by Chester Chin Star September 15, 2013
PETALING JAYA: For the first time, Malaysians will see clear video footage of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman when he declared the country’s independence.
Not only that, local celebrities and politicians like Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Lim Kit Siang, Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, Datin Sofia Jane and Datuk David Arumugum could also be seen in the crowd at Merdeka Stadium in other footages.
The footage is just some of the many old clips from the 1950s and 1960s restored and doctored by local filmmaker Pete Teo and his team over a span of five months.
These clips will be featured in Teo’s latest Hari Malaysia music video which will premiere at midnight both on www.HariMalaysia.com and YouTube.
“Previously, you would not be able to see Tunku’s face in the footage.
“However, we have restored the footage to give Malaysians a clearer picture of the moment,” he said.
He said his team used CGI (computed generated image) effects to superimpose the well-known figures in politics and arts, transporting them back in time for the historic moment.
The viewers will feel a pinch of nostalgia watching the heartfelt black-and white music video.
Teo noted that there was a different nation depicted in the old films in which people back then were more together and had a sense of pride and happiness.
“In many ways, the community is not so much together now as compared to the race relations in the past.
“The country may have progressed in certain ways but in some aspects, we have also seen Malaysia regress.
“In light of today’s politics and environment, I think it is more important for Malaysians to be reminded of those moments in the past,” he added.
There are two variants of the four-minute video.
The English version features a rendition of the song Slipstream performed by Melina William while the Malay version contains the song Kembara by Asmidar.
Both tracks were written by Teo and the Malay version features orchestration by Japanese violinist Sayaka Katsuki.