Forget about Finas, critic tells local film makers
INTERVIEW | The time has come for the local film industry to forget about the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), according to film critic Hassan Abdul Muthalib.
He said this was because the individuals appointed to lead Finas have no clue of their responsibilities in the agency.
"If about Finas, it's simple. Just forget about Finas. They all don't know what they are supposed to be doing.
"Why do I say that? Simple, just take any (Finas) senior officer and...
INTERVIEW | The time has come for the local film industry to forget about the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), according to film critic Hassan Abdul Muthalib.
He said this was because the individuals appointed to lead Finas have no clue of their responsibilities in the agency.
"If about Finas, it's simple. Just forget about Finas. They all don't know what they are supposed to be doing.
"Why do I say that? Simple, just take any (Finas) senior officer and ask them to talk off the cuff about Malaysian films," Hassan said in an interview with Malaysiakini.
He lamented that the standard of Malaysian film officials fell far below their counterparts in other countries who are more well-versed with the Malaysian film scene, even for a spontaneous conversation.
"But in Malaysia, I'm sorry to say... If you are a head of an organisation, you must know your subject so that when you are present at an event, let's say a foreigner came and talk to us, we can talk about Malaysian films.
"That's how to convince them (foreigners), not like now if there's an event they (Malaysian film officials) either don't show up or don't mingle," said Hassan.
He said the inability to converse with foreign film developers was made worse by a weak command of the English language.
"That is why since 2006 I have stopped being involved with them (Finas)," he added.
Aside from individuals within Finas, Hassan claimed the overall agency was formed 41 years ago only to further the interests of a select few.
'Political appointments'
Having been involved with Finas in its earlier days, Hassan noted how he started to keep a distance following political appointments made to lead the agency.
"They (Finas) appointed a new director-general from Umno... they all 'swiped money'. Do you know who sits on Finas' board? What are they doing? They don't know anything," he stressed.
Commenting further, Hassan, who is also known as the 'Father of Malaysian Animation' said political appointments and interference had led to the overall decline of Finas and its predecessor, the National Film Agency (Filem Negara).
"(Malaysian) animation started in Filem Negara because it had the equipment, and coincidentally I was there, so I know a little of its history from my research.
"In 1995, I took early retirement. I said I'm 49 and even if I waited, I can't grow and I can't develop Filem Negara," said Hassan whose film credits as an animator include 80s hits Mekanik and Mat Gelap.
"The staff at the time were only thinking of their salaries, when to take leave, what cars can they buy next, and that is all they do.
"When, by right, they were the ones given the responsibility to start the film industry in KL," he said.
Recalling his time with the organisation, Hassan said he was hit with snide remarks after he did not offer any gifts to the individual claiming to have pushed for his promotion.
"Even an acclaimed director like U-Wei Haji Shaari did not receive any recognition.
"That's why I said forget about Finas," he said.
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