Malaisia - 2005

Ostrich Granny

Synopsis: A small woman with a big dream: Mek Ti decides she would like to build an Ostrich Farm on her ancestral land at the ripe old age of 65. This tickles the residents of her small village in the predominantly conservative Muslim state of Kelantan in Malaysia. Even her three grown-up sons living in the city of Kuala Lumpur start worrying about her state of mind. The only person who shares that ambition is Sombat, an 11-year-old Thai orphan living in a Buddhist monastery in the village.

Since Produire au Sud, the production has found 30% of the financing. The projet is in the first stage of pre-production.

Lina Tan has been producing TV commercials and programs since she graduated in 1992.

In 1999 she founded Red Communications, a production company specializing in children, youth issues and sports.

In the past few years she has been supporting and developing films together with independent filmmakers in Malaysia including Big durian by Amir Muhammad, The beautiful washing machine by James Lee and Sanctuary by Ho Yuhang.

In 2003, through a her subsidiary company Red Films, Lina initiated and produced Visits: Hungry ghosts anthology, an omnibus of 4 ghost stories by 4 directors - Ho Yuhang, James Lee, Low Ngai Yuen and Ng Tian Hann.

In 2005, she produced Goalposts & lipstick directed by Bernard Chauly and written by Rafidah Abdullah.

Bernard Chauly graduated in distinction with a Masters in Television Drama, from the University of London in 1999.

His first feature film Goalposts & Lipsticks screened to nationwide audiences in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in August this year to rave reviews, and the film was also selected for international premiere in the Tokyo International Film Festival in October this year.

Prior to that, he had already won Malaysia video awards for best documentary (2000) and Best experimental video (1997) and Best short film (1999).