With an award-winning entry at Cannes and an Oscar winner this year, the local filmmaking scene seems to be undergoing a renaissance of sorts.
Adding to these and other buzzy efforts is a Malaysian-Taiwanese collaboration that has been making waves internationally: “Abang Adik”, by first-time Malaysian director Lay Jin Ong.
In addition to raking in RM2.2 million within its first three days of screening in Taiwan, the film has won critical acclaim and multiple festival awards, including in Switzerland, New York, and the Philippines.
Most recently, it was nominated in seven categories at the 60th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei, securing a Best Leading Actor win for Taiwan’s Wu Kang Ren.
So, what’s it about? The film follows a pair of brothers, Abang (Wu) and Adi (Jack Tan) who, despite living within sight of Kuala Lumpur’s glittering skyscrapers, are underprivileged citizens in the Pudu district.
To get by, mute and deaf Abang does menial jobs at the morning market, while Adi commits petty crimes. Yet, in spite of their differences and shared struggles, the pair are thick as thieves.
Alas, this bond is tested by tragedy when they both have to go on the run, and it becomes clear one of them will have to make a tough decision.
What makes “Abang Adik” noteworthy is that it touches on many themes that are relevant to Malaysian society, the most obvious being economic inequality. Many Malaysians live relatively comfortable lives, but many more go to bed uncertain of what the next day holds.
One of the plot points concerns Abang’s status as an undocumented person, his identification documents long lost. The film minces no words over how difficult life for these individuals can be.
When immigration officers raid the brothers’ apartment lot, Adi can only watch helplessly as his elder brother has to flee and hide.
As most Malaysians may well be aware of, the bureaucratic system works most efficiently when it aids the rich and powerful, not so much the poor and helpless. This becomes even more blatant when justice is out of reach for the brothers owing to their economic status.
Social themes and messages aside, the film’s heart lies in the relationship that holds the brothers together through thick and thin. Wu and Tan have a convincing chemistry, and it is hard to believe Tan is a relative newcomer to the acting world.
Wu, meanwhile, is a household name in Taiwan; yet, one could easily mistake him for a Malaysian actor. His performance as a character with speech and hearing disabilities is truly remarkable, his eyes and face expressing all that needs to be said.
Indeed, his Golden Horse win is entirely deserving.
And despite his relative inexperience, Tan plays off Wu wonderfully, and successfully portrays a sibling trapped by circumstances. While he is fiery and impulsive compared with Abang, it is clear he truly cares for and values his older brother.
All in all, this is an entertaining albeit heartbreaking story of brotherly relationships that will encourage viewers to understand and empathise with those who are less fortunate, and perhaps be moved to make a difference in someone else’s life.
As of press time, ‘Abang Adik’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.