The Malaysian Chinese Experience: Award-winning Films On Chinese Malaysians

Description

Malaysia cinema has been characterised by a long tradition of mainstream films that focus on the Malay majority, neglecting other ethnic groups and their diverse cultures, languages and religions.

Amir Muhammad’s multi-ethnic, multilingual film Lips to Lips (2000), Malaysia’s first full-length digital feature, inspired the release of other movies voicing the reality of other ethnic groups. A selection of these films—that all have won numerous awards in Asia and beyond—will be screened as a part of the The Malaysian Chinese Experience film programme.

The programme features three movies by lauded filmmaker Ho Yuhang, and a selection of films directed by several other major Malaysian directors.

Sepet (2004) centres on an interracial romance between a Malay girl, who is a fan of Hong Kong films, and a Chinese boy.

Love Conquers All (2006) features a young girl who moves to Kuala Lumpur from Penang to work at her aunt’s stall. There she meets and falls in love with a man, even though she has a boyfriend back home.

In Rain Dogs (2006), a young man embarks on an unforgettable journey from his home village to Kuala Lumpur in search for his brother.

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.

At the End of Daybreak (2009) is a drama that chronicles the life and times of a 23-year-old layabout who lives with his mother and has a relationship with an underage schoolgirl.

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, both of their lives change.

Set in the old town of Malacca, My Daughter (2009) is a delicate tale of the love-hate relationship between a lonely, insecure girl and her single mum.

Screened for the first time in Hong Kong, the short film Trespassed (2016) depicts a caring mother who desperately tries to protect her mentally troubled daughter. The film will be screened alongside At the End of Daybreak.

Rain Dogs, At the End of Daybreak, Sell Out! and Love Conquers All are screened with Chinese and English subtitles. The other films are all with English subtitles only.

Chinese Malaysian directors Ho Yuhang and Yeo Joon Han, actress Kara Wai and film critic Joyce Yang will meet audiences at post-screening talks. 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.