Most of us tends to zoned out while in front of the television. We become brainless zombies as we watch whatever that’s coming through the television. Brainwashed by the controlled media. We only see whatever that is presented to us by the mass media and yet we fail to see whatever that is actually happening around us, right under our own noses.

The 15Malaysia short film, Gerhana directed by James Lee depict a scene where two secret lovers rendezvous in a plush hotel room while the TV news is read in the background. An eerie and dark look on apathy in Malaysia. Take a look at the embedded video.

Not only that we tend to zone out most of the time watching the news, but when we were paying attention we tend to focus on other insignificant matters instead of focusing on the real issues.

The two characters, with the language they use and their dressing, suggest that they are upper class Malaysian. Even the upper class are media zombies. People only see what’s going on only when it’s on the news.

At the end of the film we got to see that there is actually nothing on the TV set except static snow and noise. A good touch, as it gives the surreal feeling that what they are watching isn’t real.

If the soundtrack sounds familiar it is because its from the track ‘Why is Adam King’ by a local post-rock, shoegaze band, Furniture.

Don’t forget to check out the making of Gerhana.