A
s Dian Lee mentions, M for
Malaysia was an accidental
documentary. “Despite the
support Tun M rallied during
the elections, we were cautiously
optimistic about winning,” recalls
Lee. “At best, we thought the footage
could be utilised for Pakatan Harapan’s
campaign in the 2023 general election
if we lost.” After the election, as the
team pored over the footage and
relived the victory, they experienced
a strong emotional response and
unanimously felt the historic events
should be preserved forever on fi lm.
A friend then connected Lee with
Ruby Yang, a Hong Kong-based
fi lm-maker and producer, to serve
as a consultant. Yang won the 2007
Academy Award for Best Documentary
(Short Subject), for The Blood of
Yingzhou District, which tells of young
orphans in Anhui coping with the
stigma of Aids. Yang’s other awards
include an Emmy, a DuPont-Columbia
University Award in journalism, the
FilmAid Asia Humanitarian Award,
the Global Health Council Media
Award and two IDA Pare Lorentz
Award nominations.
“When I fi rst saw the raw footage,
I realised it had all the ingredients of a
good story: a Shakespearean hero in
Tun Mahathir, people power and a
happy ending. Plus, I have always
loved mentoring young people.
Ineza and Dian impressed me with
their professionalism, curiosity and
open-mindedness,” says Yang.
As a Hong Kong-American, she is
saddened by the state of politics in
both the countries she calls home.
“Today, people are polarised in their
opinions and views. They don’t put
aside their feelings to rationally do
what’s best for society; there is little
space for mediation. As I delved into
M for Malaysia, I was amazed when
I saw all of these political enemies
come together to work for the
country,” she says.
Yang’s favourite character in the
story is Siti Hasmah, Mahathir’s wife.
“She brings out a side of him that
Ruby Yang
Creative producerhumanises him. It’s easy to love her,”
says Yang.
It was Yang who suggested that
Lee and Roussille create both a local
and an international version. She was
convinced the fi lm had potential for
an international audience despite
being a Malaysia-centric production.
“Uplifting fi lms like these have
a universal attraction; even non-
Malaysians can relate to the timeless
tale of democracy and people power,”
she says.
Her instinct proved correct when
the fi lm premiered in San Francisco“I realised it had all the ingredients
of a good story: a Shakespearean-like
hero in Tun Mahathir, people power
and a happy ending”
in May and New Zealand in June. The
feature’s message resonated deeply,
especially with those frustrated by
the political climate around the world.
But the ones who engaged most
closely with the fi lm were Malaysians
abroad who had left the country for
greener pastures.
Yang wasn’t surprised by this.
“Expats are always longing for home,”
she says. “There’s a pull you cannot
explain. As a Hong Kong-American,
I can relate. M for Malaysia sparks
a positive feeling whether you are
Malaysian or not.”Ruby wears coat
by Sandro; top and
necklace, both her own