Guess Who’s At The Commonwealth Games?
We’re watching the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. But really, we’re only looking out for a few people. Zakayo Nderi. Hillary Kiprotich. Sammy Ekiru. Members of the Kenyan cycling team. Yup, Zak’s there. Hard to believe, but our former shoeshiner – the man we’ve been rooting for these past three years – is there,...
Second Chances
Lovely video by our young friends from the Second Chance campaign. Yay to hope! Yong Vui Kong will never get to dance barefoot in the park, or jam with his friends, or even play tourist at the Merlion. We made sure of that when we condemned him to death for a non-violent first offence. Never....
Seeking A Kickass Production Assistant
We’re looking for a smart, energetic, Cantonese-speaking young person to assist James in his feature film, as well as work on a slate of new documentary projects. Some production experience would be helpful but not absolutely necessary. This is a full-time position lasting six months to a year. Applicants must be prepared to travel and...
A Family’s Plea
Yun Leong had bags under his eyes. He told us he’d been up all night, writing a personal letter to President SR Nathan, pleading for his brother’s life. He was sleep deprived. Had lot his voice. But despite the fatigue, he’d gone and gotten a smart new haircut. He wanted to look his best. It...
100,000 Rays Of Hope
At first it all seemed a little ambitious. 100,000 signatures in support of a second chance for Yong Vui Kong. 100,000. That felt like an awful lot. How on earth was it achievable? I’ve since realised that my skepticism was misplaced. And that Malaysia has some truly amazing activists. Over the past few weeks, they’ve...
The Bomber
We’re a little late with this, but the story went online the day we left for a week in a place with no internet connection. “The Bomber” is our film about Dani Dwi Permana, the 18-year old kid who walked into Jakarta JW Marriott Hotel last year, and blew himself up. And about the family...
Together, For Vui Kong
It drizzled all afternoon. The ground was wet and squishy. We thought no one would show up. But we were wrong. Photo by Nicholas Leong As I type this, Yun Leong is visiting Vui Kong in prison. I’m sure they’re talking about our little gathering yesterday, about all you good people who bothered to stand...
The Boy’s Mother
We visit on our third day in Sandakan. She looks surprised to see so many of us. But we’re even more taken aback by the state of her little two-bedroom flat. Vui Fung had told us earlier that she lives alone. We’d half-expected her home to be gloomy and untidy. But the place is immaculately...
The Good Fight
My heart leapt when I saw this status update on Vui Fung’s Facebook page a couple of weeks ago:“I try my best to face all of this… I never wanna try to hide it again…” It was a huge step for her – this shy, awkward girl who hates being in the limelight, hates talking...
The Suicide Bomber’s Family
It’s hard being the suicide bomber’s family. No one has any sympathy for you. You’re the father who screwed up so bad, your son decided to go blow himself up. You’re the brother who dropped out of school so your younger sibling could have an education – only, he chose martyrdom over a university degree....
Dowry Deaths
At first we couldn’t believe the statistics. Nearly 200 deaths in 2009. 48 in the first three months of this year. Women – most of them, young and in the prime of their lives – beaten, strangled, burnt, kicked, tortured, drowned, starved, hacked… to death. Because of their husbands and in-laws’ greed. What on earth...
Maestro’s Daughters – The Film
It was a real privilege making this, and getting to know Ruba, Tungtang, Ama and the Maestro. A huge thank-you to Fiona, for helping us tell this story.
