Malaysian director Mickey Lai's "WAShhh" short film selected for Locarno Film Festival
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Malaysian director Mickey Lai's "WAShhh" short film selected for Locarno Film Festival

Mickey Lai wants to show the blossoming of beautiful, multiracial friendships on screen
Mickey Lai wants to show the blossoming of beautiful, multiracial friendships on screen
12 Jul - Malaysian director Mickey Lai's latest short film, "WAShhh" will be making its world premiere at the Pardi di Domain, International Competition of the 77th Locarno Film Festival.

Taking place this year from 7 - 17 August, the Locarno Film Festival is one of the most influential A-list film festivals. Malaysian director Woo Ming Jin had previously won the "FIPRESCI International Critics Prize " at the festival with his feature film "Stone Turtle."

"WAShhh" is a story set in Malaysia National Service Camp, where an ethnic-Chinese female trainee is commanded by the teacher to lead her multi-racial female comrades to wash the stained sanitary pads in the middle of the night.
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes
Writer-director Mickey said, "The film is written based on my own experience serving in the National Service Camp when I was 18 years old. Late at night, a group of female trainees and I were ordered to wash all stained sanitary pads in the disposal bin to cast away an evil spirit from a possession incident."

"The scariest thing about the incident was neither the possession nor the unwashed pads, but rather witnessing how the relationship between our inter-racial friends was torn apart by the constructs which were supposed to unite us - education, cultural beliefs, and legalism. This incident raised profound questions about my role and responsibilities to my friends, to my country."

Graduated with Master of Film and TV Production at MetFilm School, London, emerging filmmaker Mickey is interested in telling stories about diverse cultural values, mortality and self-identity.

Her directorial short debut, "The Cloud Is Still There" (2020), won "Best Performance Award" at SeaShorts Film Festival. The film was also selected at Busan, Clermont-Ferrand, Shanghai. Her documentary short, "A Worm, Whatever Will Be, Will Be" (2022), was also selected in Taipei Golden Horse, SGIFF, Toronto Reel Asian, Jogja-NETPAC and won "The Jury Award" at SeaShorts Film Festival.

Stills from the short film
Stills from the short film "WAShhh"
Starring Li Xuan Siow, Esha Anum, and Kaana Selvam alongside a cast predominantly comprises of non-professional actors, the film's authenticity is underscored by extensive preparation, including workshops and activities to foster genuine chemistry and portray the realities of national service life.

"Witnessing the blossoming of this beautiful, multiracial friendship on screen has been truly rewarding. I am deeply grateful for the invaluable lessons and personal growth that this film has imparted to us all," Mickey added.
Mickey Lai giving instructions to the actors
Mickey Lai giving instructions to the actors

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