The 69-minute documentary, produced by Iskander and Feisal Azizuddin of Feisk Productions, was made possible through a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised RM35,000.
The documentary had its world premiere at this year’s Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) in July, and has been nominated for Best Documentary at the upcoming Festival Filem Malaysia 34.
FMT Lifestyle attended the recent exclusive screening of the documentary.
Former radio traffic presenter Priscilla Patrick, a familiar voice to many Malaysians, was on holiday in Unawatuna, along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, when the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami struck in 2004.
The disaster claimed more than 200,000 lives worldwide, with over 30,000 fatalities in Sri Lanka alone.
Staying at a chalet just a few metres from the shore, how did Patrick manage to survive? That miraculous escape is what this documentary uncovers.
Though her ordeal has been reported in the media over the years, “The Tides Will Decide” marks the first time her story has been visualised and re-enacted for screen.
The documentary opens with Patrick sitting peacefully by the seaside on a camping chair. From the very first frame, Azim introduces audiences to the woman herself.
Scenes of her revisiting her old studio and chatting with former colleagues paint a picture of her easy-going nature and adventurous spirit.
Known to be the first Malaysian to travel to all seven continents on a single passport, Patrick’s zest for exploration and independence shines through immediately.
The filmmakers strike a careful balance, portraying her strength without over-glorifying her. Interviews with family members, friends, and former colleagues add emotional depth, revealing their anguish and helplessness upon hearing she had been caught in the tsunami.
The recollections of her mother and sister, especially her mother’s tears that flow uncontrollably, are some of the most moving moments in the film.
What stands out most is the documentary’s restraint. There’s no over-dramatisation, no eerie sound effects, and exaggerated tension. Instead, Azim treats the subject with great sensitivity, allowing Patrick’s voice to lead the narrative.
Cinematographer Alex Wong Kam Thim and editor Lourdes Gason cleverly use low camera angles and rapid movements to capture the overwhelming force of the sea.
Patrick’s re-enactments, screaming underwater, convey the terror of drowning. Even her description of the physical sensation of breathing under water and coming close to drowning, is chilling.
Admittedly, some visuals, such as the clear blue waters, may feel inconsistent with the murky debris-filled chaos of a real tsunami, but these are minor distractions in an otherwise well-crafted narrative.
The film’s strongest moments are in the aftermath of the tsunami.
Patrick’s recollection of strangers finding her lost belongings, and the inexplicable coincidences that followed, evoke both wonder and goosebumps.
The acts of kindness and compassion among survivors emerge as the true heart of the story.
Seeing the destruction around her, Patrick recognises her survival as a second chance – a renewed purpose to give back to society. While she maintains composure throughout much of the film, it’s when she finally tears up near the end that everything comes full circle.
The film even captures Patrick’s return to the same Sri Lankan beach a year later, offering a sense of closure to her extraordinary journey.
Viewers are likely to leave the screening with mixed emotions: a lingering fear of the sea, yet an even deeper sense of hope.
“The Tides Will Decide” reminds viewers that survival isn’t just about chance, but about finding new meaning in life itself.
Follow Feisk Productions for more updates on upcoming screenings.