We recently connected with Maran Perianen and have shared our conversation below.

Maran, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

As documentary filmmakers, we strongly believe in giving voice to the voiceless. With this guiding principle in mind, Far East Documentary took the initiative to tell the story of the marginalized indigenous community known as the Orang Seletar. Through a powerful documentary, we aimed to highlight their plight and bring attention to their marginalized existence.

Our journey began by immersing ourselves in the historical and cultural fabric of the Seletar community. We conducted extensive interviews with community members, capturing their stories, wisdom, and their deep connection to their ancestral land. By documenting their daily lives and struggles, we sought to showcase their resilience and profound respect for the environment.

Furthermore, our documentary delved into the complex legal intricacies surrounding the community’s land grab and impending eviction. We meticulously traced the steps that led to their predicament, shedding light on the systematic injustices they faced.

However, our commitment to the Seletar community didn’t end with the completion of the film. We continued to collaborate with the community, using our documentary as a powerful tool for education, advocacy, and fundraising. By organizing screenings and events, we aimed to raise awareness, foster understanding, and encourage tangible support for the community.

Through telling the stories of underrepresented communities like the Orang Seletar, we aimed to provide them with a glimmer of hope and reassurance that someone cares about their plight. Our documentary served as a catalyst for change, amplifying the Seletar community’s voice, galvanizing support, and ultimately contributing to the preservation of their land and cultural heritage.

Far East Documentary recognizes the transformative power of storytelling. By leveraging our expertise and platform, we dedicated ourselves to serving marginalized communities like the Seletar Indigenous community. Our goal was to ensure that their story reached a wide audience, fostering empathy, understanding, and driving tangible impact.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Far East Documentary was founded in 2016 by myself and Indrani Kopal, leveraging our journalism backgrounds and experiences working with Malaysia’s largest news portal. Our shared passion for storytelling and our desire to shed light on underrepresented communities and important social issues led us to establish our production company.

We firmly believe in the transformative power of storytelling to evoke empathy, raise awareness, and drive meaningful change. As such, our primary focus at Far East Documentary is on creating high-quality documentary films that tackle pressing social, cultural, and environmental issues head-on. Our goal is to tell authentic stories that captivate audiences, foster understanding, and inspire action.

While our main clients are broadcasters, we also collaborate with advocacy groups and corporate organizations. We provide thought-provoking and visually compelling documentaries that not only inform but also engage and mobilize their target audiences. Through our work, we help our clients elevate their narratives, create social impact, and raise awareness about the issues that deeply matter to them.

What sets Far East Documentary apart is our unwavering commitment to in-depth research, immersive storytelling, and the ability to establish genuine connections with the communities we document. We approach each project with respect, cultural sensitivity, and a dedication to ethical storytelling. By spending ample time on the ground, building trust, and truly understanding the lived experiences of the communities we feature, we ensure that their voices are authentically represented.

Our proudest moments come from the impact our documentaries have had on raising awareness and driving positive change. Whether it’s shedding light on marginalized communities, advocating for social justice, or addressing urgent environmental concerns, our films have sparked conversations, influenced policy decisions, and inspired action. The potential for our stories to make a difference is something we hold dear.

To potential clients, followers, and fans, we want to convey that Far East Documentary is driven by a dedication to creating powerful, thought-provoking, and visually stunning documentaries. We firmly believe in the importance of amplifying marginalized voices, fostering empathy, and generating positive social impact. Through our work, we aim to inspire individuals and organizations to join us in creating a more equitable, compassionate, and sustainable world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to express oneself and communicate ideas, emotions, and perspectives through one’s chosen medium. It provides a unique outlet for self-expression and allows artists to tap into their imagination and creativity freely.

In the specific context of the Seletar documentary, being the filmmaker or creative behind it was an incredibly fulfilling and humbling experience. It provided us at Far East Documentary with the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the Seletar community, to truly understand their experiences, and to tell their stories in a way that raises awareness about the challenges they face.

As filmmakers, we strive for authenticity and impact in our work. By dedicating ourselves to the Seletar documentary, we were able to capture the nuances and intricacies of their lives, creating a powerful reflection of their reality. It became more than just a project; it became a part of us, shaping our understanding of the world and leaving a lasting impression.

The reward goes beyond the completion of the documentary itself. Through our involvement, we gained a deeper appreciation for the diversity of human experiences and a heightened sense of empathy. The emotions, colors, nuances, and memories we experienced while telling their story became a part of our own journey as artists and creatives.

Moreover, the impact of the documentary extends to the audience as well. By sharing the Seletar community’s story, we hope to open minds, challenge perceptions, and inspire action. The reward lies in knowing that our creative work can create positive change, spark conversations, and contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

As creatives, there are aspects of our journey that may seem alien to others. One such aspect is the depth of emotional investment we have in our work. When we become captivated by a story, we wholeheartedly immerse ourselves in it, pouring our emotions, thoughts, and personal experiences into the narrative. This process makes it deeply personal and vulnerable, something that others may find challenging to comprehend and connect with.

Another significant aspect is the constant evolution we experience as creatives. Our journey requires patience, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to learning and growth. We become fully absorbed in the story we are crafting, where time seems to dissolve, enabling us to achieve a heightened state of focus and productivity. This allows us to unleash our creative potential and produce our best work.

Additionally, solitude and reflection play crucial roles in our creative process. We often need moments of quiet introspection to delve into our inner thoughts, contemplate ideas, and find clarity. These periods of solitude provide the necessary space for inspiration and the development of our creative vision.

Lastly, as creatives, we naturally gravitate towards pushing the boundaries of societal norms and constantly seeking improvement in our craft. We have an inherent drive to challenge the status quo, explore new perspectives, and surpass our own creative limits. This desire for growth and innovation is an integral part of our artistic journey.

These aspects of our creative journey may seem unfamiliar or difficult to grasp for those who are not deeply involved in the creative process. However, they are fundamental to our creative expression and contribute to the unique stories and artworks we create.     

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.fareastdoc.com/

Image Credits
Far East Documentary