KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 ― Local horror film Tiger Stripes has been selected for the 62nd Semaine de la Critique Cannes 2023 (Cannes International Critics’ Week).
The film, directed by Amanda Nell Eu and produced under her production company Ghost Grrrl Pictures, also marks the first Malaysian female filmmaker to be invited to the prestigious festival.
According to The Star, the Malay-language horror film will be showcased at this year’s Cannes Film Festival after being selected for the Cannes International Critics’ Week.
The film is set to be shown sometime from May 17 to May 25 in France.
“It means the world to me! I’m so honoured for our film to be launched in Semaine de la Critique. It’s really a dream come true after many years of making the film.
“I hope that the audience will get to see bits of Malaysia, our culture and our bright colours! It’s a story that is very close to my heart and I hope that it empowers young girls and boys everywhere,” Eu said.
The film is also competing for the Camera d’Or prize- an award for the best first feature film in the selection.
Eu added that she started working on the film back in 2018 but had to stop production due to the Covid-19 pandemic and had just finished shooting the film last year.
According to a press statement from the production company, Tiger Stripes also marks the first time a Malaysian film was chosen to be featured in Cannes since 2010.
There have only been three other local films that were selected for the festival previously which includes U-Wei Saari’s Kaki Bakar in 1995, Karaoke by Chris Chong Chan Fui in 2009 and The Tiger Factory by Woo Ming Jin in 2010.
It is also worth mentioning that local short film The Game Changer by Indrani Kopal was also shown at the Cannes Short Film Corner back in 2014.
The Cannes Critics’ Week is also described as a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival and it was said that the section had ‘discovered’ acclaimed directors including Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro as well as Hong Kong director, Wong Kar Wai.
Tiger Stripes follows the story of a 12-year-old girl who can't make sense of what is happening with her body as she goes through puberty.
The film boasts a lineup of local stars including Shaheizy Sam, Fatimah Abu Bakar, June Lojong as well as newcomers such as Zafreen Zairizal, Deena Ezral as well as Piqa.