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AUTHOR(S): Fatimah Muhd Shukri, Anis Sofia Muhd Shukri, Aisyah Ainan Muhd Shukri, Sudirman Kiffli, Azmul Fadhli Kamaruzaman, Yuhanis Ibrahim
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TITLE Malaysian Heritage and Identity Through Wayang (2008): A Film by Hatta Azad Khan |
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ABSTRACT Hatta Azad Khan is an outstanding director in Malaysia, specifically in the film and theatre industries. His remarkable film, Wayang (2008), has gathered significant recognition within industry. The narrative circles around a puppeteer who is so devoted to preserving the fading tradition of 'wayang kulit’, which is being largely overlooked by modern society. Wayang has earned numerous national awards and stands as a cultural emblem that honors and showcases Malay heritage. Its cultural depth has also earned it a place in the in-flight entertainment lineup of several major airlines, including Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, Ijtihad, and Singapore Airlines. While the film has been well-received, research on heritage films in Malaysia is still scarce. Thus, this paper intends to contribute by applying Austin’s (2008) heritage film model. This study is guided by the central research question: How is heritage represented in Wayang through the lens of Austin’s model? To address this, content analysis is employed, extracting from both library research and a close observation of the film. The findings suggested that Wayang serves as a critical reflection on heritage and identity amidst a rapidly evolving society. By connecting personal narratives with wider cultural motives, the film both challenges traditional conceptions of artistic expression and affirms the richness of Malay heritage. |
KEYWORDS Wayang, Heritage Film, Cultural, 'wayang kulit’, Identity, Malaysian Film |
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Cite this paper Fatimah Muhd Shukri, Anis Sofia Muhd Shukri, Aisyah Ainan Muhd Shukri, Sudirman Kiffli, Azmul Fadhli Kamaruzaman, Yuhanis Ibrahim. (2025) Malaysian Heritage and Identity Through Wayang (2008): A Film by Hatta Azad Khan. International Journal of Cultural Heritage, 10, 12-20 |
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