Telling Malaysian stories
July 27, 2009
Excerpt of an interview with The Nut Graph:
(All pics courtesy of Bernice Chauly)
BERNICE Chauly says her work as a poet, photographer, filmmaker and writer is all about telling stories. Her work often has themes of marginalisation and identity. She’s written a play about sex workers, taken pictures of refugees, and made documentaries about indigenous peoples and Kelantanese folk traditions. She has also published two collections of poems and a collection of short stories.
Chauly is currently working on a literary autobiography about her family history. “I’m very interested in stories, and what people have to say about themselves and who they are,” she says. “And I guess what I’m doing now is writing my own story.”
In an interview on 3 July 2009 in Petaling Jaya, Chauly talks to The Nut Graph about the roots of that fascination.
Where are you from and where are your parents from?
My father is Punjabi, my mother Chinese. I was born in Georgetown, at the Penang Maternity Hospital, in 1968. My father was born in Penang, my mother was born in Ipoh. My parents got married in 1966, which was not the norm at that time, and there was tremendous opposition from both sides of the family.
Bernice’s Chinese great grandparents with their children. Her grandfather, Loh Mooi Fatt, is standing on the far right.
To read the entire interview, please click on this link: The Nut Graph: Telling Malaysian Stories
into the ice
On 30 December 2004, Sharifah Mazlina became the first Malaysian, and the first Asian woman to complete a 1100km journey alone in the Antarctic. Her expedition also created a new world record as she traversed the terrain in only 22 days. This is her journey. Written by Bernice Chauly.
into 90 degrees north
On 17 April 2007, Sharifah Mazlina became Malaysia’s first woman to reach the North Pole and effectively became the first Asian woman to reach both North and South Poles. This 9 1/2 day expedition covered a distance of 110km from the last degree (89 degrees N) till the North Pole. This is her account of her second journey into the ice. Written by Bernice Chauly.
Neu Woman Achievers Award 2005 winner
March 16, 2009
Lost in KL review
March 3, 2009
Click on image to view full-sized
Review of Lost in KL, by SH Lim, in Time Out KL magazine
Angel
March 2, 2009
Click image to view full-sized
Commissioned by Myvi, Perodua Malaysia, one of eight artists selected to create work on the new car model.
Review of Going There and Coming Back, in Sunday Star
March 2, 2009
Photo by Bernice Chauly
Click on image to view article
Read going there and coming back, poems and prose by Bernice Chauly
Solo/Group Awards
March 2, 2009
Samsung ‘Ultra Honours’ 2006 in recognition of 3 outstanding Malaysians – only woman awarded. Other recipients were Tony Fernandez (CEO Air Asia) and Rizalman (fashion designer)
Anugerah Seri Angkasa for ‘Profil Seni’, Best Documentary Series 2006. (as one of 10 directors)
Neutrogena Neuwoman Award 2005 – one of 5 women honoured in their respective fields
Kakiseni Cameronian Art Awards for Best Play 2003. (as actor in an ensemble), Jit Murad’s Spilt Gravy on Rice, directed by Zahim Albakri
Gold Award for Best Documentary, Malaysian Video Awards 2000. (as writer, narrator, photographer)
Silver Award for Best Documentary, Malaysian Video Awards 1999. (as writer, narrator, photographer)
Silver Award for Best Short Film (Professional), Malaysian Video Awards 1998. (as writer, co-director)
Red Ribbon Award from Malaysian AIDS Council “One by One Festival” of monologues 1995. (as writer, actor)
Inner Winds article – Malay Mail
March 2, 2009
Click on image to view article full-sized
Article in Vida! magazine
March 2, 2009
