Malaysia

THE LITTLE CINEMA OF MALAYSIA: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Malaysian mainstream cinema is notable (!) for its emphasis on pure entertainment and nothing but. The films have also been notable (until recently), for not reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of Malaysia in spite of the official promotion of the country internationally as Malaysia, Truly Asia. Dishing out clich?d, stereotypical, and uninnovative narratives and characters, many of these films somehow attain box-office success, proof that they are popular with a certain segment of the cinema-going public. None of these films, however, has been invited to participate in international film festivals. The few alternative films that have surfaced from time to time (and have received international exposure), have never had a mass audience, and none have ever made back their initial investment.

This gloomy scenario, however, has not fazed the group dubbed The Little Cinema of Malaysia. Working in the digital video (DV) format, its filmmakers have made their presence felt with their iconoclastic filmmaking. Ever since the wave first began in 1999, there has been no stopping its forward surge. International recognition has been quick in coming and their works are now regularly in exhibition or in competition – and winning many top prizes – at prestigious festivals around the world. But more importantly, they have broken with the conventions and traditions prevalent in the mainstream since 1933 when the first local film was made...

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