Anwar Ibrahim allowed himself to shed tears only once during his incarceration. This was when his mother died in April 2001.
“…I really couldn't control it.
“The other times I had to smile through my tears," he recalled at the premiere of the movie “Anwar: The Untold Story”.
The prime minister admitted that it was difficult for him to comment on a movie about himself because there were many scenes that depicted moments that he would prefer to forget.
"It is difficult for me to review the film because there are episodes in my life that I want to forget because it is very painful,” he said, adding that his wife and children also had to bear the burden.
Anwar was speaking to reporters after watching a screening of the movie at a shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur last night.
His wife former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were also present.
Although it was “difficult” to watch certain scenes, Anwar praised director Viva Westi’s work as “extraordinary”.
A story that needs to be told
The prime minister said Viva, who won best director at the 2008 Indonesian Film Festival, was able to summarise the story of his 23-year life journey into a script lasting about 90 minutes.
He expressed that both he and his wife were touched by the depiction.
“Although there is a lot of dialogue during these incidents, not 100 percent can be kept in memory.
"It is based on events that happened decades ago, but shortened to a two-hour show, which is not easy.
"Still, this is a public secret that should be told,” he said, while also praising the cinematography.
The movie depicts part of Anwar’s life journey as deputy prime minister and finance minister before he was removed from the government and eventually jailed during the premiership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
It also shows the steps the PKR president took to deal with the issue of corruption in the country.
‘Biopic can clear negative views’
Although only a small portion of Anwar's life story was depicted, Wan Azizah described the biopic as a medium that could clear negative perceptions cast upon her husband for decades.
She expressed her appreciation towards Viva for showcasing Anwar’s arduous political journey from minister to political prisoner.
"This is not just a documentary, but it paints a little picture of how our life used to be.
“This film can also clear Anwar’s image, who was portrayed as a criminal and immoral prisoner for 23 years.
“I believe this film can counter it all, God willing,” the former deputy prime minister said.
A commitment to artistic freedom
The film produced by Bianglala Entertainment which cost RM10 million will be shown in cinemas nationwide from May 18.
Several guests, including political figures, creative industry activists and celebrities such as Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, were also present at the premiere last night.
Siti Nurhaliza is also the singer of the film's theme song “Menjaga Cintamu’”.
The film stars Farid Kamil Zahari who plays the title character, Hasnul Rahmat as Mahathir, Acha Septriasa (Wan Azizah), Saskia Chadwick (Nurul Izzah), Dewi Irawan (Anwar's mother) and Piet Pagau (Anwar's father).
Meanwhile, Anwar said he gave Viva space to tell the story freely.
"I gave the producer the right to be free and more creative because this is art, we should give it a chance even if there is dialogue some might find offensive.
"I do not plan to edit this work because I believe we should give space for debate,” he added.
Anwar said he also informed the National Film Development Corporation that the principle is that art should be free for creativity to flourish.
"If it's true - go ahead, because otherwise, we can't raise the dignity of art when it's too constricted and bound by censorship," he said. - Mkini
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