The Genius of Mamat Khalid

Before treading any further, know that this is an opinion blog. I am entitled to my own opinion and so does all of you.

To me and some of my peers, the Malaysian film industry isn't too terribly interesting. I don't call gossip interesting. There's nothing to look forward to much. Lots of the stuff churned out are all of the same thing for quite some time. Fresh ideas are something that don't come along the industry much. As we can see much of the films are love story, senseless comedy, films with messages, ghost stories and pure drama; maybe a mix of more than one element. But that's it. Many of the movies in one genre is typically the same with little variation on character, time settings and storyline. The turns and twists of most movies are so tried and exhaustive that, really, it's not surprising nor entertaining anymore. Everything is so predictable its funny. In fact, all of the movies in any genre can become so predictable that all movies are pretty much a comedy in my book. Some saving grace may come from good acting from a few select actors but rarely that ever happens. Having said all of the former, there are a few directors that are well known in the industry. Albeit, name is fame. By no means popularity measures the ability and creativity of a director. All these mundane movies makes me sick and I don't really go to the movies to watch Malaysian movies. I mostly wait until its officially out on DVD and borrow from friends.

The Malaysian movie industry however, have a few gems of its own. Enter; Mamat Khalid.

Award winning Malaysian film director

Commercial name: Mamat Khalid

Real name: Mohamad bin Mohamad Khalid
Date of Birth: 6 April 1963

Place of Birth: Ipoh, Perak

A confession, I have only seen 3 of his movies, namely Man Laksa, Zombi Kampung Pisang and Hantu Kak Limah Balik Rumah. That said, I have heard good things about his other works. Although I have only seen 3 of his work, it was enough for me to leave an impression to him. Quickly, name me just one other director that would some how and some when at any point think of making a movie about zombies? In Malaysia? Exactly. It was completely uncalled for.

Mixing up tried formulas with fresh ideas 

Where other Malaysian movies is busy milking the safe and uninspired formula of movies in Malaysia, he took the risk and went out of the way to create something completely new and unproven. He risks of being alienated with ideas so radical and somewhat weird; something that Malaysia audience might not be ready for within the local scene. He also did something else; not underestimate the Malaysian audience. Where other directors only did safe work to guarantee a controlled amount of profit, he puts aside profit for love of the art. He did such movies because he wants to, not because he wants the maximum amount of guaranteed income. To the typical audience that are not ready for such insane idea, they shun it. Calling it a piece of crap. Calling it  bonkers and illogical. But hey, for me you go to the cinema to get entertained, not to nitpick about how unrealistic stuff becomes in movies. I watch movies to escape from my daily mundane life. For as long as I had fun with the movie, it's a good movie for me. It does not necessarily need to make sense. And Mamat Khalid's movie did just so. Owh and let me get into his kind of humor because it ain't run of the mill.

Who would've thought we would have our own zombie movie one day?

When we talk about comedy there's a few kinds of them. There's the slapstick comedy where the humor comes from ridiculous physical acts. This is the kind of comedy that is done by the 3 Stooges. There's also the word comedy where hilarity ensues from the stuff that is said and implied. Another is the situational comedy, where the condition that the characters are placed sums up to something funny. Mamat Khalid however, is different. He may have the other types of comedy in his movie but he also have one other comedy that I don't see all that often; cultural comedy. That said, it might be lost in translation if the movie is viewed by foreigners or even Malaysian that are not well devised in their own culture. Frankly, I'm not big on local culture myself but I know enough for me to still call myself a Malay. Enough for me to understand and appreciate the cultural humor in his movies. A kind of humor where not many director has guts doing probably due to their mindset of underestimating the audience and mostly just to play it safe. Where many local movie stray away from cultural values of Malaysia to maximize marketability, Mamat Khalid celebrates it. He even dare to incorporate Malaysian cultural values to what seemed to be a western idea. This is apparent in his movie Rock, where even though it is about a bunch of guys trying to chase their dreams being a rockstar, which is typically only portrayed in the west. This movie tells a story of being a rockstar from a Malaysian point of view and is not ashamed to do so. Zombies came from the west. It was popularized by George A. Romero and even Resident Evil video game. It came here to our shores in the form of our movie and was lovingly crafted with our own culture for us to call our own movie. The common value of togetherness among Malay people is portrayed well in this movie, where the local villagers are seen to be gathered together at a community center for safety in numbers. This element is largely played in his movie Man Laksa. This movie does not shy away from celebrating the Malay culture of togetherness by throwing a carnival in order to raise funds for someone from the village hit with an unfortunate luck. The movie successfully portrays how Malaysians improvise with the many hurdles along the carnival. Some of the improvisation technically is not funny, but when we watch it, we laugh at ourselves because of how much it reflects our moderate people. I may not be a kampung boy that are much familiar with such local mindsets, but I appreciate them always. 

Showcasing the spirit of togetherness in rural Malaysia

I hail from the city. I like electronica and house music. I surround myself with gadget and technology. Honestly I don't go to the cinema to watch Malaysian movies. I think it's a waste of money because there's nothing much to be look forward to. Compared to western movies, you are bound to see something cool due to their high budget. Big stars fill the name and movies entertain us with modern-ness and current trends. That said however, Mamat Khalid's movies brings out the Malaysian in me. I am humbled by my origins. I learn to love it. I look at it from a different perspective. Appreciate how unique and even beautiful my country is. His movies speak to me in a way no movie does. His movie does not pull away stuff that it think I might not be familiar with, but rather asks me to give it a chance. Try to see why its done as such. Try to understand the mindset of these characters with given limitation as a rural citizen in his works. His movies asks me to appreciate and be grateful with all that I have. His movies are the kind of movies that brings identity. He's not trying to copy anyone. His movie is being itself. His movies portray Malaysia in a way few movies has ever succeeded. His movies make me, a city boy, actually appreciate -- even love my own culture.

To director Mamat Khalid, I don't think you'll ever come across this insignificant entry of mine, but if you do, I want you to know that I love your work. You actually make me feel like the local film scene actually have something going for itself. Keep doing what you do best, and to you sir, I salute. 

Sincerely,A fan.

All images property of their rightful owner.