Pavane for an Infant
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Theatrical Screenings
Kinoteka 2
Kinoteka 3
Online Availability
Additional Materials
Film description
Lai Sum works at a baby hatch that receives an increasing number of unwanted infants. In Malaysian society, sexuality remains a taboo subject, and the very existence of the baby hatch comes under fire from the Malaysian government, which sees it as a sign of moral decay. One day, Lai Sum meets Siew Man, a pregnant student considering an abortion. Their paths intertwine as the two women join forces to improve safety and combat sexual violence in the country.
Chong Keat Aun’s film portrays the suffering of women across ethnic lines. While his protagonists are mainly of Chinese descent, the director also includes episodes focusing on an Indian snack vendor and women from the matrilineal Minangkabau community, part of Malaysia’s indigenous population. Although the film’s Chinese title refers to the image of the earth as a cradle, its English title carries more layers of meaning. The pavane is a slow dance form that was popular in 16th-century Europe. In 1899, Maurice Ravel composed a pavane for a fictional Spanish princess. In this sense, the word “infant” refers not only to a baby, but also to a little princess. "Pavane for an Infant" highlights the dignity of motherhood and femininity, celebrating the birth of a girl in contrast to patriarchal traditions that favour sons.
text:
Maja Korbecka
Chong Keat Aun
A Malaysian filmmaker of Chinese descent. His short film "Cemetery of Courtesy" was screened in competition at the Busan International Film Festival. His debut feature, "The Story of Southern Islet", won the Best New Director and FIPRESCI awards at the Taipei Golden Horse Awards. His second film, "Snow in Midsummer", premiered at Venice Days during the Venice International Film Festival in 2023 and received nine Golden Horse nominations. "Pavane for an Infant" is his third feature film.
2017 Yi shan / Cemetery of Courtesy (short)
2021 Historia południowej wyspy / Nan wu / The Story of Southern Islet
2021 Yi wai / The Incident (short)
2022 Dayang Bersiong / The Sinful Cook (short)
2023 Wu yue xue / Snow in Midsummer
2024 Pawana nad kołyską / Yaolan fan shi / Pavane for an Infant

