Films from Malaysia run well under the radar in this country. The days when Asian cinema enriched local screens seem like a lifetime ago. And even then, it was more productions from Japan or South Korea that reached the German market. They were directors like Takeshi Kitano, Kim Ki-duk, Takashi Miike, Hideo Nakata or Park Chan-wook. Names we read on the posters for films like RINGU, OLDBOY or ŌDISHON. These were cinematic borderline experiences that broke our viewing habits.
Recently, a trend reversal could be seen. The rising popularity of anime and genre hype like THE SADNESS or PROJECT WOLF HUNTING put Asian cinema back in the spotlight. But what about Malaysia? Well, let's take a look at it! More precisely: on the works of Dain Iskandar Said.
Dain Said is a director, producer and screenwriter from Kuala Lumpur. He grew up in London and studied film and photography at the University of Westminster. He returned to Malaysia in the early 1990s and made a name for himself with commercials and television productions before venturing into his first feature-length film. His directorial debut, DUKUN, however, was ill-starred. It referred to singer and murderer Mona Fandey and was banned nationwide due to a heated debate surrounding the case. DUKUN is still considered one of Malaysia's most controversial films. Things went much better with his second film, BUNOHAN. The film was a box office hit in its release year, was invited to A-list festivals and even submitted for the Academy Awards. The serial killer film INTERCHANGE, released in 2016, was also celebrated at international festivals, but never reached Germany. With BLOOD FLOWER, his latest and current film, Dain Said once again shows himself in top form. Then as now, he boldly and consistently celebrates boundless genre cinema!
Tracing Dain Said's cinematic development is an exciting and varied experience. No two films are alike. From melancholy kickboxers to bizarre body horror, from serial killers to exorcism madness, everything is on offer. Therefore, it can hardly be reduced to a certain genre. Nevertheless, there are definitely authorial motifs to be found. Dain Said likes to cite filmmakers such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog as inspiration for his work. It is their motifs and patterns that he varies in his films. The result is works that are characterized by the themes of culture, spirituality, tradition... and by the break with the same. But also the play with fantastic elements is omnipresent. Even in his quietest and most thoughtful films, mysterious occurrences play a leading role.
We are proud and excited to present the cinematic work of Dain Said with us. Together we will see, understand and celebrate his films. Together, that means us, you... and Dain Said, who will travel from Kuala Lumpur together with his producer Nandita Solomon.
THE FILMS AT THIS YEAR'S FILMFEST
BUNOHAN
Sunday 9 April 2023 | 3:15 pm
Visual habit-expanding gerne-clash full of poetry and symbolism. As picturesque as it is pessimistic, as captivating as it is unwieldy. A brilliant introduction to the cinematic oeuvre of Dain Said.
Malaysia 2011 | 97 minutes
INTERCHANGE
Friday, April 7, 2023 | 5:30 pm
An atmospherically compelling serial killer film. Laced with film noir motifs and an extra dose of folk horror, this film is an extraordinary viewing experience. Buckle up, it's going to be wild!
Malaysia 2016 | 102 minutes
BL0OD FLOWER
Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 10:15 pm
This film is not for the faint-hearted! BLOOD FLOWER is uncompromising, visually stunning over-the-top exorcism action. A feast for all who like it a bit rougher and more satanic.
Malaysia 2022 | 102 minutes
For this special program item, we have a new supporter at our side: For the first time, a nationwide institution is also lending us a hand. We are as happy as possessed that the "Directors Spotlight" is supported with funds for film festival promotion de+ of the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.
