"History," writes Malaysia's leading playwright and director, Huzir Sulaiman, "is not what happens to nations and races. It's what happens to mothers and fathers, daughters and sons." In Occupation, a Malaysia-Singapore co-production commissioned to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore and Malaya, the young wizard of wit presents a vibrant tapestry of individual stories, accounts of survival and horror, betrayal and fortitude - garnered from the experiences of his family and many others - in order to explore the complexities of our history at a personal and psychological level. What is it like to be a spy in deep cover for years? How does one recover from the casual, brutal murder of a loved one? The most fascinating questions, Huzir asserts are the ones that deal with the internal workings of the mind and the heart.
This monologue performed by outstanding Singaporean stage actress, Claire Wong, consciously avoids casting stereotypes upon the main players of the war. In seeking to unearth our past in all its complexity, one sees beyond the passion and pain, the possibilities for reconciliation, acceptance and understanding.
