Latest news with #TsMasturaMuhammad
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Divided voices of Seribu Tahun reflect Malaysia's growing media maturity
In a local TV landscape often filled with predictable plots and familiar tropes, Seribu Tahun has quietly emerged as a bold outlier. The Malay-language drama, which has sparked conversations across social media, stepped into rarely explored territory, weaving LGBT themes into its storyline while firmly grounded in Malay-Muslim cultural contexts. Unlike shows designed to provoke controversy for attention, Seribu Tahun took a different path: it doesn't push agendas, it invites dialogue. Through emotional storytelling and layered characters, it challenges viewers to reflect, not react — offering a rare lens into conversations often left unheard in mainstream Malaysian media. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation lecturer, Ts Mastura Muhammad viewed this public discourse as a sign of progress rather than division. 'The polarised response to Seribu Tahun reveals the evolving state of public discourse in Malaysia. These reactions reflect a society negotiating its values, caught between maintaining traditional norms and grappling with modern complexities. 'Rather than viewing this division as a weakness, it signals the maturity of a media-literate public willing to critically engage with content,' she told Sinar Daily. The series stands out precisely because it refuses to offer simple answers or push a singular perspective. Instead, Seribu Tahun contextualises the struggles of its characters with nuance and care. This approach transforms mainstream media into a dynamic arena for national conversation, provided stories like these are handled with depth and ethical clarity. Mastura emphasised that the drama's layered storytelling offers multiple perspectives rather than promoting a specific ideology or identity. In Malaysia, television drama is often seen as light entertainment, an escape from daily life. But Seribu Tahun challenges this perception. Mastura pointed out that drama can and should serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue. The Seribu Tahun debates reflect a growing public willingness to think critically, engage deeply and confront complexity. Photo: Facebook 'Audience reactions, especially those expressed via platforms like TikTok, have offered thoughtful interpretations of the show's themes, drawing from both social and religious frameworks. These kinds of responses contribute to a richer and more constructive media environment than the usual reception given to formulaic romantic dramas. 'In contrast to other local productions that have mishandled sensitive themes, such as the casual acknowledgment of biological fathers in cases of children born out of wedlock, a portrayal that contradicts Islamic teachings, Seribu Tahun demonstrates a more ethically grounded narrative approach. 'Controversial issues in the series are carefully contextualised or resolved, reflecting a sincere effort to balance creative freedom with cultural and religious considerations,' she added. Malaysia's society is often labelled as conservative, but this simplification overlooks the rich diversity of moral and ideological standpoints held across its population. For filmmakers navigating this landscape, ethical storytelling becomes a tightrope walk. 'Directors and scriptwriters must navigate this complex terrain, shaped by regulation, religious sensitivities and public expectations. Ethical representation in such a setting demands commitment to narrative integrity without falling into sensationalism. 'When addressing taboo topics like LGBT identities, religion, or intersexuality (khunsa), it is crucial for filmmakers to craft portrayals that are contextually relevant, culturally respectful and ethically responsible,' she mentioned. The reach of television drama means these stories carry the power to amplify voices too often sidelined. More than just showing these identities or issues, such narratives invite society to listen and reflect rather than react in knee-jerk fashion. Through these stories, Mastura said that we can come closer to understanding Malaysia's heterogeneous social fabric, rather than perpetuating the illusion of cultural uniformity.
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Seribu Tahun opens dialogue, not agendas, on LGBTQ+ themes in Malay-Muslim storytelling
For many Malaysians who tuned into Seribu Tahun, the show's exploration of LGBTQ+ themes might appear bold, even unexpected. But to those who have closely followed the trajectory of its creators, this narrative choice felt like an earnest effort to grapple with the realities on our social periphery. Through heightened emotion, layered storytelling and a cultural lens rooted in local sensibilities, it dares to engage with contemporary issues often whispered but rarely explored in mainstream media. A deliberate and responsible narrative approach Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation lecturer, Ts Mastura Muhammad believes this approach is far from haphazard. It is, in fact, grounded in deep cultural reflection and narrative responsibility. 'I approach Seribu Tahun with a critical awareness of its narrative ambition and the socio-cultural realities it seeks to engage. Having followed the director and production team's earlier works, it is clear they consistently produce high-quality content grounded in Malay-Muslim sociocultural contexts. 'Within this framework, the inclusion of LGBT themes in Seribu Tahun does not come across as an imposed agenda, but rather as a deliberate, reflective engagement with pressing contemporary issues. 'This thematic direction suggests a responsible and courageous attempt to expose, educate and interrogate societal anxieties; often through narrative exaggeration or heightened emotion to ensure audience engagement,' she said in an interview with Sinar Daily. Mastura pointed out that the series is not merely provocative for provocation's sake, but instead strives to expose, educate and interrogate societal anxieties, often through narrative exaggeration or heightened emotion to ensure audience engagement. But how does this creative risk play out within Malaysia's complex cultural and religious tapestry? To understand that, Mastura suggests we shift our view of media from mirror to lens. 'In the Malaysian context, the common saying 'art imitates life' may oversimplify the role of media. A more fitting interpretation might be that art represents life; filtered through cultural, political and narrative conventions. 'Since genres like science fiction are still developing in our local television landscape, most Malaysian dramas remain rooted in social realism, thereby serving as platforms for social commentary. Within this genre, directors often use heightened storytelling elements to maintain emotional engagement. 'It is essential, however, to view a drama series in its entirety rather than focusing on isolated scenes. Often, controversial moments are juxtaposed with scenes that offer resolution or contextual balance. 'This dialectical structure - tension followed by resolution - is central to storytelling. Thus, even representations of LGBT identities that may provoke discomfort can spark necessary dialogue within Malaysia's multicultural and multi-religious society,' she added. Seribu Tahun's narrative sparks dialogue, not agendas, on LGBT themes in Malay-Muslim storytelling. Photo: Facebook The importance of media literacy and audience interpretation Of course, any depiction of marginalised communities - particularly in a conservative society - risks misinterpretation. But here, media literacy plays a crucial role. Mastura highlighted the shift away from outdated assumptions of how media influences audiences. 'From a media studies lens, it is important to recognise that audience reception is neither passive nor homogenous. Viewers interpret content through a range of filters -cultural background, religious belief, education and socio-political context. 'The once-dominant 'hypodermic needle' theory of media influence has long given way to more nuanced models like encoding or decoding, which recognise varied audience interpretations. 'The fear that media representation directly shapes youth behaviour is often exaggerated and not strongly supported by empirical evidence. On the contrary, when stories involving marginalised identities are told with cultural sensitivity and narrative depth, they can foster empathy, understanding and critical reflection,' she said. It is within this space - 'between provocation and pedagogy, representation and restraint,' as Mastura puts it - that Seribu Tahun finds its power and perhaps, its purpose.
