Experiencing Interruptions?

Abantu - 同人

Stranded in an alien environment, a community struggles and perseveres to mend itself.

  • Emily Ong Shuyi
    Director
    Riptide
  • Emily Ong Shuyi
    Writer
  • Emily Ong Shuyi
    Producer
    Motherland
  • Pat Nkubito
    Producer
  • Pat Nkubito
    Executive Producer
  • Jeff Yeung
    Cinematographer
  • Pat Nkubito
    Stylist
  • Moni Tan
    Makeup Artist
  • Arunveer Kahlon
    Editor
  • Aroa Fuentes
    Sound Designer
  • Sharon Boakye
    Key Cast
  • Bénédicte Kwalangana
    Key Cast
  • Nathaniel Binega-Northcott
    Supporting Cast
  • Akilah Chambers
    Supporting Cast
  • Lu Yushi
    Supporting Cast
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Fashion, Futuristic
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 15, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    500 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.35 : 1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Emily Ong Shuyi

Emily Ong (they/them) is a Malaysian filmmaker and interdisciplinary artist invested in decolonisation and community. Their work explores multiplicity and transformation in identity during a time of intense environmental shift. A versatile independent, their work as a Director of Photography includes Black & White Duppy (2023) and the award winning shorts, Motherland (2020) & This Land is All Mine (2021), both of which have screened at London Short Film Festival. Emily’s directorial debut Abantu—同人 (2022) has been officially selected for Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2023. 

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Director Statement

This film was a meditation of a very difficult time I spent adjusting to and being rejected by a foreign environment. At some point in time, adjusting was my life instead of just living.

Pat, the creator, and I connected on our feelings of living in England, coming from different countries as minoritised people and combined their styling and concept with my own interpretations of the landscape and characters.

I hope this film can serve as a reminder that community is also searching for you.