He was so moved by this experience that he was inspired to frame the story of his first film, “Life: Living in Fear Everyday” (LIFE), around it.
While he declined to reveal what actually happened – it would spoil the twist of the film! – the Ipoh-born writer and director said the moment stuck with him for a long time.
“It was one of those rare, quiet experiences that forces you to confront who we’ve become as human beings, how numb we are to pain, and how quick we are to look away when compassion is needed most,” Franz told FMT Lifestyle.
“It made me realise that silence often speaks louder than words, and that somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten the simplest act of humanity, which is to care.”
Franz eventually joined forces with director of photography Suran Hassan to bring the vision of his film to life – and they did this on a budget of less than RM1,000, using only personal equipment such as a camera, phone, drone, and editing tools.
Despite these limitations, LIFE went on to garner positive reviews, and – much to the producers’ surprise – was even picked up by several festivals overseas.
It was an official selection of the Lift-Off Sessions Global Network in the UK; a nominee in the Best International Short Film Category at NanoCon International Film Festival (United States); and an official selection at the Southeast Asia International Film Festival in Pattaya, Thailand.
“Audiences abroad connected with our film instantly. Its silent nature seemed to transcend language and culture: people related to its human emotions and simplicity,” said Franz.
“From there, we got more festival selections and calls for submissions, allowing LIFE to travel further.”
But what is it, really, that has won viewers’ hearts? Franz believes it’s because of the themes of “empathy, connection, and the silent language that unites us all”.
“The film is a reminder that every existence has meaning, and that no life is of lesser value,” he added.
Filmed entirely in Malaysia, LIFE tells the story of Dean, a man who is broken by tragedy yet held together by his love for two “Special Beings” the world refuses to understand. When their fragile world collapses, what unfolds is a journey of loss, resilience, and redemption that transcends words.
The cast comprises Ken Thayalan, Elli Famira, Max Gaudachon and Aairenee Zarina – all of whom had no prior acting experience – as well as radio personality Rika Adrina, and Sara Mack Lubis, who has been in films such as “Nenek Bongkok Tiga” and “Angkat”.
Franz shared that he and his team faced numerous challenges in trying to create the film, notably when it came to funding – or the lack of. They were fortunate, however, to get acquainted with former Finas chairman Kamil Othman, whose guidance helped get the project off the ground.
Franz also recalled a memorable experience behind the scenes: while shooting in a remote area, their drone flew straight into a tall tree and got stuck in the branches. The crew tried everything, including throwing their shoes and backpacks, to knock it loose.
“After nearly two hours, we finally managed to get it down. But just as we were packing up, we realised there had been a python quietly lurking just a few metres away from where we stood the entire time. Thankfully, it didn’t have an appetite for independent filmmakers that day!”
While LIFE continues to make its rounds in festivals across the world, Franz revealed that they are also exploring the idea of expanding it into a feature-length film or a limited silent series.
“To see the film being recognised internationally reaffirms that emotions and values are truly borderless. It’s humbling and it inspires us to continue telling stories that move people, regardless of language or culture,” he concluded.
Uncover more about ‘Life: Living In Fear Everyday’ on Instagram. Also learn more about Bags of Flavour Films here.