Groundbreaking Malaysian film 'Tiger Stripes' trailer unveiled

Debut feature film “Tiger Stripes” has a number of firsts under its name. It is the first Malaysian film at Cannes in 13 years. Director Amanda Nell Eu’s is Malaysia’s first female at the festival. Topping the list is Tiger Stripes’ first trailer.

Tiger Stripes is a ‘body horror entertainer’

Naturally, Eu is reluctant to reveal too much about Tiger Stripes. What we do know, is that the film tells the story of 12-year-old Zaffan. A young girl who starts to experience unexpected (and horrifying) changes to her body due to puberty.

Zaffan (played by Zafreen Zairizal) sees her body changing in scary ways. Her community then sidelines her, forcing her to accept her true nature, and release her power, wrath and beauty. Eu says this film mixes themes of female empowerment with teenage body horror, set against a Southeast Asian background.

Tiger Stripes will compete for the Grand Prix at the 62nd International Critics Week (Semaine de la Critique). The prestigious festival is where now-acclaimed directors like Guillermo del Toro, Wong Kar-wai and Gaspar Noé all started. Editor and screenwriter Audrey Diwan will lead the jury for the 62nd edition.

Tiger Stripes will run from May 17 to 25.

‘It’s a real punch in the face’

Eu describes Tiger Stripes, to Variety, as both a metaphor for the issues linked with the arrival of puberty and female identity. She adds that it is also a body horror entertainer:

This comes from my dark sense of humor. People always label young girls as little monsters. They say that teenage girls are emotional or crazy or hysterical. So, my thinking was ‘why don’t I tell a story about a young girl who actually does turn into a monster’ and let me show you what a monster is. It is a metaphor and a genre film

The film’s screening is the first time a Malaysian female director is selected to showcase her film at the auspicious film festival. Eu tells Al Jazeera how honoured she is to have the opportunity:

I’m so honoured. It’s what the team and I have been dreaming of. I don’t think anyone will be ready for it because it’s a real punch in the face

Eu is a Malaysia of mixed British and Chinese heritage.

Jokes aside, I hope Tiger Stripes’ themes and messages will resonate with many people and they will also enjoy the ride the film takes you on

Past Malaysian films that have screened at Cannes include U-Wei Saar’s Kaki Bakar (1995), Chris Chong Can Fui’s Karaoke (2009) and Woo Ming Jin’s The Tiger Factory (2010).