Chemman Chaalai – 20th Anniversary Screening & Discussion (KL)

Project Future Malaysia and PEN Malaysia present a special 20th anniversary screening of Chemman Chaalai (The Gravel Road), directed by the late Deepak Kumaran Menon in 2005.

Widely seen as a landmark of Malaysian independent cinema, the film follows Shantha, a teenage girl in a rural Indian Malaysian family who dreams of furthering her education despite financial struggles and her parents’ expectations. Shot in a naturalistic style, it remains a rare and intimate portrayal of Indian Malaysian life, reflecting on cultural identity, generational conflict, and the possibilities of change.

Date: Sunday, 12 October 2025
Time: 2.00pm – 4.30pm
Venue: Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), 2nd Floor, Jalan Maharajalela, Kampung Attap, KL
Admission: Free (donations welcome). Seats are limited, booking required by 10 October. Refreshments served.

Following the screening, join a Q&A panel moderated by arts critic Sharmilla Ganesan with speakers:
Charles Santiago – politician, economist, activist
Gogularaajan Rajendran (Gogu) – filmmaker
Rupa Subramaniam – visual artist, curator

Reserve your spot and be part of this celebration of Malaysian independent cinema.