Pendatang: How a Crowdfunded Film Challenges Malaysia’s Racial Divide

Pendatang, which means “outsider” or “foreigner” in Malay, is a dystopian thriller that plays on Malaysia’s ethnic tensions. It is the country’s first entirely crowdfunded film that aims to share one of many perspectives on the possible impact and danger of racial politics on the lives of ordinary people.

The film is set in a future Malaysia where the different races are not allowed to mix, by force of draconian law. The story starts when a Chinese family moves into their new “allocated” house and discovers a small Malay girl hiding there. Should they just ‘get rid’ of her and put her in mortal danger, or risk their own safety and lives by trying to smuggle her back to “the Malay area”?

The film’s director, Ng Ken Kin, said he wanted to explore the theme of humanity versus extremism, and how people can overcome their prejudices and fears in the face of adversity. He also said he was inspired by the current social and political situation in Malaysia, where racial and religious issues are often exploited for political gain.

The film’s screenplay was written by Lim Boon Siang, who said he wanted to create a realistic and relatable story that reflects the diversity and complexity of Malaysian society. He said he hoped the film would spark constructive dialogue and awareness among the viewers, and challenge them to think about their own role and responsibility in shaping the future of the country.

Movie is Produced By the Crowd: How?

The film’s co-producers, Amir Muhammad and James Chong, said they decided to crowdfund the film because they wanted to involve the public in the creative process and give them a sense of ownership and participation. They also said they wanted to avoid the censorship and interference that often plague mainstream films in Malaysia.

The film’s crowdfunding campaign, which was launched on Indiegogo in September 2023, surpassed its initial goal of RM300,000 (US$72,000) in less than a month, thanks to the support of more than 2,000 backers from Malaysia and abroad. The campaign is set to officially close on December 16, 2023, and the film is planned to release on December 21, 2023, on YouTube for free.

The film’s teaser, which features interviews with the director, screenwriter, and co-producers, as well as some behind-the-scenes footage, can be watched on Kuman Pictures’ website or Indiegogo page. The film’s official trailer is expected to be released soon.

Pendatang is the second feature film by Kuman Pictures, a Malaysian independent film production company that specializes in low-budget genre films. The company’s first film, Two Sisters, a horror thriller directed by James Lee, was released in April 2023 and received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.