In a groundbreaking moment for Malaysian cinema, Ananth Subramaniam’s ‘Bleat’, has been officially selected for the 64th edition of Critics Week (La Semaine de la Critique) at the Cannes Film Festival, making it the first ever Malaysian short film to earn a spot in the prestigious festival.
The Tamil language short film will screen alongside some of the most innovative works from all over the world, on 14th-22nd May, marking a new chapter in Malaysia’s growing presence on the international stage.
Organised by the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics, Critics Week is Cannes most exclusive programme, known for launching the careers of visionary filmmakers. ‘Bleat!’ joins the legacy, following in the footsteps of Malaysian feature films Tiger Stripes (2023), The Tiger Factory (2010), Karaoke (2009) and Kaki Bakar (The Arsonist) (1995), but as the first short film selected.
Co-producer and Malaysian born filmmaker, now based in Philippines, Bradley Liew shared his words on this milestone by saying,
“This is one of my proudest moments as a Malaysian. To see our country’s first short film in Cannes is a true milestone”
A Story Rooted in Culture
Set in within the minority of Malaysian Tamil community, ‘Bleat!’ is a story of an elderly couple who discover, on the even of a ritual slaughter, that their male goat is pregnant. The story unfolds into a dark comedic and deeply human tale about faith, tradition and community pressure as the couple hesitates whether to proceed with the sacrifice.
“I’ve always had an inescapable feeling about my Malaysian Tamil Culture. Growing up, especially during those awkward puberty years, I wrestled with question about who I was and where I fit in. So I turned myself into a goat and threw myself into the middle of all that inevitability and somehow that became a film about what makes being Malaysian Tamil so special”, said writer and director Ananth Subramaniam.
The film stars Tharmasegaran MS Maniam, Pannerselvam Evarani, and Dhanesh Alagarsu, and Big Boy the goat.
Southeast Asian Collaboration
‘Bleat!’ is an international co-production between Sixtymac Pictures (Malaysia), Epic Media Production (Philippines) and DW (France) with global sales handled by Hors du Bocal (Belgium). The films post production work was also a multinational effort with editing and finishing by Om Shakthi Films and Tentoseven Creative in Malaysia, colour grading at White Light Post in Bangkok and sound post production by dbStudious in Lebanon. The film was made by the support from SGIFF Short Film Fund and Singapore Momo Distribution Grant.
According to Ananth, Bleat is about peeling back layers of tradition and finding humour and heartache in the process. He hopes it resonates with other minority kids who feels the same conflict.
As ‘Bleat!’ prepares for Cannes debut, it represents not only a triumph for Malaysian cinema but a celebration and tribute of minority voices, Southeast creativity finding their place on the global stage.
Sources: Variety, The Sun, Semaine de la Critique Cannes
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