| Izah Azahari |
IN CONJUNCTION with World Autism Awareness Month 2016, the Times Cineplex invited a number of guests from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies to an early screening of the new film, Redha.
Present at the event were Times Cineplex’s owner and Managing Director, Hambali bin Pehin Dato Haji Md Salleh; the main actor of the film, Harith Haziq; and Redha Director, Tunku Mona Riza.
Speaking to the Bulletin, Tunku Mona Riza explained that Redha is a family movie about a husband and wife with an autistic child. When reality finally hits, the father goes into denial as the mother struggles to have him accept their child.
“The film is not only about autism. This is a story about all of us because when you see the film, it is basically about society,” said the director, adding, “It’s a reflection of who we are today in relation to a subject that is hardly being spoken about or realised.”
She explained that the idea for the movie came about over a conversation about her next film project for television, during which the word ‘autism’ played in her mind, spurring her to research the issue.
Times Cineplex Managing Director Hambali bin Pehin Dato Haji Md Salleh (2L); Harith Haziq, the actor playing the main role in the film; Tunku Mona Riza, Director of Redha; and members of NGOs in Brunei. – IZAH AZAHARI
“That’s when I realised that there are so many Monas out there who are just as shallow about autism, so I thought that this is a good angle to go about in telling a story. But after getting to know them, I realised after two years of research that it is not just a story, it is alive and it is happening every day.”
The director hopes the movie helps create acceptance and awareness, propelling individuals who know little about autism to learn about it, and for families with autistic children to feel comfortable in bringing their children out in public.
Meanwhile, the Times Cineplex managing director noted that Times Cineplex is happy to be a part of the event. The objective of their involvement was to ultimately create awareness of the issue among the public, the government, NGOs and to shed light on the difficulties encountered by parents with autistic children.
Hambali added, Times Cineplex is working with a number of bodies in hopes of getting more support for the NGOs, especially from the government, as well as to lessen the burden of parents.
“We have to understand, it is a very complicated issue and parents need all the support that they can get,” he said, adding “It’s good to know that there are a number of NGOs that have been doing a very good job, however, they cannot sustain or improve without the support of the public and other institutions as well as establishments.”
Also present during the event were members from government agencies, Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei and Learning Ladders.
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