By Brian Kwan

Producer and director of production house Big Pictures, Brenda Danker has teamed up with fellow film maker Namron and Komas to create a feature film, ‘Gadoh’ that faces the racial discrimination issue head on

What made you decide to create ‘Gadoh’ to tackle the race issue?
Brenda Danker: Stories reach out to people of all ethnic and economic background. Since our target audience, the youth, is particularly engaged in film and music, it makes sense for us to use film to reach out to them!
    Initially, Gadoh was intended to be a short film. However, when we started developing the film, we realised that Gadoh has a greater potential as a feature film to engage the youth effectively. Issues such as identity, race and the public school system are some ‘touchy’ but important issues that need to be addressed.
    We felt that this film and the discussion sessions after the screening can provide a platform for the youth to voice out racial issues concerning them that could not be expressed elsewhere. We hope that by engaging them at this level, the youth will learn to articulate their perceptions about racial discrimination.

Namron: Racial issues are one of those deep-seated issues which is a spark waiting to be ignited anytime if it’s not corrected. Personally, I am against racist attitude because as human beings, we are all the same. It is only politics which differentiates us.

Do you think it is relevant now?
BD: Oh, extremely relevant! During our research, we conducted focus group discussions with secondary students. One student group sees racial gang fights in the school so often that it becomes a norm. We also found out that race based clubs and activities in the school divide these young people. Even their living areas are divided according to race.
     Many find it hard to discuss their feelings and frustrations openly because the social and education structure do not permit it. This is precisely the reason 'Gadoh' is produced! The film chooses to open up a safe space for youths and even adults, to discuss racial sentiments, to answer some very tough questions and hopefully in the process, reach some resolutions.
N: It will remain relevant for as long as this issue is not discussed in public and out in the open, and until all races have equal rights.

Have you experienced such situations?
BD: When I was in the local university, I realised that Bangsa Malaysia was not a concept shared by the university authority. I soon found out that that we were all treated differently and not as united as I perceived.
    My experiences in university and in my early working years made me questioned a lot. I had no outlet to discuss or address the frustration that was accumulated throughout the years. In the process, I was aware of my own racial prejudices as well.
    When I chose to be open and teachable, I became more aware and learnt along the way. I've come to terms with my identity as a Malaysian. My identity is not defined by the authority anymore but by own experiences with the people surrounding me, by my culture and by my family. I move on to treat everyone else as an individual, as my fellow countryman and no longer by their race but by their nationality, culture and their experiences in life.    

N: I’ve been to a school whereby the number of Malay and Chinese students was almost proportionate. And the students there are always involved in fights between races. It was to the extent that, even for the simplest reason such as accidently bumping into another’s shoulders. In most cases, this racist sentiment starts at home where they have been exposed to racial attitude towards other races. The deep rooted hate is the cause for the fights because we never discussed it out in the open. It all stems from prejudice.

What do you expect to achieve with ‘Gadoh’?
BD: I hope the youth will start thinking about their identity and specifically, the meaning of being a Malaysian.
    I hope they can openly discuss and not be afraid to ask questions from their hearts, regardless if it's about the education system, race or politics, or anything that matters to them.
    Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are rights that belong to the young. Also, I hope that this film will open their eyes to begin thinking critically and not to be complacent in their journey of life.

N: By thinking of ways on how to overcome this problem instead of continuously denying by saying that we’re ‘ok’.

Will there be follow up to this film?
BD: Yes! We will have nationwide screening, working with different groups in different states. These screenings are especially for the youth. But of course, all are welcomed.
    There will also be facilitated workshops discussing racial issues with students. We hope to have an online forum discussing racial issues affecting them. You can even watch Gadoh online after its launch in May.

N: It’s up to our producer. Personally, I will continue to explore this issue in my own future works.

Keep up to date with ‘Gadoh’ via www.komas.org/gadoh or catch it on its launch, May 22.