Review on Journal Articles

8/3/2019 Review on Journal Articles

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ARTICLE REVIEW

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Article Review:Just Do It (Yourself): independent filmmaking in Malaysia

It is interesting to observe how the directors in different countries perceive changes

in the modern world and make sense of contradictory human nature, reflect on cruelty,

are concerned about racial conflict and inner torments of a small man driven into the

frame of standardized reality, think about the future and try to prophesy. However, in

general, little is known of the modern cinema of Malaysia. The article Just Do It

(Yourself): independent filmmaking in Malaysia is devoted to the issue of independent

filmmaking the author points out that the creative output of indie Malaysian filmmakers

their daily struggles to balance a waged living and simultaneously be creative

independently is all buoyed by the vagaries of economic globalization (Cheng 2007, p.

233).

In this regard, cinema of Malaysia is less noticeable, though it is certainly

subservient to the general trends. Khoo Gaik Cheng stresses that though some

filmmakers may want to represent a multiethnic Malaysia and touch on sensitive issues

that form the crux of Malaysian society, ultimately the desire to see a Malaysian film,

defined as a film that represents Malaysian multiracialism or multiethnicity, is perhaps

unrealistic, taking into account the segregated pluralist society these filmmakers inhabit

(Cheng 2007, p. 227).

Article Review: The More Things Change: The 5th Bangkok Experimental Film

Festival

Independent film (or experimental film, underground film) is a term that means part

of the film industry, which exists outside the major film companies. The characteristic

features of indie film are bold creative experiments and small film budget. In the article

The More Things Change: The 5th Bangkok Experimental Film FestivalDavid Teh states

that in Thai contemporary art, the everyday often finds expression in recursive or

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repetitive practices that may seem to be more spiritual than expressly political (The

2007, p. 17).

These true independent films experiment boldly and very willingly dispense with

conservative values. There is no bigotry, no prejudice, no political or religious taboo - it

is natural, every day, or vice versa, completely surreal and absurd. It is no secret that the

scenes of violence and sex in independent films often do not have limits like in the mass

cinema. Therefore, minors are not allowed to watch independent films. It is likely that for

this reason many conventional cinema stars do not agree to act in experiment films.

However, on the contrary, some actors consider it an honor to take part in the

independent film.

Article Review: Working practices in Thai independent film production and

distribution

A distinctive feature of the Thai cultural industry - filmmaking, sound recording,

publishing and audiovisual production - is the dominance of the aesthetic and expressive

aspects of goods and services over the utilitarian ones. This determines their ability to

withstand an unstable and uncertain demand, the market needs, attracting growing

attention of economic analysts and researchers. People, involved in the cultural

industries, seek and find special connection of the creative and administrative activities

and create a network of marketing relationship that can thrive in a challenging

competitive environment.

This article is aimed at the analysis of the economic side of filmmaking. The

contemporary market has changed dramatically and now requires new directors with

completely new vision of how the film must be shot. Sudarat Musikawong writes that

Films like Last Life in the Universe show the phenomenon of image branding as

different-indie films readyfor some younger consumers. With such independent films

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there is the lure of internationalco-productions that may promise less risk in distribution

costs in the international market (Musikawong 2007, p. 248).

In addition to the possible transfer of "know-how" in the traditional industries, the

author of the article also recognizes the urgent need to increase economic flexibility and

responsiveness of people working in the arts. Indeed, management of cultural institutions

is often primitive, poorly organized and does not reflect the complexity of strategic

companies operating in the global entertainment market. For example, many Asian and,

in particular, the Thai cinema companies today need to take more professional attitude to

serious entrepreneurial activity. Therefore, a solid economic culture - integrated with

artistic culture, rather than opposed to it, - is a prerequisite for long-term launch of the

Thai cinema on the world stage.

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References

Cheng, K. G. (2007). Just Do It (Yourself): independent filmmaking in Malaysia. Inter-

Asia Cultural Studies 8(2): 227-247.

Musikawong, S. (2007). Working practices in Thai independent film production and

distribution.Inter-Asia Cultural Studies 8(2): 248-261.

Teh, D. (2007). The More Things Change: The 5th Bangkok Experimental Film Festival.

pp. 14-53.

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