Malaysian Short ‘Bleat!’ Makes History at Cannes Critics’ Week

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For the very first time, a Malaysian short film titled “Bleat!” by Ananth Subramaniam has been chosen to participate in the Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival. This is a groundbreaking achievement for Malaysia as it marks the inaugural invitation of a Malaysian short film to this prestigious event.

Bleat!” is a joint production among Malaysia, the Philippines, and France that narrates the tale of an elderly Malaysian-Tamil duo who stumble upon an unexpected situation – their male goat, intended for ceremonial sacrifice, is expecting a kid. Faced with a challenging spiritual and cultural quandary, they must decide whether to adhere to tradition or potentially incur divine retribution.

The 15-minute blend of comedy, drama, and fantasy is situated within the Tamil community in Malaysia, starring Tharmasegaran Maniam, Pannerselvam Evarani, and Dhanesh Alagarsu. “Big Boy” portrays the central character, a goat, who becomes the focus of a moral dilemma.

In the heart of Malaysia’s Tamil community, a 15-minute fusion of comedy, drama, and fantasy unfolds, featuring Tharmasegaran Maniam, Pannerselvam Evarani, and Dhanesh Alagarsu. “Big Boy” takes on the role of the goat at the heart of the story’s moral predicament.

This selection marks a significant achievement for Malaysian cinema, as it’s the fifth time one of its films has been premiered at Cannes. Previous representatives include “Tiger Stripes” from 2023, “The Tiger Factory” from 2010, “Karaoke” from 2009, and “Kaki Bakar,” also known as “The Arsonist,” from 1995.

Or more concisely:

This selection signifies a notable milestone for Malaysian cinema at Cannes, with five features having been premiered there, starting with “Kaki Bakar” in 1995 and most recently “Tiger Stripes” in 2023.

Subramaniam shared, ‘My Malaysian-Tamil heritage has always been deeply ingrained in me.’ As I navigated my teenage years, grappling with questions of identity and belonging, I found myself exploring these themes in a unique way – by transforming myself into a goat and delving headfirst into the heart of those questions. Amazingly, this personal journey evolved into a film that celebrates what it means to be Malaysian-Tamil.

This collaborative project, titled “The Production,” is jointly created by Choo Mun Bel from Sixtymac Pictures (Malaysia), Bradley Liew of Epicmedia Productions (Philippines), and Dominique Welinski from DW (France). The international distribution rights are managed by Hors du Bocal, a sales agent based in Belgium.

As a filmmaker, who hails from the vibrant lands of Malaysia yet finds myself immersed in the creative scene of the Philippines, this project has become more than just a production for me – it feels like a heartfelt return to my roots. To express my immense pride, I can’t help but exclaim: “This is one of the most fulfilling moments in my life as a Malaysian, witnessing our nation make history with its first-ever short film gracing the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

The movie boasts a robust background in film festivals, having been awarded the SGIFF Short Film Fund and the Singapore Momo Distribution Grant. During the post-production phase, efforts were carried out across three different countries: Malaysia, where Om Shakthi Films and Tentoseven handled the work; Thailand, where White Light Post Bangkok took care of color correction; and Lebanon, where dbStudios completed sound post-production.

For Sixtymac Pictures, “Bleat!” is another addition to their expanding collection of highly-regarded short films, such as “Liar Land” (honored with a special mention at Locarno Open Doors). At present, Subramaniam is working on his first full-length film, “The Passport,” which has already garnered interest from various development programs like Talents Tokyo and Locarno Open Doors.

Zahra Benasri from Hors du Bocal characterizes the movie as “generous, humorous, and brimming with uncorked cinematic vigor.” She further mentions that the sales company feels deeply privileged to be associated with this potent and unabashedly liberated Malaysian-Tamil film.

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2025-04-17 15:20