The second feature film Tears of Kuala Lumpur directed by Malaysian director Ridhwan Saidi has recently been nominated for the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), competing for the main competition's Tiger Award. The committee recently held a press conference announcing that the festival will be held from January 30 to February 9, 2025, and revealed the list of films for three major competition categories.
Previously, Ridhwan Saidi’s debut feature Youth in the Lurch directed in 2020 was also screened at the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF31) that same year.
Since its inception in 1972, the Rotterdam Film Festival has been known for its eclectic, independent film styles, comparable to other major European film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. The festival's top prize, the "Tiger Award," is exclusively given to the director's first or second film work to encourage emerging filmmakers. Many of today's outstanding visionary directors are former "Tiger Award" winners, such as Korea's Hong Sang-soo, Lou Ye, China's Zhang Yuan, Taiwan's Lee Kang-sheng, and Malaysia's Tan Chui Mui and Liew Seng Tat.
Tears of Kuala Lumpur interweaves several narrative lines focusing on two women — a young, ambitious photographer named Jay and Tze, a widowed auto repair shop owner attempting to heal through drama classes. The film pays homage to P. Ramlee's unfinished (first color) film of the same name, aiming to recapture the spirit of present-day Kuala Lumpur while exploring the city's deep history and the individual psyches of its citizens.
Since its inception in 1972, the Rotterdam Film Festival has been known for its eclectic, independent film styles, comparable to other major European film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. The festival's top prize, the "Tiger Award," is exclusively given to the director's first or second film work to encourage emerging filmmakers. Many of today's outstanding visionary directors are former "Tiger Award" winners, such as Korea's Hong Sang-soo, Lou Ye, China's Zhang Yuan, Taiwan's Lee Kang-sheng, and Malaysia's Tan Chui Mui and Liew Seng Tat.
Tears of Kuala Lumpur interweaves several narrative lines focusing on two women — a young, ambitious photographer named Jay and Tze, a widowed auto repair shop owner attempting to heal through drama classes. The film pays homage to P. Ramlee's unfinished (first color) film of the same name, aiming to recapture the spirit of present-day Kuala Lumpur while exploring the city's deep history and the individual psyches of its citizens.