The social drama directed by Jin Ong won the Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the 10th Asian World Film Festival (Photo: Greg Doherty)
The 97th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Before that, nominations will be announced on Friday, Jan 17. The countdown to the Oscars this time around has never been more anticipated in Malaysia, at least among our filmmaking and cinema-loving community, and here’s why.
Malaysia’s official submission for the 2024 Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film, Abang Adik, has been garnering global acclaim, solidifying its status as a landmark film for the nation’s multicultural narrative.
Directed by Jin Ong, this poignant social drama explores themes of statelessness, familial bonds and survival, resonating with audiences at home and abroad, and brings our diverse identity into sharp focus.
Set in as honest a Kuala Lumpur as one would ever expect to see in downtown Pudu, Abang Adik tells the story of two orphaned, undocumented brothers: the deaf-mute Abang, played by Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren, and Adik, portrayed by Malaysian actor Jack Tan.
The siblings navigate a harsh world in which their lack of citizenship denies them basic rights, including access to education and employment. Despite the hardship, their unwavering bond forms the emotional core of the narrative, as they wrestle with choices that could change their lives forever.
The film’s use of Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese and sign language not only enhances its authenticity but also reflects Malaysia’s linguistic and cultural plurality.
Intercultural specialist Dr Asma Abdullah feels the film is “a true testament to the incredible talent within our local film industry” and “a shining example of how Malaysian cinema can produce films that are both culturally significant and universally appealing”.
Ong’s vision is both heartfelt and unflinching. In Abang Adik, his directorial debut, the seasoned filmmaker — known for producing socially conscious works such as Shuttle Life (2017) and Miss Andy (2020) — tackles the rarely discussed issue of statelessness in Malaysia.
Ong’s storytelling has been widely lauded for its ability to balance gritty realism with tender humanity. The sublime beauty and confronting brutality of a multicultural milieu are captured in all are kaleidoscopic, yet mesmerising, paradoxes.
Cinematographically, Abang Adik is faultless, even with several plot twists that make it a compelling watch. Counterintuitive moments occur like, yes, Malaysia Boleh!
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The film has achieved remarkable success on the international circuit, starting with its world premiere at the 25th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, where it won three prestigious awards: the Golden Mulberry Audience Award, the Black Dragon Critics’ Award and the White Mulberry for Best First Feature — an unprecedented feat for a Southeast Asian film.
It continued its winning streak at the 37th Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland, claiming the Audience Award and the Ecumenical Jury Award for its values of justice and solidarity.
Most recently, it received accolades at the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles no less, including Best Film and Best Actor for Wu, further affirming its universal appeal.
The film’s impact extends beyond accolades, as it resonates deeply with Malaysians.
Viewers have praised its authentic portrayal of societal struggles and the nuanced performances of its leads.
Tan, a rising star in Malaysian cinema, captures Adik’s desperation and loyalty with profound sensitivity, while Wu delivers a stirring portrayal of Abang’s silent strength. The chemistry between the two actors makes their brotherhood utterly believable, heightening the film’s emotional resonance.
For Malaysia, a nation celebrated for its diversity, the global recognition of Abang Adik serves as a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling to unite and amplify voices.
It is not just a film; it is a call to celebrate, protect and understand the varied experiences that shape Malaysia’s identity, and exactly what makes us unique.
As the Oscars approach, the journey of Abang Adik is already a victory, one that exemplifies the transformative potential of Malaysian creativity on the international stage.
With Abang Adik, Ong has not only crafted an unforgettable film but also elevated Malaysia’s unique cultural narrative to global prominence.
Credit to Finas, our national film board, for adhering to meritocracy and ignoring the voices (too often just in our own heads) that keep us apart. If you know, you know.
Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, our doyen of intercultural dance, feels that the Malaysian box office success of Abang Adik “represents the conscience of pluralistic Malaysia, especially the youths who believe that Malaysia should no longer divide itself along racial and religious lines”.
Whether or not it clinches the coveted Academy Award, the film’s triumph lies in its ability to connect, educate and inspire — a true hallmark of great art, not just great cinema.
The online version of premier entertainment magazine Variety describes Abang Adik as “a significant achievement in Malaysian social realist cinema”, lists its remarkable run of numerous awards and concludes by hailing it as “a standout among this year’s crop of Oscar international feature film contenders”.
Now, that should get enough members of the Academy to at least give it a look in and vote for its win.
Zaidi Musa, literary activist and independent publisher of Kedai Hitam Putih in Kota Bharu, believes “Abang Adik is a movie that reminds Malaysians to prioritise compassion over differences”.
“All relationships can overcome struggles if we commit to one another like siblings. Surely, we should know this after more than 60 years of independence?” he asks thoughtfully.
This article first appeared on Dec 9, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
