Films should depict current realities and solutions - Zulaikha Zakaria

Filmmaker Zulaikha Zakaria stands by her portrayal of student fights in her upcoming movie "Kudrat 1968," asserting that she cannot deceive audiences about the harsh realities of the world. She believes films should not shy away from difficult topics but instead offer solutions to the problems they depict. Zakaria argues that while societal concerns about rising bullying incidents are valid, blaming films for failing to address them is misguided, as these platforms can actually offer pathways to resolution.

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I cannot lie to the audience.

Zakaria, also known as Ika, disagrees with the notion that films are solely responsible for the persistence of bullying. She contends that her film, "Kudrat 1968," borrows from widespread discussions and perspectives on the escalating issue of school bullying. "The reality of the real world is more severe than what we portray in the film," she stated during the film's cast introduction event. She emphasized that the film is not merely about promoting violence but about reflecting the gravity of bullying and its impact.

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The reality of the real world is more severe than what we portray in the film.

Official records from the Ministry of Education (KPM) show a significant number of disciplinary cases, with 2,889 bullying incidents recorded last year alone, affecting both primary and secondary school students. Beyond bullying, KPM reported 3,570 criminal offense cases in the same period. These statistics underscore the escalating nature of misconduct among students.

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Many misunderstand, we are making a film solely about fights between students in boys' schools, whereas what we are highlighting is 'toxic masculinity' and solutions to the issue.

Zakaria clarified that "Kudrat 1968" delves into issues of toxic masculinity and proposes solutions, rather than solely focusing on student altercations. "Many misunderstand, we are making a film solely about fights between students in boys' schools, whereas what we are highlighting is 'toxic masculinity' and solutions to the issue," she explained. The director believes it is their duty to explore taboo subjects and present them in a way that encourages audience reflection on the consequences of such behaviors.

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To make Kudrat 1968 relevant and consistent with the increasingly serious issue of bullying, we cannot be indifferent, only highlighting beautiful things on the big screen when this issue of bullying is becoming more and more rampant.