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‘Layar Perak: Let There Be Light’ to promote mental health awareness in film screening

Organiser and NGO Nyawa partners with The Vibes to raise awareness and further improve the visibility of Malaysian films with mental health themes

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 10 Sep 2021 12:00PM

‘Layar Perak: Let There Be Light’ to promote mental health awareness in film screening — Layar Perak invites audiences to explore the theme of mental health through five carefully curated short films. Pictured is a still from ‘Palsy’, directed by Farihin Ufiya. – Pic courtesy of 'Layar Perak: Let There Be Light', September 10, 2021

by Amalina Kamal

IMPACTING not only individuals but also families, communities, as well as societies, suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect. Covid-19 has undeniably amplified it.

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, non-governmental organisation Nyawa in collaboration with The Vibes introduces 'Layar Perak: Let There Be Light'. It is a one-hour film screening promoting well-being through film depictions of those suffering emotionally and/or struggling with mental health conditions.

Set to take place on September 25, the online event will also be raising funds for selected beneficiaries in their causes. Non-profit-organisation Befrienders is named as one.

Still from ‘Diri’, directed by Sharifah Aleysha. ‘Diri’ follows a 16-year-old girl six months after losing her sister, and finding a way of moving on and the courage to say goodbye. – Pic courtesy of 'Layar Perak: Let There Be Light'

The project is also a collaboration with the My Mind On Film (MMOF) festival, which focuses on stigma reduction within the Malaysian context. It is seen as central to the Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHW)’s commitment towards engaging with young people, hearing their voices, and working together for progress.

This is also in line with Nyawa’s vision of building communities and spaces that value mental health and provide equitable, quality services to instil a safe environment for meaningful discussions to take place.

Five young and talented Malaysian filmmakers will be premiering their shorts, where some will make their directorial debut, especially for the screening.

Guilt’, directed by Jason Lee, follows a string of voice messages that uncovers the mystery behind a missing boy who ran away from home. – Pic courtesy of 'Layar Perak: Let There Be Light'

Nyawa co-founder Farihin Ufiya said: “Films are powerful artistic mediums. Thus, we believe a film screening is a creative way to encourage empathy and alleviate stigma in support of these two days.”

“We hope to increase the visibility of films with mental health themes. And subsequently, encourage the production of more films that explore important, albeit difficult, topics within the Malaysian cultural context,” she added.

Still from ‘If I can’t see the sun, maybe I should go’, directed by Feisal Azizuddin. – Pic courtesy of 'Layar Perak: Let There Be Light'

Among them Sharifah Aleysha, Feisal Azizuddin, Jason Lee, Zahir Omar and Farihin Ufiya.

Through the five carefully curated short films, Layar Perak invites the audience to explore the theme of mental health, primarily of suicide and depression to shed light on the related cause(s) and effect(s). – The Vibes, September 10, 2021

*Follow The Vibes this month for articles focusing on the topic as well as updates on 'Layar Perak: Let There Be Light', set to take place 25 September.