During our film programme (1+RE)DISCOVER at Iskarnival weeks ago, we asked Minut Init‘s Dali Abdul Azis to helm a special segment titled “Newsantara”. He was tasked to curate a selection of videos sourced from video-streaming platforms and write something that will help us gain a little more insight into the Nusantara. But unlike the short essay Wendi submitted on the cinema of the region, Dali’s sent in a conversation which pieces together an understanding of the Nusantara from the perspective of a European traveler. We hope you enjoy this piece.

BORN Mohamad Safwan Mohd Salleh in Gua Musang, Kelantan, this young man got to a good start when he became one of six filmmaking students in Astro Citra‘s ambitious telemovie extravaganza Karya 12.

It brings us great joy to welcome back Wendi Sia for (1+RE)DISCOVER, our literally do-or-die thing happening at Mall of Medini in Nusajaya next weekend. Having curated a selection of films for the program in collaboration with The Daily Seni, Wendi will chart this journey through modern nusantara filmmaking via PANJANG (which includes Brunei’s first commercial film Ada Apa Dengan Rina and complex Indonesian treasure Melancholy Is A Movement) and PENDEK (short films galore). In the meantime, enjoy a glimpse of the magic with this teaser from Wendi.

LAST week at arts festival Urbanscapes, The Daily Seni curated a local film program which we wanted passers-by and local city folk to watch. From a hilarious 2009 murder mystery directed by Bernard Chauly to a screening and discussion of East Malaysian films, (1+RE)DISCOVER took place over five days at the Urbanscapes House on Jalan Hang Kasturi.