You Are Here With Me
Running time : 8:35
I shot this today, documenting a moment in time. It has been something like 41 days that Malaysia has been in lockdown mode. Fear, conformity and social distancing are still a thing. The streets are empty. Businesses are still closed. People are still wearing face masks and gloves. But the animals, nature and wildlife are thriving. Skies are blue and when it rains, it pours - cleansing the air again with much need oxygen and water. Petrol prices have plummeted to al all time low, but there isn't much use for the thing anyway. Where I live, PJ - is part of the hardest hit states in the entire country. People are packed like sardines out here. Very dense. The numbers of cases in this state equals some countries on the lower tiers of the coronavirus map.
I used to travel a fair bit, driving around in my car. Now I'm limited to a 10km radius and even so, I don't plan to leave this zone we're quarantined in. Some 'essential' shops are still open : the restaurants for take away food, the grocer for fresh food, Tesco, Coffee Bean and some basic convenience stores. There is water and electricity and one can order anything online that one needs from online sites like Lazada, Shopee, Amazon and any other website that deliver goods. It's strange that not more people, artists or filmmakers are documenting this strange time. I wish there were more videos that show how life is in other hard hit areas - shown from clear lenses and not mainstream media or news (doctored) oriented sources. I don't read newspapers or watch TV. Can't remember the last time I did. Shooting this required no heavy resources, I have a very limited video recording setup anyway. It's not what you have but instead, what you are willing to do with what you have.
The numbers of daily new cases in Malaysia have already flattened thanks to people staying put at home. Hospitals have been able to keep up with the infected and the sick. The next date for an official announcement of whether this MCO lifts or extends is in mid May. We will make it. And I hope to see you again, on the other side.
Nicholas Choong, 25th April 2020
Running time : 8:35
I shot this today, documenting a moment in time. It has been something like 41 days that Malaysia has been in lockdown mode. Fear, conformity and social distancing are still a thing. The streets are empty. Businesses are still closed. People are still wearing face masks and gloves. But the animals, nature and wildlife are thriving. Skies are blue and when it rains, it pours - cleansing the air again with much need oxygen and water. Petrol prices have plummeted to al all time low, but there isn't much use for the thing anyway. Where I live, PJ - is part of the hardest hit states in the entire country. People are packed like sardines out here. Very dense. The numbers of cases in this state equals some countries on the lower tiers of the coronavirus map.
I used to travel a fair bit, driving around in my car. Now I'm limited to a 10km radius and even so, I don't plan to leave this zone we're quarantined in. Some 'essential' shops are still open : the restaurants for take away food, the grocer for fresh food, Tesco, Coffee Bean and some basic convenience stores. There is water and electricity and one can order anything online that one needs from online sites like Lazada, Shopee, Amazon and any other website that deliver goods. It's strange that not more people, artists or filmmakers are documenting this strange time. I wish there were more videos that show how life is in other hard hit areas - shown from clear lenses and not mainstream media or news (doctored) oriented sources. I don't read newspapers or watch TV. Can't remember the last time I did. Shooting this required no heavy resources, I have a very limited video recording setup anyway. It's not what you have but instead, what you are willing to do with what you have.
The numbers of daily new cases in Malaysia have already flattened thanks to people staying put at home. Hospitals have been able to keep up with the infected and the sick. The next date for an official announcement of whether this MCO lifts or extends is in mid May. We will make it. And I hope to see you again, on the other side.
Nicholas Choong, 25th April 2020