EXCLUSIVE: Malaysian Chinese filmmaker Chong Keat Aun has returned to feature filmmaking with the Venice Days title Snow In Midsummer, which Deadline can share a first look clip from above.
A collaboration between Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore, Snow In Midsummer revolves around a Cantonese street opera troupe during a turbulent period in Malaysia’s political history in the late 1960s.
The full synopsis reads: On 13th May 1969, while Eng and her mother are watching the Chinese opera at a Temple in Kuala Lumpur, her father Kooi and brother Yeow are at the Majestic Theatre. Amid post-election tensions a violent riot takes place, and Eng loses contact with her father and brother, as the Prime Minister declares a national state of emergency. On 13th May 2018, Eng comes across the Chinese opera chief who confronted the local government on that same day 49 years ago. Together they share a moment of powerless remembrance of a more peaceful period in time.
Cast features Wan Fang, Pearlly Chua, Rexen Cheng, Pauline Tan, Peter Yu, and Alvin Wong. Producers are Kew Soon Wong, Gene Yao, Wai Thong Chow, and Jennifer Jao. Exec producers are Jment Lim, Chow Wai Thong, Zoey Teng, and Albert Yao. The film received support from the 2020 Taipei Golden Horse Film Project Promotion, The French National Centre of Cinema, the Singapore Film Commission, the Penang State EXCO Office for Tourism And Creative Economy, and Penang Global Tourism.
Chong Keat Aun is best known for his debut feature, The Story of Southern Islet, which picked up the Best New Director award at the 57th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei.
Check out the full clip above.
