#SHOWBIZ: Powerful movie tackling unwanted babies and unsung heroines
This time, it is titled 'Pavane For An Infant', and for the uninitiated, a pavane is the music for a slow dance (think lullaby).
Indeed, it is an apt choice for the Golden Horse-winning director's third feature film, a deeply human drama inspired by the less-known existence of the 24-hour baby hatches around the country.
It also zooms in on creeping societal conservatism that is withering away Malaysian women's rights and justifies archaic interpretations of customs that govern their reproductive rights.
Starring Hong Kong Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Fish Liew in her first Malaysian role, and Screen International Rising Star Award winner from Hong Kong Natalie Hsu, its strong ensemble cast also includes veteran Hong Kong actor Ben Yuen and Malaysians Pearlly Chua, Tan Mei Ling, Yuan Teng, Jasmine Suraya Chin, Dishaaleny Jack and Mia Sabrina Mahadir.
At the recent screening of the movie in Dadi Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Chong said: "Set around a baby hatch centre somewhere in the Klang Valley, it follows the journeys of two women who cross paths as a result of the baby hatch and face the longstanding social stigmas which challenge the right of single mothers to use them."
For the uninitiated, a baby hatch is a safe place where mothers can leave unwanted children.
LOCKDOWN
Chong, whose 2023 movie 'Snow in Midsummer' that touched on the May 13, 1969 race riots, said that the film had its origins in a series of interviews and baby hatch visits he made before and after the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Chong said: "A friend of mine inspired the main character Lai Sum, played by Fish. She got pregnant, the father ran away and she sent the baby to a baby hatch.
"After three months she regretted her decision and hoped to find her child but was not successful."
Chong said that the idea also stemmed from a radio interview he had almost a decade ago but was never aired.
"Last year, I decided to revisit this topic and develop it into a film."
LIFE
The film's executive producer Jment Lim of SunStrong Entertainment said that he approached Chong in 2021 to produce a film about "protecting life and standing up for women's reproductive rights".
"I'm so happy that we've finally realised this film, and may it be the start of a journey to spread understanding of women's issues."
NEWBORN
'Pavane For An Infant' begins with a young woman pounding on the door of the baby hatch centre where she had left her newborn.
Inside, social worker Lai Sum (Fish) is working the night shift.
It is the end of Ramadan and as the only non-Muslim social worker at the hatch, Lai Sum works a few extra shifts to give her colleagues Kam (Pearlly), Fatimah (Tan) and Nurul (Jasmine) some time off.
VITRIOL
One evening, while she is defending the centre from online vitriol about "encouraging babies born out of wedlock", she sees Siew Man (Natalie Hsu) hanging around outside on the CCTV and in distress.
Lai Sum discovers that Siew Man is grappling with an unwanted pregnancy as the result of an assault and vows to help the teenager find a safe home and bring the perpetrator to justice.
SENSITIVE
The film addresses several sensitive social issues, among them gender issues, economic disparity and ideological discourse.
Chong said: "The story comes from Malaysia, but the message we wanted to bring forward about baby hatches isn't just a Malaysian one."
He noted that baby hatches had become prevalent in the West for years, and they are also aplenty in countries as diverse as Pakistan and the United States.
TRAGIC
Fish said that it was harrowing playing Lai Sum, especially because she had to deal with hundreds of sad and tragic stories of mothers who were forced to give their babies away, through no fault of their own.
"After 13 years in Hong Kong films, I'm honoured to play a Malaysian character. The emotional shifts in pivotal scenes were challenging, but I loved it."
Natalie, 21, said that playing Siew Man was an eye-opener for her, and it made her realise that women's issues are universal issues.
"Siew Man has had a tough time, however she is actually quite strong. I didn't want to portray her as a victim but a complete person with joys, fears and hopes," she said, adding that working on a Malaysian production exposed her to the beauty and cultural diversity of the country, and made her appreciate shared values better.
HOMEWORK
Jasmine Suraya said that she did a lot of homework to prepare for an extraordinary role.
"My character Nurul is a minor character, yet she is interesting and colourful as far as her life journey is concerned."
Dishaaleny said that she was honoured to play a classical dancer who performed the lively peacock dance in one of the important scenes.
"I've been dancing for a decade now, and while my character was a supporting one, I could easily empathise with her, as one of the tragic single mothers."
Chong hopes that his movie will encourage Malaysians to take a stand against sexual violence.
"I hope that this film will serve as a voice against it and empower both survivors of abuse and the women who save abandoned infants."
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