TIGER STRIPES

First Malaysian film selected in Critics’ Week and the first Malaysian female filmmaker invited to Cannes.

Zaffan, who is 12 years old, is a rebellious and carefree girl until she begins to experience horrifying physical changes to her body. Struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy at school, Zaffan denies her inevitable changes and tries to cover them up. Zaffan’s friends attack her, causing hysteria to break loose. One by one, teenage girls drop to the floor in fits, resulting in mass hysteria across the school.

Rumors of a dark figure in the toilets have caused fear to take over the primary school. A visiting Medical Officer appoints himself in command to drive away the demon that is haunting them. He soon discovers that Zaffan may be the root of their problems and decides to perform an exorcism on her. The entire community watches as the Medical Officer uses extreme methods to shame and physically hurt Zaffan. Like a tiger dragged out of its habitat and poked because of our fear and ignorance, Zaffan finally reveals her true self, her wrath, rage, and beauty to everyone.