Malaysian film lovers rejoice! The Malaysian film ‘Tiger Stripes‘ has won the Grand Prize the 2023 Cannes Film Festival’s International Critics’ Week.
The fierce, soul-stirring directorial debut by Malaysian director Amanda Nell Eu marks its place in Malaysian film history as the first Malaysian film, as well as the first Malaysian female director to win a prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Tiger Stripes is a mercurial tale of Zaffan, a 12-year-old girl who grapples with the changes occurring in her body during adolescence. Following her alienation from the local community due to an unusual transformation, she ultimately rediscovers her own identity and finds solace in her new skin.
The KL-born director extends Tiger Stripes’ nascent spirit to her cast of promising debutants in Zafreen Zairizal, Deena Ezral and Piqa. Industry stalwarts Shaheizy Sam, Fatimah Abu Bakar and indie darling June Lojong also star in the film.
The jury president Audrey Diwan — whose second feature film ‘Happening’ snagged a Golden Lion prize in 2021— heaped praises on Tiger Stripes for its “…irreverent and uncompromising nature.”
“[It] does not try to please, it is content to fully assume its seductive singularity. It was the first film of the selection that we saw. It has passed the test of time,”
International Critics’ Week Jury President Audrey Diwan
The International Critics’ Week is the oldest parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival to spotlight outstanding filmmakers’ first or second films. Its notable alumni include legendary world cinema figureheads like Wong Kar-wai, Guillermo del Toro, Gaspar Noé, Ken Loach — with our very own Amanda Nell Eu now joining their ranks.
Tiger Stripes will be screened in French cinemas by Jour2Fete and will see wider international distribution via Films Boutique.
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