BANGKIT: 11 Days that Changed a Nation.

By AJ Black

The Malaysian story.

You move on yet? I mean after the GE14, where are you now?

(from left) Bangkit director and co-producer Justin Ong, iflix global director of original programming Mark Francis, and Journalist and interviewee featured in Bangkit Zan Azlee answering questions from guests at the media screening of Bangkit: 11 Days That Changed A Nation.

For many, they say life goes on (ahem! Cliché!), but many would also say as it goes on, started afresh with new leaf turned, a new government in place, things are progressing for the better. I was privileged to be invited for the screening of iflix Original BANGKIT: 11 Days That Changed A Nation on the 7th January 2019. Even the choice of venue,

Strangers at 47 coincidentally befitting the motive of this documentary. Hosted by iflix Malaysia, the attendees were members of the media and people who were involved in the GE14 process; campaigners, supporters and also witnesses of the historic day itself.

(from right) Journalist and interviewee featured in Bangkit Zan Azlee, Bangkit director and co-producer Justin Ong, lawyer and activist Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan, iflix global director of original programming Mark Francis, and iflix staff at the media screening of Bangkit: 11 Days That Changed A Nation.

Reliving the 11 days before GE14 is the background of this documentary. The narrative is from the actual footages from television, social medias and interviews with parties from the campaign during the GE14. So, as it is a sequential event, the countdown focused on the ‘drama’ during the campaign, from the banners being taken down, cut-out of Tun’s image from the campaign posters, to the unbelievable disqualification of Tian Chua on the nomination day. Like many good movies, the antagonist or shall I say protagonist now (?) is the ex-PM Dato’ Sri Najib and Barisan Nasional (BN) heads on with Pakatan Harapan (PH) evidently Tun Mahathir, but in a more wholesome presentation that reflects the whole party collective image. In this case, how PH campaigns involved more rakyat supporter than the party members. Since this is not a fantasy, but an unbelievable reality as was mentioned in some of the promo, the documentary will walk you through the days leading to the election, the rise of heroes, the undeterred Bangsarian campaigners that started the flags campaign, and there’s YB Hannah Yeoh’s video campaigning with her supporters by the road side.

And most dramatic of all, the postal vote from our faraway Malaysian, which ballot papers were questionably late, yet survived the counting. Leading to the day of the election, then the vote counting, the fiasco with EC, and how could you not remember the tension. The lost hours past midnight on the 10th May where we were wondering if there’s a new Malaysia or if there’s gonna be riot.

I truly enjoy the ensemble, it depicts lighter side of the whole episode. Highlighting key speeches and catchy phrases uttered by politicians, but most importantly it shows the real actors for the GE14 itself, we the Malaysian.

As we casted our vote on that day and restore democracy, we are a step towards a better nation. So, don’t forget to catch BANGKIT on iflix, it is free and will be available from the 9th January 2019. Till then, life goes on!