Brotherhood across borders
Singer, actor and filmmaker Namewee tells Dennis Chua that his latest comedy, previously banned, has been a ‘long but worthy wait’
FILMS by Wee Meng Chee often come with politically-laden messages, but at heart, they are about brotherhood across borders. This also applies to the fourth and latest film by the 35-year-old actor, director and hip-hop singer better known as Namewee.
Banglasia 2.0 which opened recently with an encouraging RM220,000 box office take on its first day, was actually wrapped up five years ago. However, the buddy adventure and comedy was banned for its content which was critical of the previous ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional.
Now that Pakatan Harapan is in power, Wee can “breathe easier”; the ban was lifted last Feb 12, with seven cuts and a small reshoot to incorporate a parody of last year’s general election.
“The Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF) told me 31 scenes were not in good taste, that’s why it was banned,” said Wee at a recent press preview of Banglasia 2.0 at the MM2 Cineplex in E-Curve, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, recently.
SECOND LIFE
“Nevertheless, I sent it to three international film festivals — New York Asian Film Festival, Osaka International Film Festival and Singapore International Film Festival between 2014 and 2015 — and it was wellreceived.”
Wee, from Muar, Johor, said he was overjoyed when the LPF told him that the ban was lifted. “The new government respects freedom of speech and I hope things will stay this way.
“Yes, it was still cut, and I waited five long years but it was worth the wait as it gave me time to update the story.”
The small reshoot resulted in the 90-minute film, originally called Banglasia, being renamed Banglasia 2.0.
Asked about its box office record, Wee said he was also delighted that he “outdid himself”. “My earlier films Nasi Lemak took RM175,000 and Hantu Gangster took RM188,000. I guess Banglasia 2.0 pulled the crowd because the ban ‘rocketed’ demand for it!”
MIGRANT MESSAGE
Banglasia 2.0 features a multi-national cast comprising Bangladeshi actor Nirab Hossain, Singaporean actresses Atikah Suhaime and Yoo Ah Min (Lao Zha Bor), Shashi Tharan, Saiful Apek, Jack Lim, Datuk David Arumugam, Sukania Venugopal, Raja Ilya and Zhu You Liu.
Originally scheduled for release on Chinese New Year 2014, Banglasia 2.0 is an action comedy about how a group of Malaysians unite to defend their homeland from foreign invaders from the fictitious kingdom of Luk Luk.
This group comprises a kung-fu exponent and anti-immigration activist Han (Wee), tough police officer ASP Wira (Shashi), blood-phobic nurse Rina (Atikah) and Harris, a Bangladeshi worker who suffers from amnesia (Nirab).
Wee, who shot Banglasia over a month in 2013, said the film focused on the treatment of migrant workers in Malaysia, and also criticised corruption, bigotry and syndicates which brought illegal immigrants into the country. “I filmed it around Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, and also spent five days in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka,” he said.
Banglasia 2.0 marks Wee’s first collaboration with a Bangladeshi actor. “Nirab is a big name back home, he’s an action hero, just the person I was looking for,” said Wee, who has dedicated the film to all expatriate workers who have played their part in the country’s economic growth since Merdeka.
KNOWING THE OTHER
“It’s sad to hear that many of us have prejudiced views of them, we should always stop to think how much we owe them. They worked extra hard to help our country grow.”
Wee who befriended Bangladeshi workers in Muar when he was 15, said: “I was working part-time in a furniture factory during school holidays and I got acquainted with Bangladeshi workers. I wasn’t able to master their language, but I learnt a lot about their country and its people. They’re very friendly.”
Wee, who also co-wrote the script of
Banglasia 2.0 with his 28-year-old brother Vivi Wee, said he was happy to have The Alleycats’ lead singer David back for a third movie.
“David is a dear friend. He stole the show in Nasi Lemak and Hantu Gangster playing a hot-headed chef and a gangster with a heart, respectively. This time, he’s the King of Luk Luk, and he speaks a language which none of us can understand. We both created it!”
It is also Wee’s first collaboration with Atikah and Saiful.
“I fondly remember Saiful from his Senario days. He’s very talented and well-read. As for Atikah, she’s rather serious, but enjoyed herself on the set playing someone totally different in her first leading role.”
Dhaka-born Nirab said Banglasia 2.0 was his “best holiday” in Malaysia. “I’ve visited Malaysia a few times before this, but shooting a film in Kuala Lumpur, is a dream come true.
“Wee is a cool guy, likewise Saiful. My Malaysian co-stars gave me full support, and the entire four weeks on the set was amazing,” said the 33-yearold artiste who has been acting for nine years.
LOVE FOR ALL
Banglasia 2.0 producer Fred Chong said: “Our new film is not only about national unity but also about battling prejudices against foreigners. It’s good to be a patriotic Malaysian, but our sense of patriotism should never descend into narrow nationalism or parochialism.”
Wee said he would love to work with more foreign actors in his future films.
“I love to tell Malaysian stories which highlight our interconnectedness with people from other nations. Banglasia is only the first in my ‘international’ series of films.”
Banglasia 2.0 is produced by Web TV Asia, Namewee Studio Production, Prodigee Film and Filmmaker Studio.
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