Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, e-store, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, video blog | Tags: askar, broadcast, chinese, city, customs, directing, documentary, fat bidin, fatbidin.tv, film, history, internet, jinjang, journalism, kampung, kampung baru, kampung baru alaf baru, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, military, nasi lemak, nasi lemak antarabangsa, new age new village, new media, ntv7, pantang, projek angkat rumah, traditions, video blog, zan azlee
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS… KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 8 of 8 (Conclusion)
Multiracial or not… we will survive… together!
Short synopsis: Kampung Baru is a traditional Malay village situated in the heart of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Traditional Malay houses are surrounded by huge concrete and steel skyscrapers that provide a juxtaposition of modern urbanisation and customs and tradition. Zan talks to several individuals who have close ties with Kampung Baru to try and capture the essence of the village.
Click here to watch all the episodes.
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU was screened on ntv7 in conjunction with the 2010 Merdeka celebrations. Visit the FAT BIDIN E-STORE to buy the DVD and own it for yourself!
Don’t forget to join the FAT BIDIN FACEBOOK PAGE for more life-changing experiences!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, video blog | Tags: askar, broadcast, chinese, city, customs, directing, documentary, fat bidin, fatbidin.tv, film, history, internet, jinjang, journalism, kampung, kampung baru, kampung baru alaf baru, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, military, nasi lemak, nasi lemak antarabangsa, new age new village, new media, ntv7, pantang, projek angkat rumah, traditions, video blog, zan azlee
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS… KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 7 of 8
Racial harmony? Not anymore!
Short synopsis: Kampung Baru is a traditional Malay village situated in the heart of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Traditional Malay houses are surrounded by huge concrete and steel skyscrapers that provide a juxtaposition of modern urbanisation and customs and tradition. Zan talks to several individuals who have close ties with Kampung Baru to try and capture the essence of the village.
Click here to watch all the episodes.
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU was screened on ntv7 in conjunction with the 2010 Merdeka celebrations. Visit the FAT BIDIN E-STORE to buy the DVD and own it for yourself!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, video blog | Tags: askar, broadcast, chinese, city, customs, directing, documentary, fat bidin, fatbidin.tv, film, history, internet, jinjang, journalism, kampung, kampung baru, kampung baru alaf baru, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, military, nasi lemak, nasi lemak antarabangsa, new age new village, new media, ntv7, pantang, projek angkat rumah, traditions, video blog, zan azlee
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS… KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 6 of 8
Malays, Chinese, Indians and whomever… let’s divide them!
Short synopsis: Kampung Baru is a traditional Malay village situated in the heart of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Traditional Malay houses are surrounded by huge concrete and steel skyscrapers that provide a juxtaposition of modern urbanisation and customs and tradition. Zan talks to several individuals who have close ties with Kampung Baru to try and capture the essence of the village.
Click here to watch all the episodes.
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU was screened on ntv7 in conjunction with the 2010 Merdeka celebrations. Visit the FAT BIDIN E-STORE to buy the DVD and own it for yourself!
Filed under: Afghanistan, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 9/11, bamiyan, city, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, islam, journalism, kabul, malaysia, media, muslim, new media, news, solo journalism, taliban, The Malaysian Insider, war, yadkawlang, zan azlee
I am shocked that I even have time to write my column for The Malaysian Insider here in Afghanistan!
Off the record… in Afghanistan
By Zan Azlee
SEPT 16 — There is something about a video camera that makes people apprehensive. Some are shy but most are just afraid that what they say or do on camera might harm them. As a video journalist and documentary film-maker, I document a lot of people doing and saying things in real life. I think I do quite well in convincing people to be more candid, casual and honest when they talk to me and my camera.
A lot of it has to do with the fact that I’m mainly a solo journalist and I don’t have a crew. Since I’m alone when I’m recording, people feel more at ease. But I also like to think that it could be because I have inviting eyes and I smile and laugh a lot. And that puts people at ease (haha!). There are, of course, those who are just too shielded and even my charm and good looks can’t break them.
One good example is my current stint as an embedded journalist with the Malaysian Armed Forces who are serving in Afghanistan, for my next documentary project. [Click to read the full article]
Filed under: Afghanistan, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 9/11, city, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, insurgency, interview, islam, journalism, kabul, malaysia, media, muslim, new media, news, solo journalism, taliban, The Malaysian Insider, war, zan azlee
I wish I had enough time for more entries on my website. But interviewing, shooting, editing and filling stories are leaving me exhausted everyday here in Afghanistan! But here’s my column at The Malaysian Insider this week.
9/11 no longer relevant to Afghans
By Zan Azlee
SEPT 9 — The way the media distorts and manipulates facts has never been so obvious as when I stepped foot for the first time on Afghan soil this week. I’m here for my next documentary project and also as a correspondent for Astro Awani and to produce features for The Malaysian Insider, amongst other media.
I am lucky enough (haha!) to be in the country’s capital city Kabul for the upcoming 10th anniversary of 9/11. As the weekend approaches, the international media has already begun their hype-up of the “event” with all kinds of feature stories and packages.
It seems, according to the media, the whole world is thinking of 9/11 and why wouldn’t they when that’s all that’s being highlighted. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: Afghanistan, book, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: afghanistan, astro, awani, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, islam, journalism, kabul, solo journalism, video journalism, war, zan azlee
I’m heading out today! Afghanistan here I come! I’ll be doing shit loads over there… shooting my documentary film, writing a book, shooting photographs, and doing live reports! GODAMMIT! The things I have to do to pay the bills! I’ll be posting… tweeting… FB-ing and Instagraming every opportunity I get so stay tuned! Or… you can also watch ASTRO Awani (501) starting 5th September for my live reports from the Land of the Bearded Man! Until I come up with something better… I’m calling it THE UNTITLED AFGHANISTAN PROJECT!
Wish me luck! (Or send me a bulletproof vest! Those things are expensive!)
Filed under: broadcast, documentary, film, I'm Muslim Too!, internet, press | Tags: 1malaysia, aidilfitri, azlee, documentary, film, hari raya, interview, jasmine. athena, journalism, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, media, merdeka, press, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, the star, zan azlee
It’s Hari Raya and Merdeka!! And Athena handles her first interview and photoshoot with The Star very well indeed! (Click on the image below to read the article)
Happy Hari Raya and Merdeka everyone!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, metropolis, new media, video blog | Tags: AIDS, cancer, cicak, documentary, dutch, fat bidin, film, gecko, interview, journalism, kuala lumpur, malaysia, metropolis, netherlands, tokek, video journalism, vpro, web video, zan azlee
I am preparing to take off on my next big film/multimedia project, so stay tuned for that! It’s going to be DA BOMB (and I mean that literally!)! But for now, check out my latest documentary for the Dutch television station VPRO TV. It’s all about the TOKEK!! Click on the image below to view the video.
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, internet, journalism, new media, Operation Nasi Kerabu | Tags: conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, google, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, muslim, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, radio, review, solo journalism, susan loone, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, the malaysian reader, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
Okay! I google my name in the middle of the night when nobody is watching. So sue me! But look what I found… a couple of online reviews of my book and DVD ‘Operation Nasi Kerabu:Finding Patani in an Islamic Insurgency‘! Click on the images to read the reviews. Thanks Khairul and Susan for the kind words. Your money will be deposited in to your accounts soon! Muahahaha!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, e-store, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, internet, journalism, new media, Operation Nasi Kerabu, press | Tags: bfm, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, muslim, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, radio, solo journalism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
I forgive those of you who missed me live on BFM 89.9 Evening Edition talking about my book and film ‘Operation Nasi Kerabu: Finding Patani in an Islamic Insurgency‘ yesterday evening. I know you all tried your best. But fret not! The show is available for streaming or download so you can take it with you everywhere! Go listen now!
And just as a reminder to everyone, the book is available at all major bookstores for RM25… and you get a free DVD too! Or you can also purchase it online at the FATBIDIN E-STORE! Proceeds will go to buying my daughter milk and diapers.
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, new media, Operation Nasi Kerabu, press | Tags: conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, muslim, ntv7, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, solo journalism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, the star, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
An old Kelab Seni Filem buddy who works at The Star wrote a nice article about me and ‘Operation Nasi Kerabu‘. Allan Koay is not a bad writer at all! But it definitely helps when you have an interesting character to write about huh? Muahahaha!! You can click on the image above or here to read the article.
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, Operation Nasi Kerabu, press, print, video blog, writing | Tags: conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malay mail, malaysia, muslim, ntv7, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, solo journalism, thailand, the breakfast show, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
After the official launch, the promotion of my book and DVD ‘OPERATION NASI KERABU: FINDING PATANI IN AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘ has been going along quite well. How can it not when you have such a sexy ass guy behind it (ME of course!). Last week, I was on ntv7′s The Breakfast Show along with Tuwaedaniya Meringing, the main character of my book and film who so graciously flew down to Kuala Lumpur from Thailand to help me with my promotion campaign. (The clip below is courtesy of ntv7 and Primeworks Studios)
And a few days ago, The Malay Mail wrote a decent review of my book, which you can read online here.
The book can be found at any major book store at the price of RM25 (and this includes a free DVD of my documentary film ‘THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘!). You can also buy it online at FATBIDIN.COM/STORE/. So please buy the book people! I need to feed my four month old daughter! She’s been crying for milk for a long time now!
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, Operation Nasi Kerabu, print, writing | Tags: conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, muslim, ntv7, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, solo journalism, thailand, the breakfast show, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
And so it was the launch of my book and DVD ‘OPERATION NASI KERABU: FINDING PATANI IN AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘ which took place at The Annexe, Central Market in Kuala Lumpur. I’ve got an aching wrist from signing a gazillion copies of my book!
The book is selling at RM25 an it comes with a free DVD of my documentary film ‘THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘. Just visit your nearest bookstore.
Tuwaedaniya Meringing (AKA Daniya), the veteran journalist/fixer from Patani and also the main character of my book and film, saying a few words about the conflict in his hometown.
Indulging my adoring fans!
Please buy my book if you want my daughter to continue having milk to drink and diapers to poop in!
The two guys that made this happen… Tuwaedaniya Meringing and Ezra Zaid (ZI Publications).
And on a last note, tune in to ntv7′s The Breakfast Show this Tuesday, 21st June 2011, at 9am, to see Daniya and me talk about my book and film!
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, press | Tags: fat bidin, jasmine abu bakar, media, the star, zan azlee
Fat Bidin is in da house (excuse the pun!)!! Check out Star Property today to read an article about Jasmine and me and our multimillion dollar home!!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, vj movement, writing | Tags: bias, documentary, editorializing, fat bidin, film, gay, homosexuality, islam, jakim, journalism, kuala lumpur, lesbian, los angeles, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, new media, news, objectivity, pick and choose journalism, radio, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, this way out, video journalism, vj movement, web video, zan azlee
Pick and choose journalism. That’s what I wrote about today in my column at The Malaysian Insider.
Pick and choose journalism
By Zan Azlee
MAY 20 — Last week, a Los Angeles-based radio show picked up a video news package I did for the Dutch news agency VJ Movement. The story was about being gay and Muslim in Malaysia and it was apt that This Way Out ran the story since they serve the gay community. I was obviously excited since it meant that I am now a celebrity in LA and can expect to be signing autographs in Hollywood soon. But the excitement fizzled when I actually listened to the show. My entire story was intact except for the interview with JAKIM director-general, Datuk Wan Mohamed.
I had interviewed different people with liberal and conservative view points and Datuk Wan Mohamed, of course, was of the latter. His voice may have been more conservative than the rest, but it was equally as important since I wanted to show both sides of the story for better context. This Way Out’s producers must have taken it out because it didn’t support their agenda and this brings me to my issue of the day – pick and choose journalism. (Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider)
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media, video blog, vj movement | Tags: bias, documentary, editorializing, fat bidin, film, gay, homosexuality, islam, jakim, journalism, kuala lumpur, lesbian, los angeles, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, new media, news, objectivity, radio, solo journalism, this way out, video journalism, vj movement, web video, zan azlee
Recently, a gay-oriented radio programme out of Los Angeles, California, called This Way Out, picked up on my video news package ‘Being Gay and Muslim in Malaysia‘, which I did for the news agency VJ Movement. Since it was a radio show, they only took the audio from my story. Of course I was delighted that I was now a celebrity in LA!
However, When I listened to the show (click here to listen to the radio show), I noticed that they had edited out the interview with JAKIM Director-General, Datuk Wan Mohamed. His voice may have been more conservative than the rest of my interviewees, but it was equally as important since I wanted to show both sides of the story and his interview definitely contextualised things better (Click here or on the image below to view my video in it’s entirety).
So I wrote an e-mail to the producers. I received a prompt reply from her, “… I actually did try recording the subtitles to mix into the piece. Unfortunately, especially since I was working alone with no male voice to use, I just couldn’t get it to sound right … it was just more confusing. I was also facing the problem that I needed to shrink the piece a bit to make it fit into our program. The time constraints made the parts with my sadly ineffective attempt to add the translation the most likely (although ultimately not the only) things to be cut — despite the fact that I realized that the government point of view provided important context. You’ve probably faced similar situations, when you have to reluctantly lose material that’s important to a story. I appreciate your understanding…”
It could have been due to constraints or it could have just been plain editorialising.
Click to view my original video in it's entirety.
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, video blog | Tags: askar, broadcast, city, customs, directing, documentary, fat bidin, fatbidin.tv, film, history, internet, jinjang, journalism, kampung, kampung baru, kampung baru alaf baru, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, military, nasi lemak, nasi lemak antarabangsa, new age new village, new media, ntv7, pantang, projek angkat rumah, traditions, video blog | Tags: broadcast, video blog | Tags: chinese, zan azlee
Slap me upside down!! Not another new episode of ‘Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (New Age New Village)’ online now at FATBIDIN.TV? If you ever thought being 6 months pregnant meant you could not jump off a flying helicopter, then do not consider yourself a patriotic Malaysian!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 5 of 8
Pregnancy is no excuse for skipping full military jungle training!
A still shot from my film KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, video blog | Tags: broadcast, city, customs, directing, documentary, fat bidin, fatbidin.tv, film, history, internet, jinjang, journalism, kampung, kampung baru, kampung baru alaf baru, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, nasi lemak, nasi lemak antarabangsa, new age new village, new media, ntv7, pantang, projek angkat rumah, traditions, video blog | Tags: chinese, zan azlee
Booyaaa!!! Fourth episode of ‘Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (New Age New Village)’ online now at FATBIDIN.TV! I like the Chinese… they took the attention away from the Malays during the Japanese Occupation!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 4 of 8
What’s a Chinese guy doing in a Malay kampung?
Still shot from 'Kampung Baru Alaf Baru'
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, video blog | Tags: chinese, city, customs, fat bidin, fatbidin.tv, history, jinjang, journalism, kampung, kampung baru, kampung baru alaf baru, kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, nasi lemak, nasi lemak antarabangsa, new age new village, ntv7, pantang, projek angkat rumah, traditions, zan azlee
My film KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE) was recently repeated on ntv7 (I’m sure due to popular demand!) after its original broadcast during August/September last year. And what a miraculous coincidence that I’m also serialising it on FATBIDIN.TV!!!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 3 of 8
Would you ever marry a strange man who followed you home from Chow Kit?
Norisah Abu Bakar - KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, vj movement, writing | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, film, gay, homosexuality, islam, jakim, journalism, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, new media, news, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, vj movement, web video, zan azlee
Here’s my blog entry at Fatbidin.com about my article at The Malaysian Insider about my video on VJ Movement!! Cross-promotion!! Hahaha!!
How to be gay and Muslim at the same time
By Zan Azlee
APRIL 15 — Recently, I was commissioned to produce a video news package for VJ Movement, a Dutch-based news agency focusing on solo-journalism. It was about a matter that had intrigued me for some time now and this was the opportunity for me to explore it — homosexuality in Islam.
And so, I decided that I would interview a slew of people to get as many different opinions on the matter. I met a Malay Muslim gay man who was willing to speak to me about this issue. However, he requested anonymity, fearing backlash. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
