As the wondrous occasion of International Women’s Day plays out with applause and admiration aplenty, it is only befitting to celebrate the growing representation of women. Today, we shed some light on the ever-vibrant tapestry that is Malaysia’s film industry, where more and more women have climbed the ranks, both in front of and behind the camera.
The influence that women have had on the local film industry over the recent years cannot be overlooked. Taking initial steps as silent pioneers and evolving into mighty trailblazers, women are redefining the game with fresh narratives and limitless creativity. Of course, their marvellous works speak for themselves, showing how each time, these women raise the bar with grace.
Behold, five Malaysian female creatives who have held their own in the entertainment scape overseas, shimmering in the coveted limelight:
Michelle Yeoh
Oscar-winning actress and former Miss Malaysia Michelle Yeoh has been gracing the movies for over four decades now with her performances as an action and martial arts star in the Hong Kong film scene contributing to her rise in fame. She gained international recognition with her Hollywood debut in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), but it was the universally-acclaimed martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) that became her breakthrough, underlining her prowess.
The Ipoh-born actress’s career has brought her a plethora of praises and honours. Last year at the 95th Academy Awards, Yeoh was bestowed with her most prestigious award: the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of an overwhelmed and dissatisfied matriarch who plunges into the multiverse whirlwind in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). Serving as a wonderful embellishment to her career, the award established her as the Asian to win the category and the first ever Malaysian to win an Academy Award. An acting powerhouse, Yeoh’s passion for cinema is a source of great pride and certainly, an inspiration for millions.
Amanda Nell Eu
With her first feature film Tiger Stripes (2023) premiering at the 95th Cannes Film Festival last year and being awarded the Critics’ Week Grand Prize, Amanda Nell Eu has expressed the remarkable depths of her talent. The Malay-language film symbolised Eu’s fresh take on the local horror film genre where she diverged into body horror.
Eu’s interest in Malaysian folklore drove her to make two short films rooted in such lore and revolving around its fundamental characters – It’s Easier to Raise Cattle (2017) and Vinegar Baths (2018), both of which involved mythological vampiric entities. She soon perpetuated this fascination in her directorial debut that follows a young girl undergoing her journey of puberty in a world where it is deemed a taboo. Driven by her physical changes and alienation from her own community, the girl eventually discovers her own sense of fulfilment.
Eu became the first Malaysian (and Southeast Asian) director to receive an honour at the Cannes Film Festival and currently, Tiger Stripes has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards.
Sangeeta Krishnasamy
An actress, model and producer, Sangeeta Krishnasamy is a well-known persona in Malaysian cinema. She played the female lead for several Malaysian Tamil movies, her most popular ones being Vennira Iravugal (2014) and Vedigundu Passange (2018) the latter which earned her a Best Actor Female accolade at the Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards 2019. Krishnasamy’s performance in Adiwiraku was met with praise, paving her entrance into the Malay-language cinema – she then starred in popular movies such as Daulat (2020) and Air Force The Movie: Selagi Bernyawa (2022).
In the early days of her career, Krishnasamy experienced a brief foray into Kollywood (India’s Tamil-language film industry) Kollywood, through a minor appearance in director Venkat Prabhu’s rom-com Goa (2010). Last year, she became recipient of the esteemed Best Leading Actress of the Year at the Indian Achievers Malaysia Awards 2023. Her first work as producer, Gemencheh Boys (2023) that was based on a true story of a Malaysian teacher who guided his school’s cricket team to success, received immense praise nationwide.
Nuha Jes Izman
A rising actress born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Nuha Jes Izman relocated to New York, fuelled by the sheer determination to etch her name in the industry. Bringing her one step closer to her dream was her screen debut in the second season of Showtime’s adored thriller drama series Yellowjackets. The television series has received seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations on top of being one of the network’s most streamed series.
Yellowjackets chronicles the tale of a New Jersey high school girls’ soccer team whose plane crashes in the deep wilderness, forcing them to resort to savage means of survival. The series seamlessly traverses the past and future, offering the audience a glimpse into the survivors’ lives in the present day. Izman’s role in the second season sees her stepping into the shoes of Crystal, an enigmatic musical theatre-loving kid who is a member of the soccer team. When asked about her dream role, Izman shared how instead of a dream role, she is in the constant pursuit of a dream experience.
Adele Lim
A stellar highflier who is awing Hollywood, Adele Lim is best known for writing the highest-grossing romantic comedy of the last decade, Crazy Rich Asians (2018). Her other projects include writing for several TV series and recently, Disney’s animation Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). Lim’s career embarked on an all-new journey as she eased into her first directorial venture with Joy Ride (2023), a light-hearted comedy.
Lim’s Joy Ride follows the lives of four girls who set out on an unexpected trip, echoing the struggles they face with identity and self-expression. The portrayal of the girls’ dramatic, no-holds-barred experience felt raw and genuine, allowing Lim’s masterpiece to resonate with the audience. Recently, she won the Director Award at the 21st Unforgettable Gala Awards.
Featured image by nuhajes on Instagram.
