PROPOSAL OF WAYANG KULIT

TITLE                     :              WAYANG KULIT / ROAD TO THE SAITAMA CITY (JAPAN)

IDEA / SCRIPT   :              AL BAKRI HARITH FDAM

EDITED   :              FARIZ NUR MOHAMMAD BIN ISHAK

TRANSLATED BY  :             NADIA AZZAHRAA (ENGLISH)

DIRECTOR           :              AL BAKRI HARITH FDAM

Logline

This is a “coming of age” story of a mixed heritage child. The conflict and turmoil between a father and son, whom are holding onto their own culture and philosophies, in which their ego burns the bridge in their fragile relationship and any hopes of consolidation. Nonetheless, blood is thicker than water.

Act 1

Azery Suzuki Hamzah or nicknamed as Jerry, 26, is a sophomore student Majoring in IT & Multimedia. Jerry is the eldest child from Hamzah’s First Marriage with his Japanese Allahyarhamah (late) wife Nana Suzuki. Hamzah met Jerry’s mother whilst he was completing his PHD in Japan (Tokyo University ). Jerry is an uprising star reaching a milestone as the lead singer and guitar player of a local underground band. Working part-time as an Social Media and web developer for small and medium-size companies in the city of Kuala Lumpur, with no intentions to return back to his hometown of Kota Bharu, Kelantan. This is due to the “misunderstanding” or conflict of interest on his “life planning / direction” with Hamzah a year ago. However, as Hamzah had remarried after his wife’s death, he has a daughter named Kasih, whom Jerry kept in touch with. To Jerry, Kasih is the only person who understands him, in which he can share his stories and what are the things that he is experiencing.

Meanwhile in Kota Bharu, Hamzah is actively preserving the culture and traditional art of the Kelantanese; such as Mak Yong, Menora, Wayang Kulit, and Wau (kite) and top manufacturing in an art and culture association which he established 20 years ago. Hamzah also manage his resort and chalet business within the tourist attraction area there. He persistently promotes the local art and culture to the international arena by holding art and culture workshops and performances on his resorts.

Jerry was highly committed towards the band that he established which was named CLAW. He had a goal to bring his band far into the international market; however, the journey towards his goals is not as easy as he thought. His band mates consists of people with various background – one came from a rich family but is unemployed, one came from a city-poor family who is struggling to live in the metropolitan area – sometimes interrupting the movement and creativity of the band. Jerry often felt trapped when his band mates always ask for his help. This makes Jerry’s girlfriend, Nadia – who was studying Political Science in a renowned college – felt uneasy.

Nadia often pressure Jerry to leave his band mates and create a new band, which made the relationship between her and the band mates turned sour. Nadia who is also not an appointed band manager, often act alone and making decisions without the band’s consent; which made her appear being unpleasant to the band mates. Jerry is trapped in this conflict.

In the same time, CLAW tried to send demo digital tracks, to a few overseas record labels. However, they are often being rejected for not being able to meet the company’s criteria in term of skills, music arrangement and sound. This matter had always become the hot issue discussed among the band mates, which sometimes turned to be small arguments. Nadia forced Jerry to ask for help from her father’s friend in Japan, named Makoto, in order to achieve Jerry’s dreams to bring CLAW’s music to the international level. Jerry is in dilemma.

Act 2

In Kota Bharu, Hamzah frowned while reading a newspaper featuring an underground gig which was held in KL was rushed by the authority because it was promoting wild culture among the local youths. Hamzah stared at nothing while letting out a long sigh. He recaptured the incident that happened 3 years ago where Jerry organized an underground music gig in one of Hamzah’s resort. The gig was then rushed by the authority when they received a report from a local magazine press.

Hamzah and Jerry got into a huge argument when Jerry was being defensive with his own values, saying that the gig he organized had the purpose of giving the chance to all local underground band to develop their talents, as well as sharing thoughts, opinions, and interest among them. However, Hamzah condemned Jerry, saying it was reported by the authority that the participants and guests in the gig was drinking alcohol and abusing drugs. Jerry cynically replied that Malay community is always condemning other people’s personality, or close-mindedly looking at other people’s personality and not being fair to the individuals they are condemning. The Malay community often put labels on other people just by looking at other people’s outward appearance.

Jerry also added that the Malay community is always faking in real life – talking about what is “halal (legal)” and what is “haram (illegal)” in public, but actually not practicing what they are preaching. This made Hamzah lost his patient and slapped Jerry, saying that Jerry is an ungrateful youth and also a traitor to the nation. Jerry, not being able to contain his anger and disappointment, threw up words that were hard for Hamzah to accept. Jerry said: “I am not Malay. I am not the one who is using poor and uneducated people to gain popularity and recognition. You told the world that you love the art and culture that we inherit. You squeezed the sweat out of real artisans to produce artsy crafts with minimum pay, for the sake of recognition. Is that what you call art? Is that what Malay is?”

Since that, the father and son is in a strained relationship and they became estranged.

However, actually Jerry’s words made Hamzah realized that all this while his fight for the love of Kelantanese art and culture may have slipped off track. It became very much different compared to what he was trying to preserve during the early time that he came back home from Japan. He was drowned in the fame and recognition he received.

Without the band’s consent, yet again Nadia proceeds to submit Claw’s work to Japan, and with the help of her father’s friend , CLAW seems to have an international BREAK when they got the news that Sony Music Entertainment Japan wants to sign CLAW. But what Nadia Failed to mention, Sony is only interested in Jerry and not his band. Now Jerry is stuck to choose between his dream and his band. Unfortunately, he chooses his dream and proceeds to Japan, however he manages to bring his Bassist Fariez along with him to Japan, and Nadia was not able to follow them in Japan. Now Jerry and Fariez found themselves to be part of a new band – named “Bock zu haben”  in which Jerry is also the lead singer.

Finding new success in Japan, Jerry and Fariez choose to live in Saitama, as this was the birth place of Jerry’s late mother.

Act 3 

 Hamzah flew to Japan for a national delegation meeting about cultural performance competition, which will be held in Tokyo – joining the “INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE FESTIVAL IN JAPAN & SAMBA SHOW CARNIVAL IN JAPAN”. He has high hopes that the Malaysia delegation led by him would bring home the main award which all the participating countries are fighting for.

When Hamzah is done with the meeting he was surprised to see Jerry and one of his band mates, Fariez who plays the bass, are heading towards one of the train station in Tokyo to go to Saitama, which is located about 27km from Tokyo. Hamzah’s was actually going to visit Nana’s hometown as he sometimes misses his 1st wife.

The situation became slightly awkward when both Hamzah and Jerry are being egoistic and none of them are trying to start a conversation. Fariez finally breaks the silence and invited Hamzah to a nearby restaurant; while nudging Jerry with his elbow, signaling Jerry to invite his father for a drink.

Jerry, who is still angry left Hamzah and Fariez. He immediately went inside the restaurant, find a seat and wait for them to arrive. Hamzah silently observed Jerry’s behavior who is supposedly not wanting to look at Hamzah’s face. However, Jerry tried to peek at Hamzah’s face, and Hamzah noticed that.

Fariez pulled Hamzah’s wrist and led Hamzah inside the restaurant. Hamzah sat right in front of Jerry and looked at his son’s face, missing him so badly, which cannot be expressed with words. Jerry was also feeling the same, trying to keep a poker face while looking outside the restaurant, but his eyes were watery. However Jerry’s Ego got the better of him, and still refused to try to acknowledge with his father. Hamzah’s did not try to push the reaction out of Jerry, instead just proceed with dinner talking to his friend Fariez. Hamzah started to reminisce his time with Jerry’s mother in Japan and proceeded to tell stories to Fariez. Jerry was listening , however proceeds on showing the face of ignoring his father. After dinner, before Hamzah leaves he told Jerry, “Whenever you need me, I will always be there to catch, after all, I will always be father, and that’s my job” After Hamzah left, it made Jerry think and start to change his perception I little on his father, maybe there is hope yet for them.

During “Bock zu haben” creation of their 2nd album , Fariez suddenly had to fly back to Malaysia as his mother fall gravely ill, and left jerry alone in the new band. Jerry being alone, now with the band, he started feel more of an outsider without his friend’s support. The management decided to replace Fariez with a new bassist.  However, the bassist started to change things around in the band, and persuading the management to make decision without Jerry. Jerry use is only to write the songs for the album. Little did jerry know that a plan was in place, for jerry to finish his songs, and he would be thrown out of the band. Upon submitting his last song, suddenly internet bad rumours starting to fly in the Tokyo, how he was demanding, and abusive to his bands. Not complying to the record label , drinking and doing drugs. Then an anonymous report that Jerry raped of their FANS. Viralling out of control, the Management decided to throw jerry of the band. As thing gotten worse, he was thrown out of his home as well, and was left penniless on the road side.

Act 4

1 month later.

Hamzah was hasn’t heard any news of the whereabouts and his sister Kasih could not get his location anymore. With heavy heart, Hamzah still had to prepare for the international festival in Tokyo in which is happening in 2 weeks time. Hamzah decided to fly early to Japan to find Jerry himself. After more than a week of search Hamzah was not successful, and he still needed to attend this international event.

Jerry, being homeless, living in between cybercafés, he saw the news of his Father’s performance. Realising how much he missed his father, he decided to go to watch the competition.

The Cultural competition ensues, and whilst watching the Malaysian team performing , Hamah could not sit still as he felt that his son is nearby. The Malaysian Team got into the final and was waiting the final tally from the judges, and Hamzah saw Jerry in the crowd, and see him leaving. Hamzah couldn’t control himself anymore and decided to run out to chase him. As jerry leaves the venue, he suddenly bumped into a few large men, realising these men are the men he owes money to, and jerry was beaten up.

Hamzah furiously looking for Jerry, and saw someone laying on the floor , realising it was his son, he proceeds to ran and embrace his son.

1 week later, Jerry in a daze hear his father’s words - “Whenever you need me, I will always be there to catch, after all, I will always be father, and that’s my job” he opens his eyes, and his father next to him sleeping. Hamzah woke up. They give a look of longing Jerry says “I’m Sorry and I love you “ Hamzah said nothing back just proceeds to hug him

Jerry, is depressed and is back in his hometown. Everyday he see his father working very hard on Wayang Kulit, he see the change, he saw his father is not extorting the real artisan anymore, but working together side by side.

6 months Timelapse. Everyday he grows, a custom to this traidition, and joining in with his father. He reconciles with his Friend Fariez, ask him to join him as he has new idea with new type of music

Act 5

In one of Hamzah’s resorts in Kota Bharu, Jerry and his band mates are practicing hard in the performance corner, together with the “Wayang kulit” traditional musicians. Jerry and Fariez are trying to combine their music element with the “Wayang kulit” traditional music.

When they are done with the practice, Jerry showed the performance idea on his laptop to the other CLAW members and the traditional musicians. Fariez suggested that they should add a large screen at the back of the stage in their performance, showcasing the “wayang kulit” together with traditional Kelantanese percussion music as an added element to the original music by CLAW.

At first, the idea was rejected by the other CLAW members because they are saying that this idea is going too far from their original music stream. But they finally agreed to change a little part of their music style by adding traditional music elements to break into the international market.

In Kuala Lumpur, Nadia is discussing with an underground gig organizer while promoting the demo digital track from CLAW. Mat Jaie, the gig organizer didn’t agree to invite CLAW into the Annual KL Metal Camp Concert because CLAW’s music is now not in line with the concert’s concept. They lightly argued, but Nadia finally left Mat Jaie after he said that the Annual Metal Camp Committees will not compromise with ‘sell-out’ bands.

One year later.

After being disappointed with the change of their music style and also the fact that their demonstration CD are not being welcomed by their fans, CLAW members went back to their everyday routine. Jerry is the one being most disappointed and depressed when his band mates threatened to leave him and start a new band to return to their original concept if CLAW keep being stagnant without any progress.

While Mat Jaie’s favorite band, Humiliation, led by Bear B kept on canvassing success on the international stages, Jerry mired on the sofa watching his friends’ stage performances and building success.

Nadia, who is now Jerry’s fiancé, is talking on the phone. She has a serious look on her face, while sometimes turned towards Jerry who is diligently facing his laptop, trying to finish his web development projects. Not long after that, Nadia’s voice calling for Jerry. Jerry was shocked and hurried over to Nadia who looks like she’s out of breath. One of her hand in still holding on her cellphone while her other hand is on her chest.

Jerry was anxious and immediately helped Nadia to sit down. Nadia slowly handed out her cellphone to Jerry. Jerry took the phone and looked into the screen. There was an email from Makoto saying that CLAW in invited to perform on stage in Saitama City, and also offered to become a recording artist for his friend’s record label in Tokyo.

Jerry was speechless for a few seconds; and then he shouts out loud “Daddy!!”Hamzah smiled while reading the email sent by Makoto, which was also sent to him on his phone.

Montage

CLAW members are in the KLIA with their instruments and luggage. CLAW members in Keikyū Airport Line Rapid-Limited Express (from Haneda airport towards Aoto).

CLAW is performing on a stage with large screen in the background, showcasing “wayang kulit”. Jerry has just done inserting his vocal part in a song, in a recording studio, and received a Whatsapp text from Hamzah: “I am proud of you for being more matured in making decisions, wisely set the pace for your goals, and patiently solving your problems. Let the Malays shake the music empire in the land of the rising sun.”

Jerry didn’t say a word. He just smiled and typing fast on his phone to reply to his father, while holding back his tears.

END CREDITS

CLAW MONTAGE

1)     YOUTUBE VIEW RISING TO MILLIONS

2)     NEWSPAPER ONLINE ARTICLE

3)     TIKTOK MILLIONS OF LIKES

4)     INTERVIEWS DIFFERENT STATIONS

END