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Over the Christmas holidays, EcoKnights caught up with the winning film maker for the Best Young Film Makers Award of the 2011 Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival, Yap Shu Juin, the director of the short film, “Is It All Really Worth It?” Yap is currently a student at Tunku Abdul Rahman College in Kuala Lumpur. The Best Young Film maker's Award received at RM1000 cash prize, with trophy and hampers.
Here’s a snapshot of the interview.
EK: What is the story or message behind your short film? What were you hoping the audience to understand from it?
YSJ: The message behind this short film is to remind the audience about the consequences of pollution which are caused by human being activities. We wanted to minimize the wastage in producing this film, since it is a film which serves its major objective to create awareness on go green issue. Therefore, we decided to use a simple and eco way to transmit the message. We would like to urge the audience to think before they act by imparting the negative effects that will affect the earth and future of mankind.
Yap (right) holding her pewter plaque with Fedya (left), winner of the "Jury Award"EK: Do you think Malaysian film makers, as creative individuals, are able to, in general, convey urgent green messages via film? If yes, how so? If no, why and what do we still need as a creative industry to elevate more diversified content in our production?
YSJ: I believe that the creativity of Malaysian film makers could convey urgent green messages via film. The creativity of implementing the main objective and message into an interesting film could attract the attention of the audience, if it is special and significant enough it will eventually bring the audience to take action on the issue.
EK: Would you be working on similar short videos with an emphasis on the environment or environmental issues? Do you think there's enough of support locally for film makers to venture in to environmental film making? If yes, in what way? If no, what can be done to increase support to local film makers?
YSJ: Definitely yes, environmental issues are very important thing in that relates to everything around us. Yes, there are few supportive environmental campaigns and programs held in Malaysia yearly. Some might have competition on environmental film making, some of them organize environmental talk and activities to enhance the understanding on environmental issues, and all these could be part of a process to support the film makers in different aspect. I believe that if there is a will, there is a way. Film makers are able to break through the challenges if desires are there.
EK: Looking at what is screened on local cable television (TV1, TV2 and TV3), do you think Malaysians, in general, are aware of green issues? If not, then what do you think should change in terms of the quality of the content in broadcasting?
YSJ: I think that in general Malaysian are aware of green issues, the awareness is there, but the amount of people who take it seriously and able to commit the action in their daily life to make a positive change towards the green issue in Malaysia is still very poor.
EK: As a film maker, are there any aspects in your daily life which you practice something sustainable or friendly to the planet? If yes, please share with us.
YSJ: Well, there are a lot we can do to help the planet. Most commonly done are recycling old newspaper or other paper materials, glasses, aluminums can and etc… I bring along a reusable eco carrier bag with me in my bag all the time to avoid of the usage of plastic bags. If there are any possible chances I will bring along my own containers for take away food. Most of my household cleaning products are eco-friendly. I make enzyme out of scraps fruits and vegetable or separate the other daily scraps from kitchen to make it as a normal fertilizer in the soil of the garden.
EK: How important is the environment to you? And what would be the one urgent environmental message you would definitely work on in the next short film if you had the chance?
YSJ: Definitely very important! The environment belongs to everyone in the world, it relates to us in many aspects of our life. Perhaps the next message would be urging the society to get involve and take a positive change towards saving our environment before it is too late, as I believe the practice on the daily culture and habit of environment can always be mould into a better one.
Watch Yap's winning short film here.
