KUALA LUMPUR – The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and its CEO continues to face scathing criticism from members of the film industry.
This time from renowned local director U-Wei Hj Shaari, who wrote an open letter to the body questioning why he was denied funds for his work title ‘Wang Jadi Saksi’.
According to the letter, U-Wei's request for funds from Finas was rejected for no reason whatsoever.
Adding salt to the wound, the news of the rejection was sent late via email by Datuk Azmir Saifuddin, who happens to be the former deputy director of Finas.
While it seems peculiar as to why a request by a well-decorated director would be rejected, U-Wei has his own theories.
He shared experiences that may or may not have influenced Finas’ decision.
One of them concerns his meeting with Ellie Suriati in February, where the latter urged U-Wei to lead a new director’s association.
“The reason behind forming a new association is to erase the current director’s association,” the letter read.
U-Wei contends that the formation of a new director’s association was proposed by Finas CEO Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nazri himself.
Nevertheless, U-Wei rejected the proposal to lead the association.
Next, he also pointed towards a Whatsapp message sent by Finas in March which said that the Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and the director of Finas would visit U-Wei at his home about the Finas Prihatin initiative.
But, that proposal did not sit well with U-Wei.
He felt heavy-hearted to be in a situation where he would be displayed in photos holding a cheque of RM1,000.
“As I have said before, artists need assistance, but not this way.
The director pitched his movie to obtain the funds on March 16 via Zoom, with everything seeming to go smoothly.
Based on his letter, U-Wei represented himself along with Datuk Azmir Saifuddin and Azman Azahar.
From Finas, Mohd Fazli Abdul Aziz along with two other individuals were represented.
During the presentation for his ‘Wang Jadi Saksi’ production, U-Wei said he was not asked any questions, even when he asked Finas’ representatives if they had any doubts.
All they did was give him a thumbs up, signalling all is well.
“I want to stress that those who represented Finas were professionals and trustworthy. Intellectuals whom I respect,” he explained.
Despite what appears to be a good pitching session, the rejection for funds drew U-Wei to question Idham’s possible involvement in the decision.
“I am sure you (Idham) are not only informed of this project but also the decision. Whether directly or indirectly, you had a part to play in the decision,” he said in his letter.
He added that according to a source from Finas, they all supported the project, but due to the decision from above, the outcome was as such.
While it may still be baffling as to the reason behind Finas’ rejection, it could not be said if it is due to the fact that U-Wei lacks experience.
His films may not have been local box-office hits, but they have received critical acclaim globally.
His film, ‘Kaki Bakar’ became the first Malaysian movie to be chosen as an Official Selection at the Cannes International Film Festival in 1995.
His short-film, ‘Sepohon Rambutan Indah Kepunyaan Saya di Tanjong Rambutan’ was another Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006.
Besides that, U-Wei has been chosen to be on the jury of various other international film festivals including the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, World Cinema Sundance Film Festival and the Singapore International Film Festival.
This was not the first time Finas’ rejection of funds drew controversy.
Only last month, Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan’s proposal for the film Angel of Sandakan, which depicts the Ranau-Sandakan Death March, had its application for a grant rejected.
Afdlin who was also baffled by the decision said it could be possible that his application was rejected due to his affiliation with PKR. – The Vibes, May 16, 2021
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