) and raise a few eyebrows. Her work got a worldwide recognition which our other local movies have not yet achieved which I think earns her a pat on the back. I’ve never been a fan of our local movies and I think Sepet and Gubra has brought a fresh breath of air in the industry.
Was this a good comment?
This is what I think: All Malay movies distributed by the people who made Senario or MGM are just a waste of money. I’ve never bothered to look at a review of any of those movies. THOSE are the stuff you find at the bottom of the bin. I’d rather watch a P.Ramlee than sit through a movie like that.
I’m a Western movie fan. Before Sepet and Gubra, I strongly detested Malaysian-made movies, except indie flicks. I DISLIKED, with GREAT INTENSITY, all those crappy films with flimsy storylines. They don’t make a person think. They’re just stories that are….fluff.
Sepet and Gubra, on the other hand, are briliant pieces of arts. They are the ONLY Malaysian movies that I truly admire.
They make a person THINK. It’s not offending to Muslims. Yasmin Ahmad is a Muslim. My very best friend Khadijah is a Muslim and she thinks Alan (Gubra) is hotter than Jason (though I may beg to differ).
At the end of the day, we are all different people with different opinions who are allowed to speak our minds out. And at the end of the day, IT’S JUST A FRIKIN’ MOVIE.
Good night.
Was this a good comment?
Salam,
Banning art works (films, novel etc) can never ever be a brilliant idea.
Was this a good comment?