Two teenage outcasts form an uncanny friendship in their remote village. As one discovers the other’s dark secrets, she observes the changes in her new friend to the point of violence, monstrosity and affection. Screened in competitions at Venice International Film Festival, Milano Film Festival, Singapore International Film Festival, among many others.
Director: Amanda Nell Eu. Produced by Gan Hui Yee, Astro Shaw. 2017, 17.5min., HD color, aspect Ratio 4:3, Malaysia. Drama. In Bahasa Malaysia with English and Japanese subtitles.
Screening Date/Time
Tokyo: Sun, July 29, 12:30~ (International Shorts)
Okayama: Friday, August 3, 14:00~ / Sunday, August 5, 19:00~ (International Shorts)
Amanda Nell Eu Biography
Born 26/11/85, Malaysia
Amanda is a filmmaker based in Malaysia. Having graduated from the London Film School with an MA in Filmmaking, she has directed short films based in the UK and also Malaysia.
She is now developing her first feature film set in Malaysia. In her work she likes to explore the female identity within the context of South East Asia.
Director’s Filmography
• Writer/Director – Lagi Senang Jaga Sekandang Lembu
HD colour, 18 minutes, Produced by Gan Hui Yee, Astro Shaw 2017
• Director – Seesaw
HD colour, 16 minutes, Produced by Annabel Wigoder, Amanda Eu, Linda Biney and Lucy Ter‐Berg, Bee Stung Productions 2013
• Writer/Director – Pasak
HD colour, 20 minutes, Produced by Ng Tian Hann, LFS 2012
Director’s Statement
The Pontianak* comes from a place of abuse, dying when she carries life inside her, and she finds strength out of it. She is raw, primal, carnal and sexual, and she is beautiful and has luscious, long black hair. She will seduce you, draw you in and you will feel her wrath.
The two teenage girls in my film are both Pontianaks in their own ways. Every woman is a Pontianak in her own way.
* a female vampiric ghost in Malay mythology
Crew
Director – Amanda Nell Eu
Writer – Amanda Nell Eu
Director of Photography – Mahen Bala
Production Designer – Sharon Chin
Editor – Audrie Yeo
Sound Design – Armaan Khadar
Music – Armaan Khadar
Producer – Gan Hui Yee
Lead Cast
Rahmah – Sharifah Aryana Binti Syed Zainal Rashid
Girl with Long Hair – Sofia Sabri
Festivals, Screenings and Awards
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2017
August – Venice International Film Festival 2017, in competition
September – Milano Film Festival 2017, in competition
October – Uppsala International Short Film Festival 2017, Special Mention
October – International Short Film Festival of Cyprus 2017
November – Winterthur International Short Film Festival 2017, in competition
November – San Diego Asian Film Festival 2017, in competition
November – Singapore International Film Festival 2017, in competition
December – Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival 2017, in competition
–
2018
January – Minimalen Short Film Festival 2018, in competition
February – Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2018, Special Mention
March – Short Waves Festival 2018, in competition
March – Glasgow Short Film Festival 2018
March – AKS International Minorities 2018, in competition
March – International Short Film Week Regensberg 2018, in competition
March – JAFF Movie Night 2018
April – Kineforum 2018
June – VIS Vienna Shorts 2018, Best Female Filmmaker
June – San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival 2018
June – Seoul International Women’s Festival 2018
June – SGIFF New Waves 2018
July – Taipei Film Festival 2018, in competition