"Kapal Kertas," or Paper Boat, the New Director Lotus Grande winner for 10-minute short film, was directed by Amirah Arshad in collaboration with Denhouse Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, for The Kancil Awards and Creative Festival by 4As Malaysia.
"Kapal Kertas," was one of the six films for the Kancil Sick Six New Directors Challenge, an initiative by The Kancil Awards and Creative Festival that pairs aspiring new directors and scriptwriters with production houses to bring their story to life. Arshad was selected as one of the up-and-coming new talents and was paired with Denhouse Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur.
An Origin Story Close to Home
Having grown up in a small village in Malaysia, Arshad recognised the opportunities education presented far beyond schoolbooks. Education represented dignity, opportunity, and the freedom to dream beyond the boundaries of home.
So for her first film, she chose to bring attention to the issue of girls’ right to education. In some local communities in Malaysia, where child marriage is still normalised, girls are sometimes taken out of the education system.
The story follows a fourteen-year-old girl in a local village. She is a daughter, a sister and a student, who has dreams of becoming a teacher and travelling the world one day. She writes these dreams on pieces of paper, folds them into boats, and sets them on the river.
An older man, a friend of her late father, begins speaking with her. As their conversations become more regular, his guidance gradually affects and shapes her. Her paper boats no longer carry dreams of her own, but of her mother’s, of the man’s, and of society’s. Little by little, she is unknowingly influenced by those around her, taking on their wishes as her own. Her dream of traveling the world gave way to a desire for someone to care for her; her dream of teaching, to the dream of a family.
The film ends with her, married, standing by the river that once carried her dreams on paper boats, but now taken by the tide of stolen dreams.
While the film addresses the issue of social grooming that still exists, Arshad is resolute in not portraying the older man as a villain. She only set out to show how societal expectations can influence a girl’s future before she is old enough to understand their consequences.
Arshad wanted to point out that in some communities, marrying an older man is considered a blessing by the families and sometimes the girls themselves. She wanted the character to reflect how this is valued in these communities. That despite the well-intentioned values, the girls may be paying with their hopes and dreams without realising it.
New Director Lotus recognises up-and-coming directorial talents to help launch their careers.
Arshad tackled a difficult and sensitive subject, but never passed judgement. The film was well-paced with subtle messages throughout, excellent use of symbolism, and great production. Arshad directed like a veteran in leaving a lot of metaphors to interpretation.
The film does not pass judgement, nor does it tell you to do so. Watch below to understand why this exceptional film is the first-ever Grande of New Director Lotus.
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