The Story of Southern Islet
Nan wu
Yan, her husband Cheong and their two young sons live in a village in northern Malaysia, close to the Thai border. Cheong accidentally damages the neighbour’s fence trying to catch a snake, which triggers a series of mysterious events. Cheong believes he has upset the Malay god Datuk Gong, but Yan, who wasn’t raised on this popular belief, has her doubts. She’d rather take Cheong – who has become ill in the meantime – to hospital than to the shamanic healer.
The Story of Southern Islet is set in 1987 and is based on the filmmaker’s childhood, during which his father became severely ill. The atmospheric story, shot largely using beautiful long shots, completely accepts the fact that not everything can be explained rationally. A voice in a cave, a ghost on a ship – Yan’s spiritual journey is just as natural as her daily shop at the market.
Trailer
This content is available after accepting the marketing cookies.
Interview
This content is available after accepting the marketing cookies.
Film details
- Country of production
- Malaysia
- Year
- 2020
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2021
- Length
- 105"
- Medium/Format
- DCP
You may also like this
-
Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror
Kier-La Janisse helps us understand our current cultural malaise through this essay on an enigmatic aspect of horror cinema.
-
Thomas der Hochspringer
Distinctively styled film about a lonely young athlete with an all-controlling mother. An exceptional German debut.
-
The Son
Ultimately compassionate Iranian drama about an incompetent man in his forties living with his mother, who suddenly dies.