Flower In The Pocket

They say ignorance is bliss and that’s probably why the two main characters Li Ohm and Li Ahh in Liew Seng Tat’s full length feature Flower In The Pocket (blessed with the Best New Filmmaker award at Pusan Film Festival this year) are happy trekking through piles of garbage, running around in storm drains and savouring the experience of eating a packet of KFC Tomato Sos. But such innocent happiness masks a somewhat more serious agenda.

FITP follows the story of brothers Ma Li Ohm (Wong Zi Jiang) and Ma Li Ahh (Lim Ming Wei) as they aimlessly navigate their way through daily life. On the periphery of the brothers’ lives is their single dad Sui (James Lee) who is either too busy restoring broken mannequins or sleeping, nursing a mysterious illness and a broken heart. Left to their own devices, the brothers’ adventures make up the bulk of the film and they prove to be infinitely engaging.

Speaking only in Chinese, the boys are forced to converse in Malay when they reluctantly befriend Atan, whom we later learn is actually Ayu. This dynamic allows Seng Tat to explore Malaysia’s multiracial culture. It’s an opportunity that the film uses to comic effect, but without the usual stereotyping. In one instance, Ayu literally covers up head to toe when the boys take in a stray puppy.

Without the two impressive young actors in their on-screen debut, FITP couldn’t have been the small masterpiece it is. Their acting chops shone throughout, coming off very natural and uninhibited on film – no doubt a testament to Seng Tat’s directing skills.

The only downside to FITP is that it loses its momentum somewhere in the middle of the film, though it picks up towards the end. Ending with the beautiful song “Serunai Di Waktu Malam” performed by the The Young KL singers, FITP is an interesting film to watch that leaves a lasting impression of a slice of the Malaysian experience we don’t get often enough in our cinemas.

Cast James Lee, Wong Zi Jiang, Lim Ming Wei Director Liew Seng Tat Runtime 97 minutes Opens 20 December at GSC Midvalley and GSC 1-Utama

TEXT Didi Ramlan