Annexe: CREATIVES, POWER, SECRET

THE ANNEXE MEEKLY
Sat 30 Sep to Mon 5 Oct 2009

THIS WEEK in meek:
CORBIS CREATIVES BEHIND THE LENS on 30 Sep & 1 Oct!
FREEDOM FILM FEST 2009 returns on 2 to 4 Oct
MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE presents SECRET LOVE IN PEACH BLOSSOM LAND on 5 Oct!

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CORBIS CREATIVES BEHIND
THE LENS ASIA 2009
Photography Exhibition – Two days only


Havana Man Enjoys Rum and Cigar, by Rupert England

Wed 30 Sep & Thu 1 Oct, 11am to 8pm
Presented by Corbis Corporation
Admission Free

Corbis’ Creatives Behind the Lens is a photography competition first started in Europe in 2006. Partnering with D&AD and Creative Review respectively, creatives from Paris and London competed on their photographic talents. In 2009, Corbis brings this exciting photography competition to Asia, inviting anyone working in the creative and publishing industries to submit up to three photographs. Close to 1,000 entries were received. The pictures were judged first by a local panel of esteemed industry professionals in China, Hong Kong and South Asia, and then by a regional panel including Jens de Gruyter, Vice President of Creative Photography, Corbis; Bentham Liu, Chairman, Greater China of Conde Nast and Tay Guan Hin, Regional Executive Director JWT. Submissions were reviewed for their creativity and visual impact.

The winning images have so far been in exhibitions in Shanghai and Hong Kong in August and September and will be published in a Creatives Behind the Lens book. The competition is supported by several prominent media partners including AdAsia, Campaign Brief Asia, China Advertising, Milk X Magazine, Market Builder Media and Longyin Review.

Click here for more information.
Click here for the online gallery.
Email: asiacbtl@corbis.com

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FREEDOM FILM FEST 2009
Film Screening



Fri 2 Oct to Sun 4 Oct
Check schedule below for screening times
Presented by KOMAS
Admission Free but with conditions, please refer below*

Back for its sixth edition, the annual KOMAS Freedom Film Festival will be screening yet another harvest of local and international documentary feature and short films dealing with the topic of human rights, social and environmental justice. Held in four cities this year – KL, Penang, Kuching and Johor Bharu – FFF adopts the themes encompassed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which express our aspirations for genuine justice, peace, equality and democracy. Most of the screenings will include Q&A sessions with the filmmakers.

Among the highlights of this year’s FFF includes the premiere of the three winning documentaries of FFF2009’s Justin Louis Award. This year the winners are “Al-Fatehah Memali” by Rahmat Haron, “No Silver Lining: The Perak Crisis” by The S-ploited, and “Kayuh” by Soh Sook Hwa. The winners have been selected by panel of judges Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, Haris Ibrahim, Fiona Lawson-Baker and Anna Har.

For more info: http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org


HOW TO GET YOUR FREE FFF PASSES

For inquiries and reservations of passes, please email freedomfilmfest@komas.org or call 017-3749887, with the following information:

1. Name
2. Tel
3. Email
4. Title of film/time of session that you would like to watch
5. Number of passes needed
6. In which state (KL, PG, JB, or KUCHING)

FFF will be held in four cities this year: KL, Penang, Kuching and Johor Bharu.

2-4 OCTOBER 2009, The Annexe Gallery, Central Market KL
9-11 OCTOBER 2009, Han Chiang College, Penang
23-25 OCTOBER, Sekolah Menengah Chung Hua No.1, Kuching
30 OCTOBER-1 NOVEMBER, Tropical Inn, Johor Bharu

Disclaimer:
The selection of films and program of the festival are the sole responsibilities of the organising committee of the Freedom Film Fest. The venue providers are not involved in this process of selection and cannot be held accountable.


FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Don’t forget to catch the festival highlights!

COMMUNITY VIDEO FORUM & SCREENINGS (Friday, 3.30-6.30pm)
Community Video Forum & Showcase will be a sharing session of experiences and video showcases between community filmmakers and activists from Malaysia and around the SEA region who use video for community organising. Pre-registration required as seats are limited. Priority to NGO and community activists.

LAUNCH CEREMONY & OPENING FILM (Friday, 8 pm)
The 6th FreedomFilmFest2009 will be launched with the screening of AT STAKE, a brave and eye-opening documentary tackling taboo issues faced by Indonesian women. This anthology covers issues of female genital mutilation, unmarried women’s experiences at the gynecologist, prostitution, and the sexuality of a migrant worker. Producer NIA DINATA, who is the director of the movie “Berbagi Suami” and also a renowned Indonesian feminist will be present in KL for Q&A session after the screening.

PREMIERE OF FFF2009 WINNING FILMS!
(Saturday, 7pm)

AL-FATEHAH MEMALI by Rahmat Haron
This film portrays the journey of singer-songwriters, Black and Meor, trying to comprehend a massacre that happened in 1985 in Kg. Memali, Kedah. Their journey brings them to the village where they meet survivors and witnesses of the tragedy to uncover a forgotten story of injustice for most of Malaysia, but one forever etched in the hearts of those in Memali.

KAYUH by Soh Sook Hwa
This film is a first-hand account of a 100-strong contingent of cyclists in the JERIT cycling campaign who rode from Alor Setar and Johor Baharu to Kuala Lumpur for 16 days in order to address 6 major concerns of marginalized groups in Malaysia.

NO SILVER LINING: THE PERAK CRISIS by The S-ploited
What happens when “frogs” jump over to the other side? In Perak, when 3 elected representatives of the Pakatan Rakyat ‘hopped” over to become BN friendly, it started a political wrestling match for power between the two opposing political alliance.


No Silver Lining: The Perak Crisis

FULL SCREENING SCHEDULE

FRI 2 OCT

3.30pm
COMMUNITY VIDEO FORUM & SCREENINGS
*Pre-registration required as seats are limited. Priority to NGO and community activists.

8pm
FREEDOM FILM FEST LAUNCH
AT STAKE – Screening followed by Q&A with producer Nia Dinata
by Iwan Setiawan & Muhammad Ichsan / Lucky Kuswandi / Ucu Agustin / Ani Ema Susanti

SAT 3 OCT

11.30am to 1.30pm
KONGSI DALAM GELAP by Melissa Saila
HIDE AND SEEK by Lim Hendry
HALF SOCIAL, HALF INDIVIDUAL by Mohammad Reza Shams
8760 JAM PASCA 8 MAC by Ahmad Mukhlis Bashah / Fariz Zainudin

2pm
DI BAWAH LANGIT by Fiqtriey-al Haqimiey
WHY DEMOCRACY IS BETTER? by Mat Blackwell

2.30pm
OUTFOXED by Robert Greenwald

4pm
BURMA VJ by Anders Østergaard
ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND by Choon Hiong Ho

7pm
FFF AWARDS NIGHT AND SCREENINGS

NO SILVER LINING: THE PERAK CRISIS – Recipient of FFF2009 Justin Louis Award
by The S-ploited

AL-FATEHAH MEMALI – Recipient of FFF2009 Justin Lois Award
by Rahmat Haron

KAYUH – Recipient of FFF2009 Justin Louis Award
by Soh Sook Hwa

SUN 4 OCT

11am
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION by Faisal Mustaffa
FLOW by Irena Salina
WATER by Dominic Allen

2pm
DELAYING JUSTICE by Hillary Chiew
ORANG ASLI YOUTH IN THE MOMENT by Lesly Leon Lee

5pm
PRISONERS OF A WHITE GOD by Steve Tichtag

8pm
IN CONVERSATION WITH SUZY by Hazuan Hashim / Phil Maxwell
JIHAD FOR LOVE by Parvez Sharma

Click here for the full synopses of the films.

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SECRET LOVE IN PEACH BLOSSOM LAND
Selected & Introduced by Liew Seng Tat
Film Screening



Mon 5 Oct, 8pm
Presented by The Annexe Gallery
Admission Free, bring your own snacks

Monday Night Movie is a series of monthly film screenings at The Annexe Gallery, with titles chosen and introduced by guest curators. Our fourth title is “暗戀桃花源” (Secret Love In Peach Blossom Land) (1992) selected and introduced by Malaysian filmmaker Liew Seng Tat.

Running time: 103 mins. Mandarin with English subtitles.

“Secret Love In Peach Blossom Land” is a Taiwanese film written and directed by Stan Lai, featuring Christopher Doyle as director of photography. It’s a gentle comedy about two theatrical troupes who find themselves in a pithy battle for the same rehearsal space. The two plays being rehearsed and the actors – one a period bawdy satire, the other a contemporary political romantic tragedy – at first seem as though they could never meet eye-to-eye. But through a series of mishaps that reveal the inadequacies and pretentions of both plays, the collision between the two plays results in something much more meaningful and magical.

Stan Lai is a highly influential award winning US-born Taiwan-based playwright and theatre director, also known for his award-winning feature films. He has been described by the BBC as “probably the best Chinese language playwright and director in the world” and his plays have been performed throughout the Chinese-speaking world. He is the writer and director of “Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land”, often touted as the most successful contemporary Chinese play. The film version of the play won the Caligari Prize at the Forum, Berlin (1992); the Best Picture and Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival (1993); and Singapore Film Festival (1993).

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Liew Seng Tat has been actively involved in the Malaysian independent film scene since 2003. In 2004, he set up Da Huang Pictures with Amir Muhammad, James Lee, and Tan Chui Mui. In 2007, his first feature film “Flower In The Pocket” made its world premiere at the 12th Pusan International Film Festival and won the New Currents and the KNN Audience Awards. The film has also won the VPRO Tiger Award at the 37th International Film Festival Rotterdam 2008, "Le Regard d’Or" (Golden Gaze) Award at the 22nd Fribourg International Film Festival 2008, and the Jury prize (Lotus du Jury) at the 10th Deauville Asian Film Festival 2008. He is currently working on a film script called “In What City Does It Live”.

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GALLERY FOR HIRE!
The Annexe Gallery is available for hire. For exhibitions, performances, screenings, talks, forums, launches, etc.
Click here for our rental rates.

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Make a date with De-lovely Annexe!

BLUE WEDNESDAY featuring Ray Cheong + Vandal The Urban Camper on 7 Oct!
NO REFUGE: A Photo Exhibition of Burmese Refugees In Malaysia starts Wed 15 Oct!

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TimeOut KL is proud to be the official media sponsor of The Annexe Gallery.

For enquiries, please call:
Pang Khee Teik (Arts Programme Director): 012 305 1135
Jerome Kugan (Media Manager): 016 802 7347
Lim Chung Wei (Arts Manager): 012 207 5140

The Annexe Gallery
1st & 2nd Floor, Central Market Annexe
Jalan Hang Kasturi
Kuala Lumpur
Tel +603-2070 1137
www.annexegallery.com

ART FOR GRABS RAYA SPECIAL!

ANNEXE, CENTRAL MARKET
THE ANNEXE MEEKLY
Sat 26 & Sun 27 Sep 2009

ART FOR GRABS RAYA SPECIAL!
Arts & Crafts Bazaar + more!


Sat 26 & Sun 27 Sep, 12pm to 8pm
Presented by The Annexe Gallery & Central Market
Admission Free

Celebrate your Raya with your friendly neighbourhood artists at Art For Grabs. Experience our kenduri of creativity, where colours and coolness unravel like a well-peeled ketup-art. What better way to spend your duit Raya? All arty stuff under RM100 each!

ADVISORY: Please be advised that the Central Market carpark will be closed for the whole day on Saturday 26 September for the CM Annual Lantern Festival. Parking will be available at Dayabumi and other areas near CM.

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PENTAS RAYA

Presenting our programme of fringe events during our Art For Grabs Raya weekend! Featuring Nurul Izzah Anwar, Farish Noor, 15Malaysia, Filmmakers Anonymous, The Lost Poets, Troubadours, and more!
All events are FREE except where indicated.

SAT 26 SEP

12pm – HANG TUAH THE PACIFIST: DECONSTRUCTING OUR HEROES
Lecture by Dr Farish A. Noor

2pm – POETRY SELL OUT
Spoken Word & Poetry Performance

4pm – REFORMASI GENERATION SPEAKS
Forum & Book Launch

6pm – FILMMAKERS ANONYMOUS 11: WOMEN IN LOVE
Film Screening

SUN 27 SEP

12pm – TANGERIN & NIKOTIN
Reading & Book Launch

3pm –15MALAYSIA
Film Screening

5pm – AZMYL, SEI HON & JEROME LIVE!
Music Performance

6pm – GADOH
Film Screening

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PENTAS RAYA Full Schedule
All events are FREE except where indicated.

SAT 26 SEP

12pm
HANG TUAH THE PACIFIST: DECONSTRUCTING OUR HEROES
Lecture by Dr Farish A. Noor
Presented by The Other Malaysia & The Annexe Gallery

For too long the legendary character of Hang Tuah has been cast primarily as a warrior in the service of the state, and adopted by ethno-nationalist ideologues as a symbol of nationalism that denies our cultural connectivity with others. Dr Farish Noor looks at the Hikayat Hang Tuah in its entirety and consider how the second half of the Hikayat revises and deconstructs the character of Hang Tuah, by representing him as a cosmopolitan rational agent endowed with free will and a keen interest in other cultures and societies. We will show that the intention of the Hikayat Hang Tuah is to open up the minds of the readers, to preach a doctrine of non-violence and to sow a sense of universal love for a common humanity instead. Hang Tuah was indeed a hero, but only because he was a man of peace who ultimately renounces the ways of power and violence.

Click here for more info on OtherMalaysia.

2pm
POETRY SELL OUT
Spoken Word & Poetry Performance
Presented by The Lost Poets

A spoken word poetry event without boundaries, tickets or cultural coercion featuring a random collection of KL-based poets, rappers, writers and performing artists either working for their art or working at it. Including Poetry Slam seductresses, Sheena Baharudin and Kathleen Choo, Lost Poets, Afi Momo, Illya Shariya and Elaine Foster (also Poetry Slam KL Champs), poetry open mic giggers Sharief Manjur and Jamal Raslan Abdul Jalil and many more! Want to spread the word? Join us in during our open mic session. Word!

4pm
REFORMASI GENERATION SPEAKS
Forum & Book Launch
Presented by REFSA

The future belongs to the young, needless to say. And they want a bright future. Since Malaysia's older generation has failed to provide for that future, the country's young has to secure it for themselves. Liew Chin Tong, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Hannah Yeoh will speak on their own perspectives about what they feel and where the country is heading from their own perspectives. The book “Speaking For The Reformasi Generation” by Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong will also be launched.

Click here for more info.

6pm
FILMMAKERS ANONYMOUS 11: WOMEN IN LOVE
Film Screening
Presented by FA Herstory Films Project

Women filmmakers explore and showcase their stories of love, sex and desire for this special FA. Herstory Films Project wishes to launch this space to share your love story, be it fairytale or forbidden, proudly or anonymously. Premiering Mien.ly’s film “2 Boys, 2 Girls and A Beat Up Car”. Also featuring films from Margaret Bong, Juliane Block and more!

Click here for more info.

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SUN 27 SEP

12pm
TANGERIN & NIKOTIN
Reading & Book Launch

Presented by Sang Freud Press
New poetry book “Tangerin & Nikotin” by Mimi Morticia.

3pm
15MALAYSIA
Film Screening
Presented by Time Out KL

*Admission with free voucher in Time Out KL September issue!

Produced by the same people that made MAFU (Malaysian Artistes For Unity), 15MALAYSIA consists of 15 short films directed by 15 young filmmakers in Malaysia. Most of the selected filmmakers have won international film awards from major festivals around the world and represent the core of what is known internationally as the Malaysian ‘New Wave’ filmmakers. The cast consists of numerous celebrities, actors, musicians – and most refreshingly – high profile and often controversial politicians. Taken together, the films represent a broad spectrum of filmmaking voices in Malaysia today.

Directors include Yasmin Ahmad, Ho Yuhang, James Lee, Tan Chui Mui, Amir Muhammad, Liew Seng Tat, Nam Ron, Benji Lim & Bahir Yeusuff, Khairil Bahar, Johan John, Woo Ming Jin, Suleiman Brothers, Linus Chung, Kamal Sabran and Desmond Ng. Cast include Khairy Jamaluddin, Nik Aziz, Liow Tiong Lai, Tian Chua, Zaid Ibrahim, Adibah Noor, Bront Palarae, Namewee, Atilia, Serena Choong, Amber Chia, Jay Menon, Sharifah Amani, Hon Kahoe, Jason Lo, Harith Iskandar, Patrick Teo, Daphne Iking, Sarah Lian, Nam Ron, Ciplak, Azmyl Yunor, Ida Nerina, Lorna Hoong, Baki Zainal, Nick Dorian and many others.

Click here for more info.

5pm
AZMYL, SEI HON & JEROME LIVE!
Music Performance
Presented by Troubadours Enterprise

Singer songwriters and Troubadours founders Azmyl Yunor, Tan Sei Hon and Jerome Kugan perform together for the first time since 2007, in a preview gig for this year’s KL Sing Song happening from 30 Oct to 1 Nov. Catch Azmyl the punk folker, Sei Hon the acoustic ah beng, and Jerome the pink spirit perform a mix of new and old original songs in their own inimitable style. Not to be missed!

6pm
GADOH
Film Screening
Presented by KOMAS

“Gadoh” is a film that tells a story of a group of teenagers beset by racial tensions further escalated by their environment and school system. In the ensuing aftermath, one teacher ropes in the help of an old friend and reluctant maverick theatre activist to deal with the bigotry. Is there hope amid the cycle of discrimination that surrounds us? Directed by Brenda Danker and Nam Ron. Starring Nam Ron, Nick Davis, Zahiril Adzim, Amerul Affendi and Maya Tan Abdullah.

Click here for more info.

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GALLERY FOR HIRE!
The Annexe Gallery is available for hire. For exhibitions, performances, screenings, talks, forums, launches, etc.
Click here for our rental rates.

+ + + +

Make a date with De-lovely Annexe!

FREEDOM FILM FEST returns on Fri 2 to Sun 4 Oct!

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE on 5 Oct with Liew Seng Tat’s favourite flick!

NO REFUGE: A Photo Exhibition of Burmese Refugees In Malaysia starts Wed 15 Oct!

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TimeOut KL is proud to be the official media sponsor of The Annexe Gallery.

The Annexe Gallery is supported by Central Market Sdn Bhd.

For enquiries, please call:
Pang Khee Teik (Arts Programme Director): 012 305 1135
Jerome Kugan (Media Manager): 016 802 7347
Lim Chung Wei (Arts Manager): 012 207 5140

The Annexe Gallery
1st & 2nd Floor, Central Market Annexe
Jalan Hang Kasturi
Kuala Lumpur
Tel +603-2070 1137
www.annexegallery.com

Fast for the Nation. Peace for Malaysia 2009 Share

"Fast for the Nation, Peace for the Nation 2009" Core Group
http://peace4msia.blogspot.com/

Dear friends,
A few friends met up some days ago and in talking about events that have happened in the country in the past year, came up with this idea: what if on Malaysia Day we all fast for peace for our nation? The idea grew into a plan and now, it has become a nationwide call for action.

"Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia" is our response to this call. Please read below and join us:


Malaysia is a peaceful country and it should remain that way forever. Acts of Violence and inciting hatred must have no place in our public life.

Unfortunately, too many cruelties and injustices have happened since the nation’s last birthday.

It is tempting to slip into despair or become revengeful. Let us turn our anger and sadness into a positive force for change.

This September 16, let us all combine our efforts to present a meaningful gift for Malaysia on her 46th birthday.

Let us be united in one single action. Let us all fast from dawn to dusk for peace in this blessed land. Let the Muslims amongst us fast with a specific prayer for peace for the nation. Let the Baha'is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Taoists, followers of other spiritual traditions and atheists amongst us fast in solidarity and the same determination for peace.

Let our common experience of hunger and human weakness humble, strengthen and unite us.

Let us offer a hospitable smile to people we know and especially to those we don’t.

Let us perform one extra act of kindness while fasting on this Malaysia day.

Let us show our love and compassion for each other.

Let Malaysia be a better country on her 46th birthday and every day after.

Let Malaysia be truly happy and peaceful this September 16.

And so we fast.
. . . . . . to make room for peace!


Things you can do and How do you join?:

1. Sign up.
- e-mail your pledge to fast on Sept 16, 2009, to: peace4malaysia09@gmail.com.
or SMS to 016-9707966
or leave a comment at http://peace4msia.blogspot.com/
(If you want, you may include your age and location)
or sign the petition here http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/peace4msia/

2. Forward this e-mail to your circle of friends, family and colleagues. Please try to get your friends and family from outside the Klang Valley to sign up as well

3. Come to the press conference to announce this initiative: Friday, 11am, Sept 11, 2009, at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

4. Break fast (or have the pre-fast meal) together wherever your location is and send pics and caption to: peace4malaysia09@gmail.com

Here are the standard recommendations which you may modify according to your preferences, medical conditions and other circumstances.

• Get a group of at least three people.

• Have your pre-fast meal together before dawn (e.g. before 5.35am for Muslims*). The meal is preferably vegetarian to be inclusive to all.

• Carry out your daily duties and tasks as usual.

• Smile and do an extra act of kindness to people around you or afar.

• Share your message of peace with every curious person.

• Break your fast together after dusk(e.g. after 7.25 pm for Muslims*). The meal is preferably vegetarian to be inclusive to all.

• Share your experience, feeling and thought in this national fasting exercise with more people, in every possible way.

Plotting goodness with friends,
Sivin Kit
On behalf of
"Fast for the Nation, Peace for the Nation 2009" Core Group

MJ is dead!

I was checking my email this morning and the news came to me in a flashing link. I cannot say I am completely torn apart by this news but some part of me is sad and somber.

Youth born after the 80s will never really understand us 30+ people's feelings about MJ because they never lived during the heyday of his reign as the indisputable king of pop. I still remember the time when he won something like 8 Grammys and he could not really carry all those 8 golden gramaphones when he had his photo sessions. I remember his thank you speeches--all 8 of them--where he always thanked his mom and dad and God, even though his dad used to psychologically and emotionally abuse him as a kid.

MJ was a messed up boy and his scars live on in his scandals. To be honest, I never really believed he maliciously intended to do the things he did to little boys. I don't know him of course but he came across as a musical genius with a really screwed up sense of himself. The more famous he got, the more he retreated into his crazy world, Neverland and never growing up.

He is dead at 50 but he's still a boy. I was not surprised to read Quincy Jones saying he lost his "little brother" because that was exactly what MJ was for all of his life: "little" in terms of his maturity level, sense of right and wrong, ability to deal with what fame had to dish out. He may have been "big" in the biz, made "big" bucks and made "big" records that scored "big" hits but in all the most important areas of his life, he was "little" and suffered for it.

Some might disagree and think I am being too empathetic but I grew up with MJ, I listened to his records, I obssessed over his dance moves (not the crotch grabbing but the moonwalk and if you have no idea what the moonwalk is then you really must be young!) and tried to copy them without much success (heh!), I read about him in all the teen rags, I put up his poster in my room, I had a photo of him (when he still looked black and had an Afro hairdo) in my wallet, and one of my best friends in Form 5 (Rachel--wherever you are--I bet you are sad too) and I used to sing his songs in school and talk about him endlessly.

I remember sitting outside Horizon Music Store (now since defunct) in the old Jaya Supermarket (now demolished and no longer affording me the chunk of nostalgia I need to get over MJ's demise) in Section 14 and waiting an hour for the new MJ album, BAD, to be released. My parents thought I was nuts and yeah, I guess I was. I wanted to be the first to get it--first among my peers at least.

MJ was my Elvis Presley, my Beatles, my boy band, my icon-of-the-moment. And he stayed that way for decades.

Even though he changed from black to white (that song of his in the album of a similar name is eeriely prescient) and was embroiled in a whole host of crazy scandals, even though he got married and divorced and was disparaged in the media, even though he probably died alone and unloved, MJ will always have a special place in my heart because he is emblematic of a time in my youth which is now long past.

People my age are always nostalgic. MJ fuels that in spades. Rest in peace bro.

M'sia's response

taken from the Star, as expected M'sia like they always do responded in the only way they know.

Why are we on US blacklist?

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will get the United States to explain why it has been re-listed in its blacklist of countries perceived to be not doing enough to stop human trafficking, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said ministry officials would visit the US Embassy to determine Malaysia’s offending act or “non-action” that led for it to be blacklisted.

While imposing economic sanctions would not have an impact in view of the present climate, he said “it is incumbent on us to address the issue because we have a responsibility to the international community as far as human trafficking is concerned.”

“In fact, Malaysia, Australia and Britain are exploring the possibility of having an agreement on human trafficking to show our commitment in dealing with the issue,” Hishammuddin said after chairing his ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting here yesterday.

The United States Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2009 listed Malaysia as one of 17 countries not doing enough to stop human trafficking.

The others are Myanmar, Chad, Cuba, Eritrea, Fiji, Iran, Kuwait, Mauritania, Niger, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, and Zimbabwe.

The report said Malaysia was a destination, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial, sexual and forced labour.

Last year, the report elevated Malaysia to a “watch list” from the 2007 blacklist after finding that it was “making significant efforts” to comply with standards.

Tenaganita director Dr Irene Fernandez said the report was a fair account of Malaysia’s “limited efforts” in trying to stem labour trafficking, which she described as a form of slavery.

“For the last 15 years, we have cautioned that allowing employers to withhold workers’ passports opens them to exploitation and bondage but this has not been addressed,” she said.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusof said the ministry would spearhead an inter-ministerial council to deal with human traffickers using the country as a transit point.

The first Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Caucus chairman Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar refuted allegations that government officials were involved in human trafficking.

He said the situation may have been misunderstood when retrenched foreign workers are not sent home by their employers and are later caught and placed at shelters and depots.

Malaysia in US human trafficking list

from Associated Press

The Obama administration has faulted Malaysia for failing to do enough to stop the sexual and forced labor exploitation of women and children.

The State Department's annual "Trafficking in Persons Report" on Tuesday put the Southeast Asian country on its list of top trafficking offenders. Repeat offenders on that list include North Korea, Myanmar and Fiji.

Countries cited for failing to take adequate steps to address trafficking can be subject to limited sanctions.

The report also expresses worry about a worsening trafficking record in the Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

These countries have been dropped to the State Department's "watch list" of second-to-worse offenders, joining China, India and Sri Lanka.


*Najib sure duno want put face at where 1. I bet Malaysia will submit a protest note to the US State Dept. Lolx.

AT THE ANNEXE GALLERY: 7 TO 24 MAY 2009

ART FOR GRABS

+ KL ALTERNATIVE BOOKFEST

Arts, Crafts & Books Fair

Sat 9 & Sun 10 May, 12pm to 8pm

Presented by The Annexe Gallery & Central Market

Admission Free, except where indicated

Art For Grabs, our arts and crafts bazaar, returns for yet another triumphant round of affordable artsy consumerism in a collision of coolness. That’s over 20 stalls selling art, photography, knick knacks, accessories, etc, all for under RM100 (per item, that is!).

This time we also have KL Alternative Bookfest, featuring over 20 stalls by local indie publishers (not always available at a bookstore near you).

Everytime we host Art For Grabs, we present a fringe program of exciting events. This time around, we have Bilik Panas. Our “hot room” is not literally sauna-like, it’s actually air-conditioned. The “panas” here refers to the artistic, intellectual and emotional heat that will be generated by the performances, lectures and book launches we’ve got planned. See you there!

BILIK PANAS

Admission Free except for Gostan Forward

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

SATURDAY 9 MAY

12pm

THE CLOTH THAT CUTS: Re-Appraising Batik as a Trans-Cultural Signifier

Public Lecture by Dr Farish Noor

2.15pm

GOSTAN FORWARD – Solo Performance Lecture by Marion D’Cruz (Admission by RM10 donation)

3pm

BEYOND FEMINISM – The Woman as Metaphor for the Colonised

Talk by Chuah Guat Eng

4pm

KLAB Book Launch

TAXI TALES ON A CROOKED BRIDGE by Charlene Rajendran

5pm

KLAB BOOK Launch

NAJIB’S CHALLENGE: Glory or Oblivion? by Barry Wain & UNMASKING NAJIB by Lim Kit Siang

6pm

KLAB BOOK Launch

DEWANGGA SAKTI TERTINGGAL KAPAL ANGKASA DI HARI PELANCARAN BUKU 'KACIP' PIPIYAPONG

6.40pm

KLAB BOOK Launch

BERSERONOK DENGAN PEREMPUAN DALAM POKET

Pelancaran buku Puisi Poket 1: Akulah Perempuan Muda itu oleh Shaira Amira

8.30pm

GOSTAN FORWARD

SUNDAY 10 MAY

11am

MEDIA UNDER NAJIB: Hope or Disappointment?

Forum by Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ)

12.30pm

PENCERAHAN DAN KOSMOPOLITANISME

Talk by Khalid Jaafar, Director of Institut Kajian Dasar (IKD)

2.15pm

GOSTAN FORWARD

4.30pm

READING LOLITA IN KL

Reading by Sisters In Islam (SIS)

Please refer to events details & synopses at the end of this mailer

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GOSTAN FORWARD

Solo Performance Lecture by Marion D’Cruz

Fri 8 May, 8.30pm

Sat 9 May, 2.15pm & 8.30pm

Sun 10 May, 2.15pm

Presented by Five Arts Centre

Admission by RM10 donation

Gostan Forward will showcase Malaysia’s beloved “dance terrorist” Marion D’Cruz in her overlapping roles as a student, dancer, choreographer and educator. Celebrating her 35-year growth in this retrospective of sorts, she evolves from ground-breaking young dancer to boundary-blurring meta-choreographer. In a rare glance behind the artist, Marion will tell stories and perform excerpts of her favourite and most significant dances, including “Terinai”, “Swan Song”, “Urn Piece”, “Chilayu”, and more.

http://www.fiveartscentre.org

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KL PHOTO AWARDS 2009

Photography Exhibition & Workshops

Thu 7 to Sun 24 May, 11am to 7pm

Presented by Explorenation.net, Time Out Kuala Lumpur, Amarin Sdn Bhd & The Annexe Gallery

Admission Free

From family snaps to fashion spreads, and photojournalism to studio photography, the face remains the most photographed subject in the history of photography. Taking a portrait that retains its subject’s humanity while conveying a powerful commentary at the same time is truly the Holy Grail of photography.

The first KL Photoawards 2009 competition which called for submission between November 2008 and March 2009 attracted some 500 entries from overseas and Malaysia. Of the entries, 23 portraits in each category (Professional & have been shortlisted for considerations for the top prizes. These 46 portraits in total will be showcased in an exhibition of shortlisted works at The Annexe Gallery in conjunction with the awards presentation.

You are cordially invited to

Exhibition Opening

Winners Announcement & Prize Presentation Ceremony

Thu 7 May, 7.30pm

Admission Free

Find out which portraits win the coveted top prizes!

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ART FOR GRABS

+ KL ALTERNATIVE BOOK FEST

EVENTS DETAILS & SYNOPSES

Sat 12pm

THE CLOTH THAT CUTS: Re-Appraising Batik as a Trans-Cultural Signifier

Public Lecture by Dr Farish Noor

Presented by The Other Malaysia

Today Batik is seen and cast as something essentially linked to the (fixed and homogeneous) identity of nations like Malaysia and Indonesia. This lecture tries to explore the multifarious cultural, ethnic and historical origins of Batik as a form of art, and argues that in the designs of classical Batik we can see the overlapping of various cultural, ethnic and religious influences that cut across all of Southeast Asia and beyond. Batik is living proof of the cultural and ethnic hybridity of Southeast Asia.

Sat 2.15pm

GOSTAN FORWARD

Solo Performance Lecture by Marion D’Cruz

Directed by Mark Teh, Visual designs by Grey Yeoh

Presented by Five Arts Centre

*Admission by RM10 donation

Malaysia’s best known “dance terrorist” Marion D’Cruz celebrates her 35-year growth in this retrospective of sorts, from ground-breaking young dancer to boundary-blurring meta-choreographer. In a rare glance behind the artist, Marion will tell stories and perform excerpts of her favourite and most significant dances, including “Terinai”, “Swan Song”, “Urn Piece”, “Chilayu”, and more.

Sat 4pm

KLAB Book Launch

TAXI TALES ON A CROOKED BRIDGE

Book Launch and Reading by Charlene Rajendran & Friends

Presented by Matahari Books

Charlene Rajendran is a Malaysian teacher and theatre practitioner who has been living in Singapore for eight years, and she refuses to own a car. Taxi Tales On A Crooked Bridge chronicles her conversations with taxi drivers all over the island republic. Quirky and jaunty, this book shows that there's no telling what bridges can be built -- whether the journey is crooked or straight!

Sat 5pm

KLAB BOOK Launch

NAJIB’S CHALLENGE: Glory or Oblivion? by Barry Wain

& UNMASKING NAJIB by Lim Kit Siang

Presented by REFSA (Research For Social Advancement)

“Najib’s Challenge: Glory or Oblivion” is written by Barry Wain, a former editor of The Wall Street Journal Asia, is author of the forthcoming “Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times”. “Unmasking Najib” is a collection of articles written by Lim Kit Siang, who actively blogs since 2005 and has published 30 books since 1978. Both books are published by Research for Social Advancement (REFSA), an independent non-profit organization aimed at encouraging open discussion and input into public policy issues. Chairman of REFSA, Tunku Abdul Aziz (former president, Transparency International) will give his opinion on our Prime Minister and have a dialogue with the audience.

Sat 6pm

KLAB BOOK Launch

DEWANGGA SAKTI TERTINGGAL KAPAL ANGKASA DI HARI PELANCARAN BUKU 'KACIP' PIPIYAPONG

Presented by Sindiket Soljah

Dewangga Sakti terdiri daripada 6 orang pemuzik tradisional Melayu zaman sekarang yang melagukan karya-karya mistik dengan bunyian instrumen akustik. Manakala blogger hip Pipiyapong akan melancarkan karya beliau bertajuk Kacip yang lucu dan mencuit hati pembaca.

Sat 6.40pm

KLAB BOOK Launch

BERSERONOK DENGAN PEREMPUAN DALAM POKET

Pelancaran buku Puisi Poket 1: Akulah Perempuan Muda itu oleh Shaira Amira

Presented by Sang Freud Press

Puisi Poket adalah satu usaha untuk mengambalikan puisi kepada yang hak, yakni kau dan aku. Cukup kacip dan comel untuk disumbat di dalam kocek, ia sesuai dibawa dan dibaca di mana-mana; sewaktu menunggu teman di elarti, sewaktu naik elarti bersama teman dan selepas menyalakan rokok di belukar bawah landasan elarti setelah habis berbincang bahasa tubuh dengan teman.

Sat 8.30pm

GOSTAN FORWARD

Dance Lecture Performance by Marion D’Cruz

*Admission by RM10 donation

Sun 11am

MEDIA UNDER NAJIB: Hope or Disappointment?

Forum by Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ)

Panel speakers include: Wong Chin Huat (political analyst and chairman of Writers Alliance for Media Independence), Tricia Yeoh (special assistant to Selangor state Chief Minister), Zaharom Nain (Associate Prof of Communication Studies, USM)

The forum will touch on:
i. Exploring the prime minister's options viz-a-viz clamours for reform on one side and calls for entrenchment of the status quo on another
ii. Current and future trends that may affect or involve the media and free expression.
iii. What Malaysia needs badly in terms of reform on press freedom and expression and whether Najib can deliver them

Sun 12.30pm

PENCERAHAN DAN KOSMOPOLITANISME

Talk by Khalid Jaafar, Director of Institut Kajian Dasar (Policy Research Institute)

Khalid Jaafar will be talking about IKD’s publications and the concept behind its publications. He will also be touching on the controversial issue raised by IKD’s publications that have been alleged as misleading for Muslims.

Sun 2.15pm

GOSTAN FORWARD

Dance Lecture Performance by Marion D’Cruz

*Admission by RM10 donation

Sun 4.30pm

READING LOLITA IN KL

Reading presented by Sisters In Islam (SIS)

Celebrate the freedom to read! Join Marina Mahathir, Cecil Rajendra, Kee Thuan Chye, Rahmat Haron, Shanon Shah, Aishah Hassan, Chi Too, and Priya K as they read poetry and excerpts from books, plays, scripts, etc that have been banned in other countries throughout history.

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The Annexe Gallery

1st & 2nd Floor, Central Market Annexe

Jalan Hang Kasturi

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603-2070 1137