Mokhtar – A Thesis Film on Humanity and Heritage

INTRODUCTION

Hi everyone! We are a group of filmmakers from Nanyang Technological University School of Art, Design and Media and currently we are working on our final year narrative short film inspired by the events of WWII.

ABOUT THE FILM

The film revolves around Mokhtar - a soldier of the Malay Regiment who finds himself stranded at the end of the Battle of Bukit Chandu. As he tries to find his way back to his regiment and ensure his survival, he comes across a lone Japanese medic by the name of Hiroo. Stranded from their respective units and with the circumstances against them, the two realise that they would need to learn to trust each other to make it out alive.

A story of humanity at its core, we hope to bring across the idea that there are some ideals bigger than war and that certain experiences that we go through transcend boundaries beyond culture and language. We hope by setting these moments of trust against the most extreme of situations, it enables our character to search within themselves what it means to be human and to understand that each individual out there has their own story to tell.

LOGLINE

An unlikely bond is formed between a soldier of the Malay Regiment and an Imperial Army Japanese medic as they realise they need to trust each other for their own survival.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Mokhtar is an original story that was inspired by the Battle of Bukit Chandu where Lieutenant Adnan Bin Saidi led the Malay Regiment and showed a tremendous amount of courage. The story however does not revolve around the Lieutenant but a fictional soldier named Mokhtar.

Mokhtar was written simply because I wanted more representation of Malays in Singapore cinema. With a fair amount of our stories stemming from domestic issues taking place in such settings, I wanted to challenge the norm and prove that we do have stories that are not domestic in nature and also pay homage to our rich heritage and history as well.

The psychological effects of war fascinate me and the story provides me with the opportunity to explore such concepts. The extreme pressures that the characters face in a high stake life or death situation presents itself as a means to present their truest self and what it really means to be human.

I wanted to show that even during wartime, combatants are able to show each other respect and act with a modicum of decency, recognising that certain ideals are bigger than a war and that acts of kindness are universal across humanity no matter where an individual may come from.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We appeal for your support as making a period drama requires a good amount of resources and any amount big or small would go a long way in helping us realise our collective vision. Your support would go towards contributing to the following:

1. Talent fees
2. Production design (Set design, Wardrobe, as well as Props)
3. Equipment rental
4. Meals for the cast and crew members
5. ART kits

We hope that our story, characters and themes resonate with you and we would be extremely happy if you will support us by contributing financially through our crowdfunding campaign to bring us closer in realising our collective vision.

You can also help us by sharing this campaign link among your friends, family and even on social media.

To find out more about the film and to follow us along our journey, check out our Instagram page HERE!

Thank you!

MEET THE TEAM

Writer - Director: Ridhwan Ismail

Producer: Leong Li Qing Skye

Producer - 1st Assistant Director: Nicholas Damien Goh

Director of Photography: Donovan Wan

Sound Designer: Adam Rosli

Art Director: Khairul Ameer

Editor: Lou Zu Hao