It is well understood that Hollywood relies heavily on ASEAN markets to make up a substantial portion of their blockbuster sales, but what about the reverse? How do ASEAN films stand up in the international market? And what is their future potential in the West? With filmmaking talent blooming around the region through the inception of festivals such as Tropfest South East Asia, it is no wonder that these questions pose such interesting answers.
At the opening of the ASEAN Film Showcase (AFS) (30th July 2016), guests will have these questions answered by a panel of filmmakers discuss creative rights in the industry, as well as the viability of ASEAN films in the international market. After the panel discussion, there will be a showing of “The Missing Picture”, a highly acclaimed and multi-awarded Cambodian film directed by Rithy Panh. The film’s success in documenting Cambodian life when Pol Pot came to power – using a blend of real-life documentary film and stop-motion clay figurines – propelled Panh to international recognition, even allowing him to team up with Angelina Jolie in an adaptation of Loung Ung’s “First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers” – a project for which Panh is producer and Angelina Jolie-Pitt the director.
A range of other films will be presented throughout the month from horror to comedy. There is no better opportunity for those interested in ASEAN filmmaking to update themselves on the current path it is on, especially considering that each show comes with a discussion and Q&A with directors and filmmakers.
The George Town Festival will once again put the audience in a primary position to hear – first-hand – the latest on the ASEAN film industry.
Date: 30th July 2016 (until 28th August)
Time: 2:00pm – 5:30pm
Venue: E&O Hotel
Price: RM40 p/p
Contact: info@georgetownfestival.com, 04-261 6308
Registration required