KUCHING: The roaring success of Mat Kilau on the silver screen is proof that there is a huge appetite for films based on local history.
And Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar wants the local film industry to exploit this potential fully.
National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) can identify the critical history and struggles of past fighters that can be used as material to be made into films, he said.
“It will be able to reflect the real situation of Malaysian society and citizens in terms of history, struggle, whether in the era of self -administration, colonialism or communism.
“Once all the information has been collected, it can be used as material to be filmed and at the same time make huge profits like the Mat Kilau film, which reaped a profit of RM80 million.
“Through the success of Mat Kilau’s film, we can see the work based on history and struggle is able to bring the country’s film industry to a higher level,” he pointed out.
Towards this end Wan Junaidi said the country’s film industry should focus on historical stories as well as past and present struggles besides producing commercial works.
He said this after a meeting with FINAS Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dr. Md Nasir Ibrahim on the development of the country’s film industry, especially in terms of reflecting the true culture and attitude of Malaysian society.
He said such focus can help enhance value and diversity in the arts, actors and other related activities.
“Production companies, stakeholders and industry players also need help and support to continue to grow,” he said.
He also emphasised the aspect of infrastructure, government and banking assistance that can be channeled to film industry players.
FINAS was urged to provide detailed information on the needs of the film industry.
He stressed that the financial sector should emulate the United States because it provides various financial resources such as seed capital, venture capital and various other financial resources, thus making it easier for filmmakers to get capital to work while filmmakers in Malaysia are too dependent on government funds.
“I call on the corporate sector to jointly develop and contribute to the development of the country’s art industry,” said Wan Junaidi.
He also hoped the government would diversify its assistance to include the construction of infrastructure and tax schemes that are attractive to industry players such as tax exemptions and reduction of high entertainment tax rates by the State government and local authorities.
“The government should consider tax exemption to outsiders to attract more international productions to choose Malaysia as a major filming location and infrastructure investment.
“All government agencies can play a role by facilitating production, thus enabling film companies from abroad to reach Malaysia to produce films and invest in this industry which is considered capable of generating hundreds of millions of ringgit,” he added.
