Hidup hidup! Afghanistan!
By Zan Azlee

DEC 12 — Although it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11, it was clear that many Afghans felt that it was irrelevant to them and their lives. I don’t blame them since, in their country, 9/11 seems to be happening every day.

“Every day, in my country, people are killed. If not by the Taliban, then by the American and ISAF forces. We are looking at 9/11 every day here,” gripes Ahmad Bilal Raghbat, my fixer in Afghanistan.

It seems that after 10 years of the United States’ presence in Afghanistan, the situation in the country isn’t much better. One would think that at least security and safety of the locals would have improved, but no. Attacks by the Taliban still happen regularly. And to be honest, this scared the wits out of me! The first few days sleeping in my room was spent… NOT sleeping!

One of the first things Bilal said to me when I arrived in Kabul was not to wander around Kabul on my own since it is particularly dangerous for foreigners. I had no objections there since everyone in the streets dressed and looked like dangerous Taliban members! You just couldn’t tell the difference.

That’s why, although central Kabul is considered the Green Zone and is safe, attacks still happen almost every week. How do you tell a Taliban from a non-Taliban? They are all Afghans and they all dress the same. And if it’s the beard that you go by to differentiate them (growing one is compulsory for a Taliban), well, most Afghans have beards. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]

Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 2 of 10
Hidup hidup! Afghanistan! (Long live Afghanistan!)
Zan meets up with dissatisfied Afghans who want the USA to leave their country and allow them to govern themselves. He also stumbles upon a street demonstration that is opposed to the current Karzai presidency.

Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.

To view all the episodes, head to FATBIDIN.COM/AFGHANISTAN.

Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay (Part 2).

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!

Today is the launch of the online version of my multimedia documentary, Guide To Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite, which includes video and still photos. This is after TV news reports (for Astro AWANI) and a magazine feature article and photo essay (for Esquire). Radio and TV versions of the documentary are also in discussion. This launch is also in conjunction with the launch of a 10-part feature on The Malaysian Insider website, of which you can view part 1 here:

Guide to Afghanistan: The Adventures of a KL-ite
Part 1 of 10
9/11? What’s that?

Full Synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malaysian KL-ite journalist who has lived all his life in non-conflict zones, travels to Afghanistan to see if he can come up with the best travel guide for the country. With no idea what he is getting himself into, he dodges suicide bombers and IEDs, and even gets embedded with the army, to plan out the best tourist route in Afghanistan. This is a multimedia documentary produced by Fat Bidin Media and directed by solo-journalist Zan Azlee.

Click the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay.

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available… just give me a buzz if you are interested and we can talk! If you would like to own original FAT BIDIN MEDIA documentary films and books to enhance your coolness factor, visit the FAT BIDIN e-STORE!

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!

My sexy self serenading the pork!

I was recently invited to participate in Readings @Seksan by Sharon Bakar and of course, it was to read from my book ‘Operation Nasi Kerabu – Finding Patani in an Islamic Insurgency‘. The line-up was fantastic! It was Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Coming of Age), Rumaizah Abu Bakar (The Female Cell), Adib Zaini (Zombijaya), Julian CH Lee (Policing Sexuality) and, obviously, to cap everything off and to add to the prestige… ME! There was also music by Reza Salleh.

I even managed to sell quite a number of copies of my book. A bit of advice… the best marketing strategy is to carry your baby daughter around and announce that all proceeds of the sales of the book will go to buying milk and diapers for the week. Fail-proof plan!!

For those of you who did not attend the reading (I shall unfriend you on Facebook!)… fret not! You can listen to a recording of my reading by clicking on the audio player above. And if you want a copy of the book (with a free DVD!)… you can still buy it at any major bookstore or order directly at the FAT BIDIN e-STORE for a signed copy!

Sharon Bakar, organiser of Readings @Seksan

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Coming of Age)

Adib Zaini (Zombijaya)

Julian CH Lee (Policing Sexuality) is the one on the far right. I was busy snapping pictures of him with his camera during his reading so I don't have any pictures of him in front of the crowd in my camera!

Rumaizah Abu Bakar (The Female Cell)

Athena all dressed up in a spaghetti strap ready to seduce the crowd into buying her pop's book!

Athena being lullabied by Reza Salleh.

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.

With all the excitement around my latest film (or am I the only one excited?!?), I’M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, being released on ntv7 in September, some people have been asking about the first I’M MUSLIM TOO! installment which was released last year. Well, worry no more! Due to its immense popularity (ahem ahem!), ntv7 will be re-broadcasting it this year. They will show the 4-episodic version every Sundays (starting on 23rd August, 2009) at 5pm. So make sure you catch it!

If you need to be reminded what it’s about, click here. If you want to make this film your very own to hold and touch every night before you go to sleep, you can purchase the DVD at the Fat Bidin E-Store!

First two titles are:

I’m Muslim Too!

and…

R.A.H.M.A.N. and other short films

So go to the FAT BIDIN E-STORE now and send me your dough!