

Director: Amir Muhammad

Synopsis
It is "supposedly" a documentary/film about the life of Chin Peng, leader of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP).

My thoughts ...

-- Without reading any reviews/news prior to watching, I guess I was UNPREPARED for the approach. I did not watch it at the Singapore International Film Festival. 

However, its premier at the Berlin Film Festival 2006 and some reviews at sgfilm.com prompted me to watch when it was released for "normal" screening at The PictureHouse.

-- Unlike many "serious" documentaries, it took various unorthodox approach ...
e.g., the "supposed" last communist was NEVER shown ... in pictures or video or anything ... except in text ...
e.g., there are little (if any at all) archival pictures/clips/etc except for the last peace talk (where the dialogues are "mimicked" based on transcripts) ...

-- Audience are gonna leave the film with MIXED opinions. At the end, some might feel they have "lived" through those time and places while others might wonder if they have really learned much about "The Last Communist" (i.e., his personality, his thoughts, his motivation, etc ...). So, go watch and decide for yourself ... 

-- Anyway, regarding the approach

... the director tries to make the audience "live" through those times through interviews with current residents in those places (e.g., Sitiawan, Bidor, Taiping, Ipoh and Betong etc) or some who have survived those times ...

... also, he has several "musical" numbers which kind of pay tribute to earlier 1940s TV ads (but also kind of satirizes) ... again, decide for yourself ...

Conclusion
A very "different/unorthodox" approach towards documentary.
I am not sure if everyone likes it (in terms of "style"). 
As usual, I guess some will like the "style" while others will frown upon it.

* Disclaimer: 
The following is simply an article from the director's weblog ...
it does NOT in any way reflect the board member's opinion ... 

Given the diversity in world culture, religion, beliefs, etc ...
please be respectful of every country's decision if you feel like commenting on the article ... * 

(from the director's weblog)

Why is Lelaki Komunis Terakhir banned in Malaysia?
see
http://lastcommunist.blogspot.com/2006/05/why-is-lelaki-komunis-terakhir-banned.html