Aida Nadhirah

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Social

entertainment

Malaysia

film

dystopian

censorship

thriller

Pendatang

In recent years, the filmmaking landscape has undergone a transformative shift, with crowdfunding emerging as a powerful tool for filmmakers to bring their creative visions to life. This phenomenon has gained significant traction globally, with notable success stories and a growing impact on traditional funding models.&nbsp;
In a bold move, Kuman Pictures is set to premiere its first crowdfunded film, &lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo;, on YouTube on 21st December 2023. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ng Ken King, has already stirred anticipation and curiosity among audiences nationwide.
A Dystopian Thriller
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/4d67a3a313d14c997dd9100e6b970d45c63d8c2949b6f578008992a92732e148" alt="" width="496" height="458" /> Behind the scenes from the film
&lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo; delves into a dystopian Malaysia where ethnic segregation has reached unprecedented heights. Set against a backdrop of societal unrest, the film follows the story of a Chinese-Malaysian family who is ordered to relocate to a house in an area controlled by a militia group.&nbsp;
The film reimagined a Malaysia where different races are not allowed to mingle by force of draconian law. The conflict began when the family found a Malay girl hiding in the attic of their new house, and it prompted them to risk their lives or just get rid of the girl.&nbsp;
The narrative weaves together elements of suspense, drama, and a touch of thriller to shed light on the consequences of deep-rooted ethnic prejudices. The film's exploration of ethnic segregation within a dystopian framework holds a mirror to contemporary Malaysian society. By depicting the consequences of such divisions, &lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo; aims to spark conversations about unity, tolerance, and the effects of unchecked discrimination.
&ldquo;Many of us pretend everything is fine by enclosing ourselves in our bubbles. So, these barriers and invisible walls between the races inspire the story,&rdquo; said Lim Boon Siang, the scriptwriter of &lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo;. Siang added that he hoped through this film, Malaysians would learn not to take each other for granted and to continue to treat everyone with mutual respect and compassion regardless of race, religion or gender.
The First Fully Crowdfunded Film
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/8df8d5294d86970ac00b7b235538b048f6b71a04189f8feffbe0e29b0dd7b1af" alt="" width="494" height="338" /> Amir Muhammad
One of the most intriguing aspects of &lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo; lies in its decision to be crowdfunded. The filmmakers opted for this unconventional route to sidestep potential censorship by Malaysia's Film Censorship Board (LPF), known for its strict regulations. 
Amir Muhammad, the founder of Kuman Pictures and co-producer of the film, explained that their stance on getting crowdfunded is to tell an authentic story without the risk of being censored.&nbsp;
&ldquo;&lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo; addresses critical issues, and we wanted to ensure the narrative remained authentic and unfiltered,&rdquo; added him when they first announced the film crowdfunding campaign. Launched on indiegogo.com in 2022, the film managed to crowdsource RM426,684, surpassing their initial RM300,00 target.
The campaign offered six tiers of donations backers could choose from, starting from RM44 and going up to RM44,520, where each tier came with its exclusive perks. &ldquo;We choose &lsquo;fixed funding&rsquo;, so if we don&rsquo;t raise at least RM300,000, any money pledged would not be charged to the backer &mdash; and the film won&rsquo;t get made,&rdquo; stated Amir further.
What&rsquo;s In The Title?
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/97597caf10d034f64c1bfd7ed498fdcbb2128dba76817abc3f160fcebfcd28f9" alt="" width="305" height="528" />
Touching on the controversial title of the film, Amir said the word is a double entendre where some communities in Malaysia are still being called outsiders even though they have been in the country long before Tanah Melayu achieved its independence. Explaining the title in the film's context, it illustrates the Malay girl's situation as an intruder in the family and depicts how the family will navigate the tension. 
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/327c0aa4d693efbfc5e2a80ac2926b265040c6067852feed8b4bfe85ba5bd25a" alt="" width="348" height="380" /> Ng Ken Kin
Ng Ken Kin, the director of the film, promised the film won&rsquo;t be preachy as it aims to take the audience on a suspenseful ride of thriller and action throughout the film. &ldquo;&lsquo;Pendatang' has the potential to be a catalyst for change. It challenges societal norms and forces us to confront uncomfortable truths. The power of cinema lies in its ability to provoke thought &ndash; this film is poised to do just that,&rdquo; said the director, who is known for notable works such as Geng Bas Sekolah, 5 Jingga, and Kapten Boleh.&nbsp;
The decision to release &lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo; on YouTube also reflects a strategic choice to reach a wider audience. By bypassing traditional distribution channels, the filmmakers aim to connect directly with viewers across Malaysia and beyond, fostering a global dialogue on the film's themes. 
&ldquo;Due to the nature of the film&rsquo;s themes, the film would never have passed the LPF board, so YouTube is the obvious choice for us,&rdquo; added Kin further.
&lsquo;Pendatang&rsquo; emerges as a groundbreaking project not only for its narrative and thematic content but also for its innovative approach to funding and distribution. As the premiere date approaches, all eyes are on this crowdfunded gem, eager to witness its impact on the Malaysian film industry and the conversations it sparks on ethnic harmony and unity.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ykLQbkZ0piA?si=cDkUaJXqPTbcs1Nq" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The rise of crowdfunded films is reshaping the global cinematic landscape, and Malaysia is no exception. As filmmakers increasingly turn to crowdfunding platforms, they finance their projects and build a community of engaged supporters. The success of "Pendatang" and other crowdfunded initiatives may pave the way for a more vibrant, diverse, and independent future for Malaysian cinema.
Don&rsquo;t forget to catch it this 21st of December, and in the meantime, visit their <a href="https://www.kumanpictures.com/pendatang">website</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kumanpictures/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KumanPictures/">Facebook</a> for more information.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Kuman Pictures &amp; various cross-references for context.
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Imagine Malaysia actually implement the segregation act 😱 

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Breaking Tradition: 'Pendatang,' Malaysia's First Crowdsourced Film, Chooses YouTube Premiere To Dodge LPF Censorship

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Breaking Tradition: 'Pendatang,' Malaysia's First Crowdsourced Film, Chooses YouTube Premiere To Dodge LPF Censorship

Imagine Malaysia actually implement the segregation act 😱

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