I am confused by upcoming Malaysian ghost story Transverse (2 Alam). It's the not the plot line that I find confusing, it's why the film was made and what the purpose behind certain key elements was meant to be.
Here's the thing. Directors Ed Zarith and Hairie Othman have created here the story of a ghost haunting a small village. Nothing unusual there. What is unsual is that the ghost is that of a young transsexual named Amy / Adam who is dead by suicide, a scenario that would be ripe for an exploitation film in any country, never mind a country as conservative as Malaysia. What I can't get around is what the purpose of Amy / Adam being transsexual is.
I see four basic options. They may have done it simply to bait the local press and generate publicity. If that was the goal then they have succeeded because there's lots of chatter about it. Or, it may be a case of raw exploitation, simply picking an outrageous topic as a means of entertainment. But if that's the case, then it doesn't really show in the trailer which, aside from the most ludicrous production company intro I have EVER seen, plays things quite straight. Third, it may be meant as an indictment of alternate sexuality, some sort of sincere statement that sexual 'deviance' will lead not only to a troubled life but also a troubled afterlife. Not speaking the language it's hard to judge if this is the case. Or, finally, it could simply be a case of the directors using the sexual angle to present the life of Amy / Adam in a sympathetic way - a sort of call towards acceptance. Again, I have no clue.
The trailer, however, does showcase some very solid production values. This is a well crafted film, if nothing else. And if there are any Malaysians out there who can shed light on the other issues, I'd love to hear from you.
Here's the thing. Directors Ed Zarith and Hairie Othman have created here the story of a ghost haunting a small village. Nothing unusual there. What is unsual is that the ghost is that of a young transsexual named Amy / Adam who is dead by suicide, a scenario that would be ripe for an exploitation film in any country, never mind a country as conservative as Malaysia. What I can't get around is what the purpose of Amy / Adam being transsexual is.
I see four basic options. They may have done it simply to bait the local press and generate publicity. If that was the goal then they have succeeded because there's lots of chatter about it. Or, it may be a case of raw exploitation, simply picking an outrageous topic as a means of entertainment. But if that's the case, then it doesn't really show in the trailer which, aside from the most ludicrous production company intro I have EVER seen, plays things quite straight. Third, it may be meant as an indictment of alternate sexuality, some sort of sincere statement that sexual 'deviance' will lead not only to a troubled life but also a troubled afterlife. Not speaking the language it's hard to judge if this is the case. Or, finally, it could simply be a case of the directors using the sexual angle to present the life of Amy / Adam in a sympathetic way - a sort of call towards acceptance. Again, I have no clue.
The trailer, however, does showcase some very solid production values. This is a well crafted film, if nothing else. And if there are any Malaysians out there who can shed light on the other issues, I'd love to hear from you.