Making some noise with music

SITTING amid a group of yuppies in Bangsar’s latest kopitiam edition, Chawan, one of the three winners of the Komas Freedom Film Fest 2008 human rights film proposal competition tries to get comfy in his coffee-shop chair.

Budding lawyer Justin Johari Azman, 28, looks nothing like the rapper he professes to be. “The film proposal is about my rap group, D&A, and our production journey of a video clip for a song that is about democratic expression in political and social issues,” Justin explains.

Titled Project X, the short film depicts the state of music as a form of freedom of expression.

The other winners of the Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (Komas) film proposals are Abror Rivai for his proposal on “free and fair elections” entitled Pilihanraya Umum 12, Demokrasi atau Rebutan Kerusi, and Poh Si Teng for her proposal on “sexual conformity” in Malaysia.

Komas is a Malaysian social media centre. It has been promoting social and community films committed to the ideals of human rights, social justice and equality these past four years.

“These three film proposals,” says Benjamin Mckay spokesperson for the FFF2008 judges, “were chosen firstly because they represent an investigation into democratic space, which may now be more accessible since the March 8th elections and secondly, they perhaps represent a positive change in the way Malaysia is coming to deal with its human rights issues.

Says Justin: “The theme of the festival was democratic space and making room for human rights. And after all the controversies in the country, I was inspired to address some issues through music.”

“Also, after Namewee’s Negaraku, we felt music had a great impact on the public.

“Used in the right way, we can instil patriotism or address issues. You can say, our idea is in between the fanaticism of Namewee and that latest ‘we are the world’ music video from Malaysian Artistes For Unity,” he says, referring to Pete Teo’s Here In My Home album.

“We won’t be as subtle as Teo, as we will be addressing some issues in the video clip, but nothing as brash as Namewee,” says Justin who volunteers at the KL Bar Legal Aid.

Project X will feature interviews with political and social activists, as well as the “making of” process of the end product – the video clip.

The song in the video clip, says Justin, will be a response to the issues brought up in the interviews.

“There is no need to instigate controversy. We are not planning to do that.

“What we want to do is work with other artistes and activists to relate the basis and focus on issues that are affecting youths these days.

“It is an experiment to see how far we can expand ourselves through music, without having to hurt or offend others.

“We want to see what are the limitations to what the public can accept and what it can’t,” says Justin, adding that some parts of the film will include clips sourced from the Internet and TV stations.

“Basically, we will expand on events that have unfolded over the last year.”

Justin was given RM5,000 by Komas to turn his proposal into film. He also receives the Justin Louis Award.

“I have till the end of August to finish the film,” says Justin.

D&A, short for “Dunia dan Akhirat” (This World and The After), comprises Justin, lawyer M. Razif Mahboob and banker Ezree Reza Ali. Others working under the group, for the film are art director Leslie Ewe, videographer Shamsul Suffian, performer Royadi Madada and graphic designer M. Fahrin Alfan.

“We come from various backgrounds, conservative and liberal. The interview will see the different opinions we have,” says Justin, adding that the film will be in Bahasa Malaysia.

The hip-hop-rap outfit was first seen on EMI’s local competition, Phat Enough, in 2005.

“We disliked performing other people’s songs, and one of the main criteria during the competition was originality. The following year, we joined Blast Off! but didn’t get very far. But that was when people began to recognise us.

“D&A was born out of necessity in 2003. We felt there was a need for conscious rappers, with a mission and message. So we feel this opportunity is the next step,” Justin says.

Project X will premiere at the Annual Freedom Film Festival and will be screened with other human rights films in September. The chosen films will then compete for the Most Outstanding Human Rights Film award.

For more information, visit freedomfilmfest.komas.org