Titled “Trapped People”, the film focuses on the plight and struggles of the people who form the backbone of Malaysia: immigrant workers.

As the audience watches on, there is a palpable sense of dismay and disgust as the documentary reveals the atrocities suffered by members of this community, often at the hands of Malaysians.

And as the credits begin to roll, there is a brief moment of silence. Filmmaker Mahi Ramakrishnan holds her breath – that is, until the round of applause begins.

Afterwards, she lets out a sigh of relief. It seems like a year’s worth of work has not gone to waste and the film’s message has been conveyed, as she had hoped it would.

It takes a while before she is finally free to speak with FMT about her recent work and why she continues the eternal fight.

Nearly two decades have been invested in working to protect the rights of refugees and migrant workers, and it seems the battle is nowhere close to being over yet.

“The issues are dizzyingly complex,” Mahi said as she sat down with FMT. “They are similar yet different when it comes to refugees and migrant workers.”

For Mahi, a film highlighting the injustice and cruelties faced by migrant workers in Malaysia is timely, even if society at large refuses to acknowledge the issue at hand.

With many recent stories of migrant workers being mistreated in Malaysia, Mahi believed it was time for her to make a film highlighting the issue.

“Trapped People” is, hence, a small step by Mahi, with the support of NGO Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS), to kickstart the conversation that needs to be had by society.

While making “Trapped People”, Mahi was careful to ensure the voices of migrant workers took centrestage. This was their story, and it needed to be told.

Through PSWS’s connections, she managed to get in touch with migrant workers who had suffered abuse while working in Malaysia. There were difficulties, though, as some had traumatic experiences, including sexual abuse, that they were not eager to share on camera.

“Cameras are very intrusive,” Mahi noted. “When you put a camera in front of someone’s face, it is difficult to open up.”

It, therefore, took a lot of time and trust-building before they began to confide in Mahi. “I wanted them to be able to tell me what was important to them,” she added.

The self-described “human-rights defender” was first exposed to the abuses suffered by migrant workers while working as a journalist years ago.

“It’s one thing to hear stories and read media reports; it’s another to actually listen to these workers and become part of their world. Their experience affects you in a way you can’t even comprehend.”

Mahi pointed out the double standards that exist in Malaysia, where “migrant workers” are treated with disdain and “expatriates” with respect, despite both being of a similar nature.

“I can’t even understand why we think like this. I can safely say we have become really racist and xenophobic.”

According to her, this xenophobia largely stems from certain political leaders who find migrant workers to be boogeymen who can distract the public from real, pressing issues.

“Ask yourself: why are we so frightened of them? Why do we hate them? They work for our economy and they make so many things possible for Malaysians. Why the hate?”

There’s also an irony, Mahi said, that a multicultural society historically built on immigration would discriminate against migrants.

Referring to prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s “Malaysia Madani” policy, Mahi asserted that it needs to be inclusive of everyone who is part of Malaysian society, including migrant workers.

Mahi further emphasised the need for migrant workers to have platforms that allow their voices to be heard, so there can be meaningful change of mindsets and policies.

“We need to start engaging and mobilising Malaysians to knock on the doors of the authorities and their representatives,” she said.

She is aware, however, that many will not bother about a moral issue if it doesn’t personally affect them.

“As a filmmaker, I have realised that when I talk about difficult things, Malaysians tend to shut down because they have not experienced it,” she shared.

Still, Mahi insists, this doesn’t mean conversations about such issues cannot be had. “We need to help Malaysians look at migrant workers as people just like you and me – people with dreams and ambitions, just like what you have for your children.”