Two documentaries by Curtin Sarawak students in ‘Top Ten Films’ for Program Karyawan Muda finals

Second time Curtin student films to be featured on national television

Miri, 17 March 2009 – Two documentaries made by final-year Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication) students of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia have been shortlisted in the Top Ten Films of the documentary category for the finals of RTM’s Program Karyawan Muda film competition.

The two documentaries entitled Irama Tradisional directed by Stephanie Keh Chee Lu and Asi directed by Edwin Liew were originally produced as assignments for a film and television production unit at Curtin Sarawak. They were later entered in RTM’s national-level Program Karyawan Muda film competition open to all Malaysians.

Irama Tradisional explores the aspirations of a Sarawakian musician with a passion for collecting and learning traditional Southeast Asian musical instruments. Asi, meanwhile,documents the traditional process of rice production in the rural context of the Iban longhouse in Sarawak.

Both Irama Tradisional and Asi can be previewed online at http://s44937.p1679.sites.pressdns.com/campusnews/mediarelease/2008/PR_08-53.htm. Members of the public can vote for their three favourite films amongst the ten contenders in the documentary category via short messaging system (SMS) to 32776. To vote for Irama Tradisional, type “DOKUMENTARI<space>Muzik<space>Asi<space>film title no.3”, and to vote for Asi, type “DOKUMENTARI<space>Asi<space>Muzik<space>film title no.3”.

More details about public voting (with prizes to be won) can be obtained online at Program Karyawan Muda’s official website at http://www.karyawanmuda.com.my/, or by watching the show every Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm on RTM1. The competition winners are expected to be announced during a live telecast on RTM1.

“This is a significant achievement for Curtin Sarawak as it is the second time that documentaries by our Mass Communication students are featured on national television. It also happens to be the first time that two films from Curtin Sarawak have been shortlisted simultaneously out of hundreds of entries in the same category of a national-level film competition,” said Rama Venkatasawmy, Film & Television Lecturer in the university’s Department of Mass Communication and project supervisor for the two films.

According to Rama, four of Curtin Sarawak’s Mass Communication students won the AFP Special Jury Award for “Best Cinematography” (Anugerah Khas Juri – Sinematografi Terbaik) at RTM’s Short Film Competition (Anugerah Filem Pendek) in 2007 for their documentary film entitled Nenek Inyak, a poignant real-life story of a loving grandmother and her 11-year-old grand-daughter surviving in a rubbish dump.

“All these achievements re-affirm the very high standard of filmmaking expertise at Curtin Sarawak, and I’m very proud of our students’ efforts. This will spur more hard work to achieve wider recognition in the years to come,” added Rama.

“Irama Tradisional” production crew (from L to R): Amy Cheong, Karen Kuok, Rama Venkatasawmy, Stephanie Keh & Jasmine Wong.

“Asi” production crew (from L to R): Peter Jamba, Edwin Liew, Rama Venkatasawmy, Clara Cherrie Kana.