Thread by @twt_filem

In honor of #aniMY and 2019, our "tahun kebangkitan "animasi", I feel like diving a bit more into Malaysia's own animation history. Still gathering my thoughts and the interesting stuff I've came across, but please feel free to chip in too!

As they say, one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. In Malaysian animation, we owe our thanks for that small step and giant leap to Mr. Anandam Xavier, who single-handedly brought our very first animation to life, Hikayat Sang Kancil (1978).

Mr. Xavier finished Hikayat Sang Kancil (HSK) in 1978, but due to unknown reasons (bureaucratic? political?), it was not cleared for release until 1983, on Aidilfitri. HSK was his last work with Malayan Film Unit (later known as FNM & then merged with FINAS), before handing over-

-his portfolio to Tn. Hassan Abd Muthalib, or Pak Hassan as he's affectionally known. He carried on Mr. Xavier's work by continuing the Sang Kancil series and later on, he directed Silat Lagenda, Malaysia's very first animated feature film.

Rightfully recognized as the grand old man of Malaysia's animation, Pak Hassan is responsible for spurring on and paving the way, for much of the progress that we see in the industry. He was also there at the turning point when digital animation was ushered in...

...as a direct result of the digital technology, international JVs and networking -- pushed on by MSC and the establishment of MDEC. The late Kamn Ismail & his team at UAS Animation Studios were the pioneers of this era, through their works on Usop Sontorian & Keluang Man.

I grew up with Usop Sontorian, Keluang Man and Anak-Anak Sidek, like most of the 90's kids. But now I've just realized that there was a complete break from that period, to the very first time I watched a Malaysian animated feature in the cinemas, namely Boboiboy 2.

So you can imagine my sheer delight at seeing that kind of local animation quality, right there on the big screen. Like, I was totally bowled over because I had no idea it was that good. It really makes me want to go back and check out all the other local animation works...

...that I have missed throughout the years, and it's really great that most of them are now readily available on Youtube and OTT platforms. Quick reference list of the Malaysian animated features so far:

https://twitter.com/FilemKita/status/1200784627197038592

Special shoutout to the RTM-produced Anak-anak Sidek series for being a personal favorite of mine, and to Pn. Raja Azmi (Kak Mi) Raja Sulaiman for spearheading the comic series it was based on. The comics was published by Penerbitan J.A.S. and lasted through a decade (1995-2005).

Anak-anak Sidek was also responsible for getting me to start reading comics & graphic novels. I still think it's a wonderfully made series, with strong narratives & memorable characterizations. And I'd liken it to the Upin Ipin & Ejen Ali of my time. 😄

So I stumbled upon a treasure trove of sorts -- an old blog by Amir Hamzah Hashim, one of digital animation pioneer cohorts (together with the late Kamn Ismail), chronicling his time and experience while working with UAS Animation Studios (known for Usop Sontorian & Keluang Man).

The blog is no longer updated, but there are just so much great stuff in here. First-hand accounts, photos, commentaries, knowledge sharing etc. En. Amir Hamzah is currently the president of Animation Society of Malaysia (ANIMAS).

ameirhamzahhashim.blogspot.com

Another firsts for M'sian animation: an extensive academic reference & a concept artbook. The former, written by Pak Hassan himself, took 15 yrs to complete. The latter is a joint effort by the scriptwriters & modeller at @lescopaque.

Def. judging these books by their covers. 😄

Because yesterday was @lescopaque's 14th anniversary, I'm listing down the popular animation studios and all their birthday dates here, for posterity's sake. :)

Les' Copaque - 13 Dec 2005
Digital Durian - 19 Sep 2008
Animonsta - 15 Sep 2009
WAU Animation - 18 Mar 2013

Fun tidbit about @lescopaque -- probably everyone and their mother already knows what it meant, and the thought behind the name, but I'm still so very charmed with how they worded it. It rings a lot of Superman's dad speech to him: "Our hopes and dreams travel with you." 😄

I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about Hasnul Hadi Samsudin @mistahasnul & Dato' Kamil Othman @Othman_Kamil in this thread -- they're specifically credited A LOT by the industry for their massive contributions, esp. on IP and putting M'sian animation on the international stage.

There are a lot of stuff and interviews out there detailing their work at MDeC & the animation industry in general, but I highly recommend this panel discussion by Mr. Hasnul & Anas Abdul Aziz (Animonsta). Almost an hour long, but it's worth every minute.

This report by MDEC is a great read on the current animation landscapes of SEA. Insightful & evidential. Again, it's the people in the industry who are the real assets -- the golden goose itself, echoing Anas' words from the GPIVC panel discussion.

mdec.my/wp-content/upl…

What does the future hold for Malaysian animation? Pak Hassan already said it best here, and I really like his emphasis on the film language and storytelling quality. Ultimately, that's what all art forms come down to -- the story that the artist wants to tell.