Kl Film Fest & Art Exhibition On Palestine

KL Film Fest & Art Exhibition on Palestine It’s been 60 years since the catastrophe or Nakba of Palestine and the cause is in risk of being forgotten by apathy as well as lethargy of sympathy. To confront this, Malaysian Social Research Institute (MSRI) organized KL Film Fest & Art Exhibition on Palestine with theme of rebuilding and reconstruction. It is held at the Annex Gallery, Central Market from 27 to 29 November 2008. Initially, the program is supposed to be officiated by Raja Ahmad Aminullah but couldn’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances. In goodwill, he arranged for Seniman Negara Dato’ Syed Ahmad Jamal to come instead. Tadzarul Adha, the MSRI Program Coordinator jokingly said that their name sounds similar enough. With his years and wisdom, the patriarch of art is able to give deeply personal and local perspective to the Palestinian conflict. He recalled the Japanese bombing of Singapore which is one of the darkest hours in our history. His family was forced to flee from home, bringing their belongings in a cart. He tasted what it meant to be a refugee for a short time and gravely reminds us that the Palestinians had been denied home for four generations. But his memory of war is not all gloom and despair as it is the time he first time he tasted capati. Given by a kind Punjabi, it is a reminder that despite all odds not all people are selfish. To close off his teary memoir, he recited a poem entitled ‘Moaning Women’. Dato’ Syed Ahmad Jamal also expressed his gratitude to all the participating artistes for supporting the event and their willingness to share 60 percent off the proceeds for Palestinian cause. Tadzarul Adha revealed that the call for submission was made on 25 October 2008 and MSRI is really grateful with the number of works contributed within such short notice. Suffering Children A painting entitled ‘60?’ by Syahrulfkiri Salled greets visitors entering the exhibition with its simple yet powerful image. Adorned with the colors of Palestinian flag, a boy shedding bloody tear starkly reminds the length of the conflict. To further emphasize the savagery of war on children, ‘Shattered Dreams’ by Ahmad Fuad Osman confronts the mutilation on a boy head on. His amputated legs, arm and a covered face signify how the conflict had curtailed the dreams of many Palestinians. Yet the boy is still holding fast to a superhero action figure, waiting for salvation. Hishamuddin Rais defied convention when he presented three Styrofoam coffins marked with Islam, Jew and Christian symbols. One of the artist’s children attending the program innocently touched the black coffins and it occurred to us that the small size indicates children perished in the conflict.

The presence of Jewish and Christian symbols is a telling that the Palestinian conflict is not simply a Muslim versus Jew issue. It is a conflict that made all who lives in the region suffer. Stamping the coffins with ‘Made In USA’ logo, it is clear who the artist blame the conflict for. Ray of Hope Knowing the suffering of Palestinians, it is natural for those who have gentle souls must wish to do something to help. Not just watching the events unfold through news helplessly. Concrete actions must be taken but most of time we can only pray. Such concern and restlessness is captured by Zaslan Zeeha Zainee with the painting ‘I Wish I Could Do More’. Seeking to move to a future beyond the conflict, Zulkiflee Zainal Abidin presented a painting of hands formed into a bird which move toward rays of light. ‘Beyond’ is such an apt title for the artwork. Pop Culture Infusion ‘Leonidas the Cat’ by Khairina Khairuddin attracted lots of attention during the exhibition. It depicts an angry cat wearing a Palestinian shawl, ready to pounce on a ball in Israeli flag colors. It is infused with reference to the comic and film franchise ‘300’ in which a small Spartan army led by Leonidas confronts the mighty Persian army. There’s no guessing who take the roles now. When asked who came up with the idea, Khairina credits it to his comic-loving husband. Pop culture references also appear in the form Ultraman figure held by the boy in ‘Shattered Dreams’ as well as a painting of a boy in a Superman suit. Encounter Point: Breaking the Cycle One of the feature film screened is Encounter Point produced by Just Vision. It highlights the double standard practice of Israeli authority. Passing through checkpoints is simply waving hands matter for the Israelis yet is pose a long queue for Palestinians. The film brought to attention about the Bereaved Families Forum which is participated by both Israelis and Palestinian who lost their family members in the crisis. It is comprised of 500 families, with equal numbers of Israelis and Palestinians. Some of the people interviewed are Robi Damelin of Israel who lost her son and Ali Abu Awwad who lost his brother. Each of them has the reason to hate the other side. But they realized the hate will only fuel the cycle of revenge. As such, they choose to break it and prevent further death.