KUALA LUMPUR: The producer of Pavane for an Infant, Wong Kew Soon, has tempered expectations for his film’s success at the Oscars, noting that 86 other countries are competing for the Best International Feature Film award.
The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) selected Pavane for an Infant to represent Malaysia in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) in Los Angeles, the United States, next year.
Wong told Harian Metro: “Malaysian films are not set to win easily because, in Southeast Asia, our industry is still young. Nevertheless, we have produced a film that can bring something new and different. We hope for the best.”
Wong clarified that Pavane for an Infant is not a commercial movie, which often dominates the annual awards, but an art film that tends to perform better at other film festivals.
The film, produced by Janji Pictures Production Sdn Bhd, has already achieved success, winning the Youth Jury Award at the 39th Fribourg International Film Festival and the Golden Silk Road Award (Best Screenplay) at the 12th Silk Road International Film Festival.
It also competed at several other major events, including the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival, the 44th Istanbul International Film Festival, the 24th New York Asian Film Festival, and the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival.
The film stars Fish Liew, Natalie Hsu, and Jasmine Suraya Chin, and tells the story of women social workers who manage a baby hatch for unwanted babies.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
