Digital video cameras are not just for family gatherings, weddings and vacations.

For five women, including photo-journalist and Biology Major Ong Ju Lin of Malaysia, this handy gadget is the tool to promote human rights, social justice and equality.
The Freedom Film Festival (FFF) held in August 2005 awarded Ongs independent film Alice Lives Here as best film in the amateur section. The 20-minute documentary was the first venture into film-making by Ong (scriptwriter, director and cameraperson), Loh Yin San (production manager), Wong Yuen Mei (lecturer in gender studies), journalist Hillary Chiew, and Leow Mei Chern (singer/songwriter/soundtrack composer).

Sharon Kam, writer for Sun2Surf (an online Malaysian newsmagazine), reported that the team, dubbed Reel Power shot the film in a period of two weeks using an inexpensive digital video camera.  They wrapped up production in about four months.

Through interviews with residents from Broga, a small town 50 km off Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, the documentary showed community reactions to the building of a waste incinerator near their village.

The film is one of a growing number of independent films made by young Asians which address social ills and probe into issues traditionally deemed too sensitive to tackle, such as sex and Islam, race relations, discrimination, detention without trial, and homosexuality.

Inter Press Service correspondent Baradan Kuppusamy said that several factors have led to the rise of such indie films. These include dull mainstream movies, digital video technology, cheap (or pirated) film editing software, Malaysia's hi-tech drive, and cutting-edge computer skills among the youth.

According to Komas Director Anna Har, social activism is becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Komas is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that helps catalyse social change through multimedia forms.

Armed with a digital video camera, reusable tapes, an open mind, home computers and some cheap pirated editing software, many young filmmakers can make their own documentaries. IPS Kupppusamy reports that many film makers in Malaysia are graduates of the Multimedia University and are part of the Internet and digital revolution promoted by the government.

However, independent film production has its own share of problems. Unlike films shot on 35mm film stock, with complete props and lighting, final digital video films often are of low quality.  It is also more difficult to get sponsorships for controversial storylines and scripts. Screening in campuses, private halls, and foreign embassies typically limits the audience to students and social activists, said Kupussamy. Despite the deficiencies, FFF is able to give honour to such independent films in its efforts to promote social films that make an impact and raise important issues.

As Har said in Kams article, video is a powerful tool for social awareness and change. The power lies in how tools like cameras are usednot just for entertainment but to express a community's way of life. Kam cited plans to adapt Ongs award-winning documentary for international audiences.

With a wealth of social issues, young creative minds, some technological know-how, perhaps more stories like Alice Lives Here can cross over from independent film to mainstream cinema.

Sources:

Kam, S. (2006, August 26). The power in film activism.  Sun2SurfMalaysian Source for News & Lifestyle. Retrieved March 7, 2006 from <http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=10838>

Kuppusamy, B. (2006, February 28). Media-Malaysia: Saying it with indie films. InterPress Service News Agency.  Retrieved March 7, 2006 from <www.ipsnews.net/print.asp?idnews=32317>.