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Invisible People

INVISIBLE PEOPLE is an animated documentary series showcasing Malaysia's stateless and refugee communities, chronicling their struggles and fights for systemic change. It explores individual stories beyond monolithic news headlines, uncovering diverse experiences behind often simplified perspectives.

The series features 6 members/allies of these groups, with each participant having their own 7-8 minute episode. Due to the nuanced, unique experiences of every individual with the issues at hand, this episodic format allows their stories to truly shine without compromising for a single, linear narrative.

Episode 1 centers around Malaysian mother, Adria Sharmini Elwell, and her son Rishon Elwell. Rishon was born in Sri Lanka to a non-Malaysian father, rendering him stateless. He has thus not been able to enjoy the rights of a Malaysian citizen since the family returned home. By sharing her experiences, Adria hopes to spread awareness about the issue, and urge the authorities to eliminate gender-biased policies barring its own people from citizenship.

  • Jean Ho
    Director
    Kairos
  • Jean Ho
    Executive Producers
    Kairos
  • Li Wei Ng
    Executive Producers
  • Keiph Oliver
    Executive Producers
    Kairos
  • KB Ho
    Executive Producers
  • Doris Tan
    Executive Producers
  • Clair Hor
    Executive Producers
  • Alice Chan
    Associate Producers
  • Yasmin Oh
    Associate Producers
  • Adria Sharmini Elwell
    Key Cast: Episode 1
  • Rishon Elwell
    Key Cast: Episode 1
  • Tamara Joan Duraisingam
    Key Cast: Episode 2
  • Lian Sang (Peter) Tawk
    Key Cast: Episode 3
  • Maalini Ramalo
    Key Cast: Episode 4
  • Yoke Ling Chee
    Key Cast: Episode 5
  • Rohana Abdullah
    Key Cast: Episode 6
  • Rafaella Villamar
    Animator: Episode 1
  • Sruthi Mohan Kumar
    Animator: Episode 2
  • Nirva Panchal
    Animator: Episode 3
  • Josie Masset
    Animator: Episode 4
    Lady Comics, Day With a Dick
  • Carol Marin Otarola
    Animators: Episode 5
  • Reuben Gasiel Densmore
    Animators: Episode 5
  • Olivia Jensen
    Animator: Episode 6
    waiting by the phone, Kiss 'n' Ride
  • Evan Carter
    Animator: Intro/Outro Sequences
    Shiba King: Assassination
  • Marissa Metoyer
    Editor: Participant Narrations
  • Olivia Vaccher
    Editor: Trailers & Social Media Videos
  • Jean Ho
    Co-Editor
    Kairos
  • Noisefloor LTD
    Post Sound Services
    Kairos, Hoop Dreams, Home Alone 1 & 2, Goodfellas, 63 Boycott
  • Kelvin Lee
    Composer
    Kairos
  • SMASH Virtual Production Studios
    Special Thanks
    Chicago PD, Dark Matter
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 24 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 5, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    6,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Malaysia
  • Country of Filming:
    Malaysia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Animation
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jean Ho

Growing up in vibrant and multicultural Malaysia, Jean Ho moved to Chicago in 2019 to pursue her filmmaking dreams at DePaul University. Since then, she has gained multiple Director, Writer, Cinematographer, 1st/2nd Assistant Camera, Key Grip, and Electrician credits across a variety of shorts, faculty films, commercials, and features. She currently holds a BFA in Cinematography and a Screenwriting minor.

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Director Statement

Malaysia’s own nationality law is manufacturing statelessness. This has left many without citizenship. Despite hosting a large population of refugees, Malaysia is also not party to the United Nation’s 1951 Refugee Convention, leading to a lack of protection and asylum system for refugees. It's time they're heard.