Just Bitchin: Satu Ratus

A hundred issues. What a milestone, it’s not everyday that a magazine hits the big century mark. Thank you reader. Thank you for buying the magazine. For surfing the site. And for participating in our many KLue events. For all that support, a very big thank you.

It’s been a tough and very tiring journey getting to the big 1-0-0. In real world time, that clocks up close to six years. That’s a lot of time and effort made possible only with the support of many of you. So I would like to dedicate this milestone to the following:

To the Klang Valley. Without which there would be no KLue. You’ve been a great city and canvas. You might not get the international recognition of Singapore or Bangkok, but you are home. And in the chaotic cauldron of fickle bureaucrats, mad traffic, overzealous enforcement officers and misunderstood rempits, you are an exciting city that’s a continuing work in progress.

You are many things. Some good, some bad, but never dull. Thank you for providing us so much to write about.

This is also for the dreamers and the risk-takers, who chose the path less travelled. Not always because it’s trendy or the most profitable option, but because it’s the only path true to yourself. Thank you for not pandering to the lowest common denominator but sticking to your dream, no matter what. You make things just that much more colourful for all of us.

And for the many crowd-free plays/gigs/parties/screenings that we’ve attended, a special mention goes out to all of you. Thank you for not being discouraged and continuing to soldier on, to look forward and not back. There’s no shame in trying and doing your part in making a difference. Your perseverance and passion inspires us.

To that end, nothing embodies this spirit more than the indie filmmaking community who we’ve had the priviledge of covering practically from day one. From low-budget productions screened in college auditoriums to regional productions debuting in international film festivals today, the community has grown from strength to strength.

Achievements that are even greater in hindsight when you realise they were done entirely without institutional support. Here’s a testament to KL’s dynamism. We don’t need things served to us on a platter. Unlike in most other cities, we just make things happen. No wonder the world loves our films.

Let’s hope that where the film community has gone, others will soon follow, leading to many more interesting developments for us to cover.

I would also like to dedicate this to those who take our critical reviews in stride. Who try to improve rather than get mad. Thank you for not being among the minority who have written threatening letters or suing us over the years. The adage that “everyone’s entitled to an opinion” obviously only applies if it’s in agreement with one’s own views. But everyone can learn something from a bit of sharp criticism. Even us. In that sense, thank you to all who have written letters and emails to the magazine over the years pointing out our mistakes and urging us to do a better job.

Let’s not also forget the advertisers and partners who have supported us in many of our projects and initiatives. Those who believe in what we do and are excited to be a part of it indirectly fund the magazine as a platform to realise dreams and give voice to the city’s many deserving talents.

And lastly, to the KLue team who, through long hours and much stress, continue to put KLue out there, day after day, month after month, year after year. It’s a tough business and it takes that special breed to keep at it. We’ve been very fortunate here at KLue to have loads of such special individuals.

Did I ever think that we would ever hit this point when we started out in that tiny office in PJ? Without a doubt, the answer is yes. And the answer will still be the same when we hit our 200th issue. But let’s not stop at that. Let’s aim for the grand 1-0-0-0. Ah… such big dreams… yes… but why should our ambitions be minuscule, when so many of the Valley’s dreamers aim for the stars? Hard work, no doubt. Now, on with the show…

TEXT Adrian Yap PHOTO Shermen Mukhtar