Fostering Spirit of Unity through Film “Ola Bola”
Sriganeshvarun Nagaraj1*, Yasmin J K Prabakaran1, Abdul Aziz Mustafa1
1INTI International University, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Accepted: 1 March 2020 | Published: 15 March 2020
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Abstract: The film ‘Ola Bola’, released on the 28th January 2016, raked MYR 16 million by the first week of March 2016 (Malay Mail Online, 2016) and 14 nominations at the Malaysian Film Festival (FFM) (Yeoh, 2016). The film also took away a special jury award for national unity. Films have said to have the power to affect viewers; many newspapers and articles have quoted that Ola Bola has inspired Malaysians to come together as one. In light of this issue, this research paper investigates if Ola Bola truly fosters unity among Malaysians. A textual analysis followed by an in-depth interview with 12 participants were conducted to study their perception on whether the film had inspired them to unite. The findings of the research conclude that the film conveyed the message of unity with great clarity, strongly, and had values to instil in Malaysians to uphold but it wasn’t impactful enough to foster unity.
Keywords: Film, Unity, Effects of Films
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1. Introduction
Malaysia as the nation had its’ first film in 1933 directed by B.S. Rajhans titled ‘Leila Majnun’ (Ponnan, 2010). But the first film to essentially bring together all the races in Malaysia under a single roof was in 1959 by the late actor, producer, Tan Sri P. Ramlee in Pendekar Bujang Lapok (Mohd Shariff, Sualman and AdiIrawan, 2013). The film stands for an example for every other film that intends to foster unity among its audience. No other filmmaker since P. Ramlee but the late Yasmin Ahmad has been able to make such an impact on the Malaysian film industry. Her films Sepet, Mushkin, Gubra and Talentime are exemplary model for other filmmakers that intend to produce films that realize the 1 Malaysia concept not only rhetorically but to define the reality of Malaysia. Since the passing of Yasmin Ahmad in 2009, there hasn’t been many films that has truly lived up to the standards she’s left behind until the year 2016.
Released on the 28th January 2016, the film ‘Ola Bola’, raked MYR 16 million by the first week of March 2016 (Malay Mail Online, 2016) and 14 nominations at the Malaysian Film Festival (FFM) (Yeoh, 2016) and won three (3) awards of its nominations including best costume designer, best original score and best original theme song and took away a special jury award for national unity.
According to the Star2.com website of The Star Media Group, the director, Chiu Keng Guan’s aim was to make a Malaysian film for people to understand how important it is to not
‘red-card’ one another in our real lives. Which brings us to the question, did the elements or message of unity come through clearly to the Malaysian youth? Was the film Ola Bola, able to foster unity amongst the Malaysian youth?
Problem Statement
For a diverse country as Malaysia, unity is the heart and foundation. According to Anas Zubedy’s Say Something Nice campaign, the inspiration behind the annual campaign bud from the reality that Malaysia has alternated between “moments of unity and disunity” long after its independence in 1957 (The Star, 2016). Events such as the Alvin Tan and Vivian controversy, the ‘Bersih’ and ‘Kebangkitan Maruah Melayu’ rallies are definite proof of this.
The most recent event: the ‘Kebangkitan Maruah Melayu’ rally brought together many Malaysian in unity to speak against it, including the ministers of Malaysia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said in an interview that any rally that was to go against unity and the spirit of Malaysia should be deemed “illegal”. As Malaysian citizens, it’s our responsibility to avoid any action or assemblies that contradict the values of unity and spark provocations among the diverse line up of races in Malaysia (The Rakyat Post, 2015).
Unity must be sustained in this country for us to live in harmony and grow together.
Purpose of the Research
The purpose of this paper is to investigate, will/has the film Ola Bola been able to foster unity among Malaysian youth. A film possesses the power to educate or mis-educate on a topic (Obeidallah, 2012). Ola Bola was identified as a film that had a multiracial cast and used various languages from Malay, English, Tamil, Mandarin to Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka;
all of which had endeared it to diverse audiences (Free Malaysia Today, 2016). Its core message of unity and pride spoke to the people of an era when different races, religions and cultures pulled together for a common cause (Free Malaysia Today, 2016). The results of the research could decide if more films as such should be made to educate and inspire the masses or to conform to the demands of the market.
Research Objectives / Research Questions
Research Objectives
i) To find out if films have an impact on the youth
ii) To identify the elements of unity in the film Ola Bola (2016)
iii) To gather feedback of Malaysian youth’s opinion on the film Ola Bola (2016)
iv) To investigate the perception of the Malaysian youth towards the elements of unity in the film Ola Bola (2016)
Research Question
1. Do films make an impact on the youth?
2. Are there elements of unity in the film Ola Bola (2016)
3. What is the feedback given by the Malaysian youth on the film Ola Bola (2016)?
4. Are the Malaysian youth convinced that the elements of unity in the film Ola Bola (2016) would be able to foster unity?
Scope of Research
This research was carried out through qualitative methods with textual analayis and an in- depth interviews in several higher education institutions in Malaysia. The respondents for the interview consists of local youths aged 18-24 years old, pursuing their studies in Foundation/SMA/A-level, Diploma/Advanced Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree from January to April 2017. The researcher selected 12 participants who have watched the film Ola Bola to answer a series of prepared questions.
Key Terms
Unity
Unity is a condition of harmony or the quality or state of being made one (Meriam-Webster, n.d.). The British agreed to free Malaysia for our independence on one condition, that all the people of Malaysia unite. Unity is the core of this nation and without it we will be divided and the nation would fall.
Foster
To foster is to encourage the development of something; especially something desirable (English Oxford Living Dictionaries, n.d.). In this context, it would mean to develop unity or a sense of oneness.
Youth
The UN, for statistical consistency across regions, defines ‘youth’, as individuals between ages 15 and 24 years (Unesco.org, n.d.).
Film
Films are recordings of moving images that convey stories, that people watch on a screen or television (Meriam-Webster, n.d.).
2. Review of Literature
Unity
Without a doubt, the diverse multiracial society is Malaysia’s greatest strength (Mei and David, 2009). However, the society also poses a great challenge to the survival of our nation (Shahnon M. S., Anitawati L. and Abd Rasid A., 2013). Despite our goals and objectives and the current state of peace, researcher, Chandra (1989) noted that race relations have deteriorated through the decades. He observed in 1989, there were less social interaction among different ethnic communities, increasing distrust, prejudice and suspicion than ever before. The same sentiment was brought up by Teo Kok Seong (2009) in which he argued that race relations in Malaysia is merely superficial. Quote Teo, “appears good on the outside, but not on the inside”.
The observations and statement made by the respective scholars above-mentioned were reinforced by empirical data gathered through an opinion poll survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research in 2011. The survey found that the public confidence in ethnic relations has shown a decline from 78% in 2006 to 66% in 2011.
Chandra (1989) attributed the cause of the deteriorating of race relations in Malaysia to several factors of which Muzaffar (2010) further reinforced. Among the major factors, some were due to divisive public policies in education, discrimination in the private sector, manipulation of ethnic sentiments by political parties, lack of understanding of each other’s position, interests and sensitivities etc.
National unity may not lead to nation building but nation-building requires national unity (Syed A. I. and Latiffah P., 1988).
Youth and Film
Youth in Malaysia are categorized as individuals aged from 15 to 24 years. Owing to the stable economic growth of the country in the recent years, the population of youth in Malaysia has been increasing significantly (Al Johani A. and Turiman S., 2015). For instance, in 2010, there were 10.1 million of youth. This was an increase of 2.7 million from the previous year (MalaysiaYouthPolicy, 2014).
An Analysis of Youth Perception on Women in a Malay Romance in 2014 stated that 76.9%
of the respondents agreed that films in general have significant influence on how youths manage their relationships (Sheila Yvonne J., Nurzihan Hassima and Nur Leila K., 2014).
They claim that films could illustrate how one should solve problems and communicate to their significant other (Sheila Yvonne J., Nurzihan Hassima and Nur Leila K., 2014).
Meanwhile, 65.4% of respondents claim films have influenced their beliefs and attitudes because they spread awareness of social issues to audiences (Sheila Yvonne J., Nurzihan Hassima and Nur Leila K., 2014). This statement was made based on their personal development. The youth group also added that films transmit important values for a person’s betterment and provide a different perspective in his or her life (Sheila Yvonne J., Nurzihan Hassima and Nur Leila K., 2014).
Effects of Film
Movies affect viewers in a powerful way, owing to the combined impact of images, music, dialogue, lighting, sound and special effects that can elicit deep feelings and help us reflect on our lives (Mahmood, 2013). Films can help us understand our own lives, the lives of those around us and even how our society and culture operate (Mahmood, 2013).
The creator of Popeye, E.C. Segar, was credited by the spinach growers because sales were up by 33% in times of the US crisis in the 1930s (Karsh, 2016). Due to its popularity (TV series and film), Popeye had become a role model for children in the US who then changed their eating habits and begun eating more spinach to grow strong and muscular.
It has become increasingly apparent to researchers that with its rise in popularity, film has become a teaching tool for how to behave in society (Peel, 2011). This ability for the media to shape social interactions, has led many to theorize on how mass media alters the individual (Peel, 2011).
3. Methodology
Methodology, according to Polit and Hungler (2004), refers to the various ways of obtaining, organizing and analyzing data. According to Mouton (1996) it is the means or methods of doing something. Methodology in researches usually refers to how the research was done and its logical sequence.
To conduct this research, only qualitative methods were used such a textual analysis and questions for an in-depth interview were taken from the textual analysis for 12 respondents of different age, gender and race.
Qualitative research is a type of scientific research that consist of an investigation to seek answers to a question, systematically uses a predefined set of procedures to answer the question, collects evidence, produces findings that were not determined in advance and are applicable beyond the immediate boundaries of the study (Griffin, n.d.). The strength of
qualitative research is its ability to provide complex textual descriptions of how people experience a given research issue (Griffin, n.d.).
4. Findings of Textual Analysis
To carry out the analysis, the researcher watched the film twice to understand its content, twice to take notes and once again to double check on the quotes and the timing. In total, the researcher has watched the film 5 times to conclude the textual analysis. Below are selected explanations from the analysis:
During the ‘Himpunan Maruah Melayu’ protest (2015); Although Malays’ rights were the issue that was being protested about, many Malays stood up against their own to defend other fellow Malaysians. This was indeed a beautiful sight to witness. Instead of staying out of it, they chose to stand together with other Malaysians against individuals of their own race.
Personally, I feel that the screenplay writer needs to be credited for very cleverly putting a statement of racism without turning it into a sensitive issue. Racism against one race or the other in Malaysia is deemed as an extremely sensitive topic to be debated and discussed, although it should for people to discover the problem and a solution. Instead, Malaysians would rather not speak about racism although it is an issue that his highly prevalent in our society. This scene gives away a subtle hint of how some Malaysians, discriminate others and are unwilling to work and cooperate for their physical differences.
This term “cover me/you” is usually used when someone needs another person to watch their back. This local term was very cleverly integrated into the film. At 1:31:44, the scene tells the viewers that it’s human to make mistakes and when a team member falls, we’ve got their back. Applied to the Malaysian context, this was visible in 2016 when Lee Chong Wei lost the Olympic Gold Medal. Malaysians from all over the world stood together in support of Chong Wei even when he apologized to us for disappointing the country. No one was upset or angered by his loss, everyone came together as one, on social media and some even went the extra mile to receive him at the airport to show their support and gratitude.
During the final match, the members of the team lose their motivation to play. Muthu stands up and speaks the above stated dialogue to encourage the team. This scene truly inspires national unity. Malaysians of different races, background, color have come together as truly just ‘Malaysians’ to support their national team. And this in return, inspires the team to get back on their feet and make their country proud.
The finding of the textual analysis concludes that the film ‘Ola Bola’ does indeed contain elements of unity. Some aren’t as obvious as others and some are parts that make up being united. It is safe to say that the viewers will be able to understand the value the movie is trying to impose or instill but an in-depth interview will be carried out with 12 Malaysian participants to reflect on whether the presence of said, elements, inspires them to unite.
In-depth Interview
In-depth interview is a technique that involves conducting intensive individual interviews with a small number of respondents to explore their perspectives on an idea, program, or situation (Mack et al., 2005). In-depth interviews are useful when you want detailed information about a person’s thoughts and behaviors or want to explore new issues in depth (Crabtree and Miller, 1992). It is used in place of focus groups if the potential participants may not be included or comfortable talking openly in a group, or when you want to distinguish individual opinions about the said research question (Crabtree and Miller, 1992).
Participants
For the second part of the research, 12 participants have been selected from the several higher educational institutions in Malaysia, and further divided by gender, age and race. We’ve used two sampling methods: Purposive Sampling and Snowball Sampling.
The purposive sampling technique, also called judgment sampling, is the deliberate choice of an informant due to the qualities the informant possesses (Tongco, 2007). It is a nonrandom technique that does not need underlying theories or a set number of informants (Palys, 2008).
In layman’s term, the researcher decides what needs to be known and sets out to find people who can and are willing to provide the information by knowledge or experience (Bernard 2002, Lewis & Sheppard 2006).
Snowball sampling is a nonprobability method for developing a research sample where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances (Research Office, 2010). This sampling technique is often used in hidden populations which are difficult for researchers to access (such as drug users or commercial sex workers), or in cases where a sampling frame is hard to establish and it is assumed that cases are affiliated through links that can be exploited to locate other respondents based on existing ones (Katz, 2006).
Research Question 1: Do films make an impact on the youth?
Most of the respondents felt that film has the power to make you ‘feel’ and it has the power to teach people life lessons. They also related how certain films have affected their physicality, as in few of them pointed out that watching certain films, gives them goosebumps and raises their heartbeat level. Many also mentioned that films affect them mentally, in terms that they feel sad during a sad scene and end up crying. Participant 5, gave an example of a movie “Man in the house”, which he claims teaches men not just to be baby makers but to also take up the responsibility of a father. Which he thinks these days, are a rarity. With this the research question on, “If films impact youth”, it can be concluded that films do leave an impact on youth but it’s level of impact depends on the individual itself and how they consume and interpret film. This is supported by the Cultivation and Social Cognitive Theory.
Research Question 2: Are there elements of unity in the film Ola Bola (2016)
All the participants have accepted to the fact that the film portrayed various elements of unity.
Research Question 3: What is the feedback given by the Malaysian youth on the film Ola Bola (2016)?
When viewers watch a film, they make interpretations of it and for views. The majority of the participants gave positive reviews of the film and encouraged more films as such to be made.
Participant 2, even compared that ‘Ola Bola’ was a movie of better quality as compared to other Malaysian films in the market that focus on romance sentiments. The participant also added during the interview that Malaysian films are very predictable and they always surround the same storyline. But the same can’t be said for ‘Ola Bola’ as it is truly a unique film.
Out of curiosity, during the interview session I chose to ask the participants if they though it was clever for the filmmaker to use sports to bring people together. As we all know late night football matches bring many Malaysians out of their houses and to coffee shops, bars and
‘Mamak’ restaurants. Regardless of identity and background, every Malaysian is there supporting for their favorite team. As a response to this question, all the participants unanimously agreed that sport is an element which brings people together in Malaysia and it was clever that these filmmakers took that opportunity to convey the message of togetherness.
Research Question 4: Are the Malaysian youth convinced that the elements of unity in the film Ola Bola (2016) would be able to foster unity?
Seven of twelve respondents claimed that the movie was very inspiring to them. Majority of the respondents agreed that the movie could foster national unity, except for a couple respondents who claimed the movie should have had that impact but they don’t feel it does.
Participant 5, who is from East Malaysia didn’t quite agree with the rest of the respondents.
He felt as if only Peninsular Malaysian were included in the film and they were no
representation of the East except for the fact that the character, Eric, was from Sabah.
Following are some of the conflicting views:
Although majority respondents claim the film is able to foster unity, the views of other need to be considered as well. All in all, the respondent’s answer conclude that it depends on the individual. Their culture, background, mentality, all influences their thought process and how receptive they are towards the message of the film. Given that majority did indeed agree and validate that the film does have messages of unity to be instilled and the film had won a special jury award at the Malaysia Film Festival for ‘National Unity’, we can confidently conclude that research question 4 has been fulfilled to investigate what it has set out to.
5. Conclusion
This research sets out to determine whether film has the means to cultivate, instil or inspire values in its’ viewers. Specifically, the study aims to investigate whether ‘Ola Bola’ can foster unity among Malaysian youth. The findings of this study show that film has an impact on youth. The youth experience bodily and mind changes when they watch a film of great quality. Some claim to have experienced goosebumps while watching a sentimental scene or a horrifying scene in a horror film. Some claim to have cried during a sad moment in a film and burst into laughter during a comedy scene. Some have also learnt lessons from films they watch. All different degrees of impact but one conclusion: films touch lives.
The second finding of this research is that if we play close attention, good quality movies contain several elements of values. This film, Ola Bola, stresses two things throughout the film from beginning to end: Teamwork and Unity. They’ve portrayed that without these two elements, negative things will keep occurring but with unity and teamwork, positivity will fill lives. This is particularly evident in the comparison of the very first match under the coaching of Coach Harry and the final match. Even antagonist characters begin showing positive traits as the team begin coming together in unity.
The third finding of the movie is that the film has garnered a majority of positive reviews but the negative ones should be taken in, in a constructive manner. For example, most of Peninsular Malaysians didn’t notice that the East Malaysians weren’t included a large portion of the film. An absence of which we wouldn’t have noticed if an East Malaysian didn’t point out. Although the movie was of good quality, a Malaysian film about unity should include every component and individual that makes up Malaysia. Sure, every movie has its shortcomings therefore, this is a point to be taken note for future filmmakers.
The final finding is the major concern of this study. The film ‘Ola Bola’ truly did a good job at attempting to foster unity among Malaysians. They excelled in conveying their message, which is what every participant of this interview agreed on. Though there were doubts on whether East Malaysians were inspired by the film and how other individuals perceive and interpret the information. Given that there’s a major limitation in the sampling size, unfortunately the research can’t represent the entire population of Malaysian youth. But what it can confirm is that the film has good values that every Malaysian should uphold to ensure that we live in harmony and peace and they film outdid many other Malaysian films.
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