THERE is a clear sense of urgency for activism in Nadira Ilanaâs work as a filmmaker and human rights advocate. She feels the need to create conversation surrounding what a Malaysian identity is, on her own terms as an East Malaysian.
In that process of exploring her identity, she produced two of her best-known documentaries, The Silent Riot (2012) and Big Stories Bongkud-Namaus (2016), while championing a better and more inclusive cultural representation of Borneo-Malaysians in the national narrative, as well as defending free speech and expression at the frontier of filmmaking.
âAs a Sabahan filmmaker with Kadazan-Dusun heritage, making a film is the difference whether our native languages and customs perish. Itâs fun because you get to build worlds but thereâs also a need for it to be a representation that is relative to our autonomy.
âMass media in any country is often driven by the status quo, that often have had histories of oppressing others but weâre finding now that globally, the conversation is switching to elevate minority voices in a bid for parity. What I strive to do is to present those who would otherwise not get a chance to be seen, a chance at reclaiming their dignity.
âItâs a race to preserve my cultural heritage, and films are an important way to say, âHello, I existâ.â
