Malaysian filmmakers highlight 'collateral damage' in fight against extremism

Documentaries seek to undermine appeal of militant Islamist groups

Animation by Arif Rafhan is woven into the Malaysian documentary "Perempuan Radikal." The film focuses on Wardah, a woman who was married to a Malaysian man who turned out to be involved with the militant Islamic State group in the Middle East. (Courtesy of Fat Bidin Media)

MARCO FERRARESE, Contributing writer

January 28, 2022 08:00 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- Kneeling on a prayer rug, Wardah, a Malaysian woman, recites prayers to soothe her wounded soul. The camera closes in on her fingers tracing phrases on the pages of the Quran she is holding. The woman seems to struggle for a moment. To this mother of three, the holy book of Islam is both an instrument of salvation, and the very reason her family has been shattered.

The story of Wardah, who was formerly married to a Malaysian man who turned out to be involved with the militant Islamic State group in the Middle East, is the focus of "Perempuan Radikal" (radical woman). Part documentary film, part animation by artist Arif Rafhan, the new movie was directed by Nora Nabila and produced by Fat Bidin Media in Kuala Lumpur.