Malaysian theatrical politics

On which direction the nation is moving towards is a guess that will not falter in any sense.

COMMENT

In the good old days, I watched Tom and Jerry, Road Runner and alike on television for entertainment, as cinemas (or rather called theatres in those days) were a luxury. A weekend outing to the theatre was basically to watch Hindi films that took three hours off your life at each visit.

No wonder we remember their plots so well even to-date without much effort.

But today, I amuse myself with Malaysian theatrical politics. Open any news; if you call so, and it puts a smile on your face. The daily dose comes from the evergreen Barisan Nasional government and followed closely by its villain called Pakatan Rakyat.

And like any typical Bollywood art piece, you must have the comedians thrown in. This role is superbly played and led by Perkasa and the uncountable number of non-governmental organisations.

Alas, not to forget the ultra rogues who outwit the intelligence of the average person, i.e. the criminals.

With the near perfect blend of characters, we have put to shame Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra and even Datuk Shah Rukh Khan. We have Najib, Anwar, Ibrahim Ali, Rosmah and the ghost of deceased Altantuya in the cinematically charged saga that has evolved into a magnetic soap opera with re-runs over the years.

What have we not?

Mysterious deaths involving C4, untraceable guns and ammunition, mafia like killings in broad day light, convulated kidnapping cases, border infringements, illicit drugs, corruption conspiracies, scandals, sodomies, racial and religious discomfort, street protests, unwarranted speeches, comical reactions and above all a flaccid parliament.

Plenty of court drama as the seasoning. An ideal “masala-mix” that guarantees to satisfy every palate.

Najib being the superhero currently has gone into hiding literally, as the heat of events unfolding around the nation overtakes the race in all media channels. He may be in the recharging mode to launch missiles soon, since the mother of all parties, Umno, is to convene its election around the corner.

On which direction the nation is moving towards is a guess that will not falter in any sense.

Take your pick. The villains are having a field day lambasting Najib from all directions but like a typical Bollywood hero, he seems to be ducking every bullet and sword hurled to him.

Accompanied with multiple summersaults and using his bodyguards, Najib and his love are merrily jetting around the world without a scratch.

Our political environment post-GE 13 is nothing short of a couple running around the garden singing praises of each other. Except here, the two major parties seem to be running and skipping on thorny beds with the roses having lost its color and scent.

Stale and stinking will best fit the current scenario. We are at the episode where comedians are on the run seeking applauds from the audience. Everybody is tired and anticipating Najib to hover his might over the nation and pull it out of the doldrums.

Will he be the shining knight jumping out of an armored carriage soon or will he further hibernate in the summers of Putrajaya?

Reeling out is the opposition who seem to be playing all the musical instruments to rhyme with the songs. They have panoramic eye sight and nothing escapes their vision, no matter how minute or microscopic.

They beat the living daylights out of every issue, be it positive, negative or neutral. They super charge everything to hilt and “carnivalise” issues to the entertainment of its audience.

Has there been any tangible outcome or are we, the public, merely being brought to a musical chair party with the finishing of playing charades?

Our economy is constipated. Crime is in “diarrhoeatic” state. And social bonds among different communities are fast evaporating.

From being a melting pot that once we boasted about, we have soured the broth in every aspect. The ordinary man-on-the-street is merely being entertained with a very heavy price for the ticket.

A movie that has gone terribly wrong and twisted; from its original script. The founding fathers of Malaysia had a different dream and trajectory for the nation.

The audience is being short-changed blatantly and the irony is that there are no refunds for bad movies. Once taken its gone.

Self-claimed movie critic

Of late we have abundant of self acclaimed “movie” critics. Some are constructive and sincere in realigning the story line but some are clearly tainted with ulterior motives.

A good director needs the backing of financially savvy producer, cameraman, light man, dance choreographer; fight coordinator, an effective security around its shooting location, singers and above all a splendid editing team.

Looks like there is an acute need to fill all this vacancies in our movie before it goes nightmarishly wrong that may fit only for theatres in Timbuktoo!

To avoid boredom and mundane story line, there is now a sudden resurrection of Tun, the previous Godfather, as Amitabh did in “Sarkar” (political overlord).

Whipping out his razor sharp writing and oratory maneuvering, Tun just craves to be part of the silver screen again. Plainly put, he is disgusted to the core with the current lead actors and co stars.

His philosophy of a movie is out of the world which befits alien nations. The director, producer, financiar, hero, comedian, composer, lyricists and singer must be a one man show. Only then you can hold the audience long enough to be glued to their chairs.

Tickets are priced for premium four dimension cinemas and honey-laced popcorn comes free; far more during festivities.

No doubt, Tun won mountain full of Oscars and accolades not only locally but universally too for being the avatar for 22 years or so. Nevertheless in his movies, there was never a place for heroines unlike today and he practiced zero tolerance on issues that were not straight sexually.

The making of a new movie is always easier but undoing and retaking a messed and ruffled reel is a daunting task.

We shall wait the “awakening” of the new making. Notwithstanding the downgrading of our masterpiece in acclaimed academies, even sleeping beauty is jumping wagon from Hollywood to get the feel of the happenings.

Silence in no longer bliss. Revealing interviews with sensational intertwining stories that got shelved many years are now resurfacing.

The battle is eagerly being anticipated between “Sarkar” and “Sleeping Beauty”. It may well be known as the hybrid movie which can make or break our superhero if he continues keeping his vocal cords at rest.

Narinder Singh is a FMT team member.