M'sian filmmaker's movie picked for prestigious Cannes event

Malaysian filmmaker Amanda Nell Eu’s movie ‘Tiger Stripes’ has been selected for the 62nd Semaine de la Critique Cannes 2023.

Directed by Eu, 37, and produced under her production company Ghost Grrrl Pictures, ‘Tiger Stripes’ will be screened at the festival in May.

Semaine de la Critique (International Critics’ Week) was founded in 1962 and is organised by the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics.

It is the oldest parallel non-competitive section of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and showcases only the first and second feature films by directors from across the world.

Past luminaries who had their work showcased at this event include Academy Award winners Bernardo Bertolucci, Guillermo del Toro, and Alejandro González Iñárritu.

In a post on her Facebook page, Eu wrote:

“Oh my god, I can finally announce this incredible news!! I still cannot believe that it’s really happening.

“When I found out about this, I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn’t stop screaming and crying. This is a dream goal come true and I am literally so stoked that I want to cry again.

“To be invited to Semaine de la Critique is such an honour and it is the perfect place for ‘Tiger Stripes’ to be launched to the world. We are going to Cannes baby!”

She also thanked the production team as well as the entire cast and crew who worked on it.

U-Wei Saari’s ‘Kaki Bakar’ (1995) was the first Malaysian film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category. This was followed by Chris Chong Chan’s ‘Karaoke’ (2009) and Woo Ming Jin’s ‘The Tiger Factory’ (2010) which premiered in Directors’ Fortnight.

Indrani Kopal’s short film ‘The Game Changer’ was screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner event in 2014.

A film about embracing oneself

In a brief interview with Malaysiakini, Eu, who grew up in Kuala Lumpur and the UK, said ‘Tiger Stripes’ is her first feature film. She directed and produced short films before this.

“I’ve been a cinema fan since I was a teenager and I’ve been following the Cannes Film Festival since then. As a director, it has always been my dream to have a film invited to the prestigious festival.

“A lot of my filmmaker heroes have showcased their works there and even this year there is a whole list of cinema legends premiering their films at Cannes that I hope to catch. It’s truly an honour for my film to premiere there as well,” she said.

Eu said the movie carries a strong message about empowerment.

“I wanted to make a film for all the kids out there who feel like they don’t fit into society or are shunned by their peers because of who they are. It’s a film about embracing yourself and finding the power within that and knowing that you are not alone,” she added.

She will be flying off to France on May 15 and will be bringing her cast with her as well.

“I can’t wait for everyone to meet the beautiful and intelligent young talents that worked on this film.”

Eu also said Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh’s success has put Malaysia on the map and she is proud of Yeoh’s achievements.

“The international success of any Malaysian will always spotlight our country better and help to grow our industry further,” explained Eu.

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