Compiled by C. ARUNO, TEH ATHIRA YUSOF and R. ARAVINTHAN
Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat Aun’s (pic) latest film Snow in Midsummer, has been released in Taiwan without any cuts, according to China Press. The film, which has been nominated in nine categories of the Golden Horse Awards, depicts the aftermath of the May 13 racial riots in Malaysia. Chong had expressed concerns about the film’s approval by the Malaysian Film Censorship Board, but was relieved to see all the scenes intact in Taiwan.
Chong took to Facebook to announce the film’s release in Taiwanese cinemas, stating, “Officially being shown in Taiwan cinemas. Not even a single cut!” The film has received nominations at the upcoming Golden Horse Awards in Taipei for various categories such as best director, best feature film, best screenplay, best supporting actress, best cinematography, best makeup and costume, best original soundtrack, best original film song, and best sound effects. Audiences were deeply moved by the film at the Venice International Film Festival earlier this year.
This is not the first time Chong has received recognition for his work. In 2020, he won a Golden Horse for best director for his debut feature film, The Story of Southern Islet. The film revolves around a woman’s journey to find a cure for her husband, who is believed to be cursed by black magic.
A man in his 90s from Jiangxi, China, has been sentenced to three years in jail for burning down his ex-girlfriend’s house, reported China Press. The man, known only as Ah Fa, set fire to the house after his ex-girlfriend refused to reconcile with him. According to the court’s WeChat account, Ah Fa had a relationship with Ah Xiang in 2017, but they broke up due to disagreements about their relationship and finances.
Despite multiple attempts to enter Ah Xiang’s house, Ah Fa was always turned away. On November 21 last year, he set pieces of cardboard on fire and threw them through the window, resulting in the entire house being engulfed in flames. Fortunately, the occupants were able to escape before the house was completely destroyed.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
