Filed under: Afghanistan, Astro Awani, broadcast, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, afghanistan, astro, astro awani, awani, fat bidin, interview, journalism, malaysia, media, new media, news, ntv7, pak non, the sun, zainon ahmad, zan azlee
My Pak Non encounter
By Zan Azlee
About a year ago, when I was still a mercenary journalist and hadn’t joined the team at Astro AWANI yet, I was called up by one of the channel’s executive editor. Kamarul Bahrin Haron, an old friend, wanted me to appear as a one of two guests on a live discussion programme called Agenda AWANI to talk about media freedom.
I felt that the topic was right up my alley and I immediately agreed. And the night of the programme, I had arrived at the studio and was led in by one of the researchers. As soon as I stepped in to the cold studio, I was caught off guard and speechless as I saw the other guest sitting next to Kamarul in front of the cameras. It was Pak Non.
My first instinct was of excitement and glee. Here was Zainon Ahmad, a veteran journalist and a mentor to so many in the industry. And I was going to sit next to him! Then my brain caught up with me. Here was Zainon Ahmad, a veteran journalist and a mentor to so many in the industry. And I was going to sit next to him!
My next thought after that was to push aside the audio guy who was fixing my microphone and run down to the car park and drive away as fast as I could! [Click to read the full article at English.AstroAwani.Com]
Filed under: broadcast, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: allah, fat bidin, fatwa, host, interview, islam, journalism, malaysia, media, new media, news, news anchor, ntv7, presenter, The Malaysian Insider, wahabi, zan azlee
Bald women, fatwas and the news
By Zan Azlee
JUNE 29 — What’s the big deal about going bald? Apparently, in Malaysia, it is such a huge deal that it becomes public interest and even the media starts discussing it. The latest case involves news presenter Ras Adiba Radzi who decided to go for a crew cut in solidarity with the National Cancer Council’s Jom Botak awareness campaign.
The television station where Ras Adiba works at on a freelance basis decided to suspend her until her hair grows to an “acceptable” length. This surprises me since the station involved is one that I have high respect for because, in my honest opinion, it is one of the more progressive ones in the country.
Not only that. It has also been reported that Ras Adiba has been receiving abuse and threats from “religious” groups claiming that she is going against Islam. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
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: 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: 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, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, writing | 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
Dayummm!!! I’m amazed at the momentum I’m keeping with the episode updates on FATBIDIN.TV!! Woohoo!!
Go there now to watch the latest episode!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 2 of 8
You’re not supposed to touch the ground once you’ve given birth or you will be cursed!
On a seperate note… I was a guest on Tech Beat (along with Daniel Cerventus and Zurairi), a podcast by John Lim. Check it out!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), new media, video blog | Tags: city, dvd, fat bidin, history, journalism, kampung, kampung baru, kampung baru alaf baru, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, media, nasi lemak, nasi lemak antarabangsa, new age new village, ntv7, zan azlee
And a new film is released in serialised form on FATBIDIN.TV! That’s right baby! We’re alive and kicking this 2011! The film is KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE), shot and aired on ntv7 in conjunction with Malaysia’s 2010 Merdeka celebrations. And if you want, you can even buy the DVD to own it for yourself!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)
Part 1 of 8
Kampung Baru… a village in the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur. Has it lost it’s village essence?
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.
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS is a series which will host long form documentaries. Click here to see all the episodes.
Filed under: directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, film, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, new media, ntv7, pattani, solo journalism, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
Thanks for following FATBIDIN.TV! This is the last episode of my film made in Pattani.
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 15 of 15
Everyone survives. The end.
Short synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malay Muslim documentary filmmaker from Malaysia, travels to Pattani in Southern Thailand to see the violent Islamic insurgency there. He feels somewhat a kin to them since the locals are Thai-Malays and Muslim too. This film is banned from broadcast in Malaysia by the Prime Minister’s Office.
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS is a series which will host long form documentaries. Click here to see all the episodes.
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, film, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, new media, ntv7, pattani, solo journalism, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
I’ve been so obsessed with work that I neglected something I started due to passion. Do you all still remember FATBIDIN.TV? The last video to go up on the site was an episode of WE THE PEOPLE… (the one about the Projek Angkat Rumah in July 2010). Ever since then, my life has been jam packed with television shows, writing work, consulting clients, lecturing, vacuuming carpets, toilet cleaning, grocery shopping, women hunting and god knows anything else that could pay the bills! Everything else was neglected. The second half of 2009 and first half of 2010 even saw FATBIDIN.TV having a sponsor/advertiser that allowed the site to be financially independent. But that came to a halt… and so did my momentum to work on the site. (A new sponsor would be great! Any takers? Call me! Muahaha!)
Come 2011… a new-found vigour fueled by a lack of creative fulfillment for so long has re-ignited my energy and passion. The wife is going to give me a baby and I’m excited! The little monster needs a father who is filled with passion and energy… not a father who comes home (Where do I come home from when I actually work from home?? Haha!) and just slouches on the couch to unwind from a tired, uninspiring and boring day running in the rat race?
So FATBIDIN.TV is back! A new episode of FAT BIDIN PRESENTS… The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency (Part 14 of 15) is posted on the site. Remember The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency? It’s the film I made about Southern Thailand which was banned by the Prime Minister’s Office two days before it was suppose to go on air on ntv7. One more episode to go and the whole film in its entirety will be out in the New Media. More projects will be coming from FAT BIDIN (me!!!) this year. Just you wait and see! Be prepared to be blown out of your minds!!
……………………..
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 14 of 15
It’s kind of difficult to be a journalist when you get threatened by everyone.
Short synopsis:
Zan Azlee, a Malay Muslim documentary filmmaker from Malaysia, travels to Pattani in Southern Thailand to see the violent Islamic insurgency there. He feels somewhat a kin to them since the locals are Thai-Malays and Muslim too. This film is banned from broadcast in Malaysia by the Prime Minister’s Office.
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS is a series which will host long form documentaries. Click here to see all the episodes.
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, journalism, Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, documentary, fat bidin, film, journalism, kampung baru, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, ntv7, video journalism, zan azlee
In spite of all the work that I’ve been swamped with this whole year… I managed to make another feature film! Damn I’m good! It’s called KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (English Title: NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)! It’s DA BOM!! Watch it on ntv7 this National Day (31st August 2010, 10:30am)!
Kampung Baru Alaf Baru
By Zan Azlee
AUG 27 — Kampung Baru has always interested me. For the unacquainted, it’s a Malay village situated in the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur. So there are traditional wooden Malay houses with chickens running around, and in the background are concrete and steel skyscrapers. I like the juxtaposition of urban modern and rural traditional that Kampung Baru has. And so what do I decide to do? Yes, folks, I decide to grab my video camera, drive down to Kampung Baru and shoot myself a documentary film solo-journalism style! [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, film festival, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, film, freedom film festival, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, islam, komas, malaysia, muslim, ntv7, pattani, terrorism, thailand, zan azlee
Alright! Looks like my film I’M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border won’t be seeing the light of day on Malaysian television thanks to the ban! But no worries! The kind folks at KOMAS have decided to bring it on their 2009 Freedom Film Festival tour around Malaysia.
Here are the dates and venue:
Kuala Lumpur – The Annexe, Central Market (3pm, 3rd October)
Penang – Han Chiang College (3pm, 10th October)
Kuching – Sek Men Chung Hua 1 (3pm, 24th October)
Johor Bahru – Tropical Inn (3pm, 31st October)
I’ll try and show up at a couple of these venues. So come and get an autograph from me! Haha!
Visit the Freedom Film Festival website for more information.
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, I'm Muslim Too!, press | Tags: documentary, film, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, I'm Muslim Too!, islam, malay mail, malaysia, muslim, ntv7, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, zan azlee
An article in the Malay Mail about how a documentary filmmaker and a news anchor ended up together! Aww… how sweet! My favourite part is where the writer stated my age being 26! Muahahaha! [Click here or here to read the article]
Okay… you can throw up now!
