"The Malaysian Chinese Experience" to showcase films reflecting reality of Chinese Malaysians (with photos)
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The programme is presented by the Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and guest-curated by Michaël Le Cardinal.
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic nation with diverse cultures, languages and religions. However, the cinema of Malaysia had been characterised by a long tradition of mainstream films that focus on the Malay majority, neglecting other ethnic groups. Not until the release of Amir Muhammad's multi-ethnic, multilingual film "Lips to Lips", Malaysia's first full-length feature shot on digital video in 2000 did the generation of young Chinese Malaysian film authors from different backgrounds, known as "Malaysian digital indies", voice the concerns of the ethnic and cultural diversity of Malaysia in their own ways.
Yasmin Ahmad's "Sepet" (2004) centres on an inter-racial romance between a Malay girl, who is a fan of Hong Kong films, and a Chinese boy. The film won the Best Asian Film Award at the 18th Tokyo International Film Festival, Best Film at the 27th Créteil International Women's Film Festival, Best Film at the Global Chinese Golden Arts Awards 2005 and other awards.
Directed by Tan Chui Mui, "Love Conquers All" (2006) features a young girl who moves to Kuala Lumpur from Penang and works at her aunt's stall, where she encounters a man pursuing her fervently. The film won awards at numerous international film festivals, including the FIPRESCI Prize and the New Currents Award at the 11th Busan International Film Festival, the Feature Film Grand Prize City of Lisbon at the 4th IndieLisboa International Film Festival and the Golden Digital Award at the 31st Hong Kong International Film Festival.
In "Rain Dogs" (2006), a young man searching for his brother leaves his home village for Kuala Lumpur and embarks on an unforgettable journey. The film earned Ho Yuhang Best Director at the 28th Festival of the Three Continents and the 3rd New Talent Award at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival.
The feature debut of Yeo Joon Han, "Sell Out!" (2008) is a satirical musical following an ambitious host of a TV arts show and a designer who has invented a multifunctional household appliance. The film won the Young Cinema Award for Alternative Vision at the 65th Venice Film Festival and the NETPAC Award at the 45th Golden Horse Awards.
Starring Chui Tien-you, Kara Wai and Ng Meng-hui, "At the End of Daybreak" (2009) is a work of Ho Yuhang which tells the tragedy of Tuck Chai, a young man who lives with his mother and is having a relationship with an underage schoolgirl. The film earned Wai multiple awards, including Best Supporting Actress at the 46th Golden Horse Awards and the NETPAC Award at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival as well as Best Actress at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards.
In the gangster film "Call If You Need Me" (2009), the gentle and easy-going Or Kia moves from the countryside to Kuala Lumpur to work for his cousin, who is a gangster. From then on, their lives change. Directed by James Lee, the film won Special Mention of the Southeast Asian Competition at the 7th Bangkok International Film Festival and the Silver Digital Award at the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Set in the old town of Malacca, Charlotte Lim's "My Daughter" (2009) is a delicate tale of the love-hate relationship between a lonely, insecure girl and her hairdresser single mum. The film won the Special Jury Award at the 9th Marrakech International Film Festival and the International Critics' Award at the 12th Deauville Asian Film Festival.
Directed by Ho Yuhang, the short film "Trespassed" (2016) will premiere in Hong Kong. The film depicts a caring mother who tries desperately to protect her mentally troubled daughter. The film won Best Film in the FT/Oppenheimer Funds Emerging Voices Awards 2015. The film will be screened alongside "At the End of Daybreak".
"Rain Dogs" and "At the End of Daybreak" are in Cantonese and Putonghua, "Love Conquers All" and "Call If You Need Me" are in Cantonese, Putonghua and Malay, "Sepet" is in Cantonese, English and Malay, "Sell Out!" is in Cantonese, Putonghua and English, "My Daughter" is in Putonghua and Malay and "Trespassed" is in Putonghua. "Rain Dogs", "At the End of Daybreak", "Sell Out!" and "Love Conquers All" are with Chinese and English subtitles. The other films are with English subtitles. "Call If You Need Me" is classified as Category III, so only persons aged 18 and above will be admitted.
Some of the screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks with free admission. Except for the post-screening talk on "My Daughter", which will be conducted in Cantonese, the other post-screening talks will be conducted in Cantonese and English.
Tickets priced at $55 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/mce/index.html.
Ends/Friday, February 2, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:30
Issued at HKT 17:30
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