The Dalang’s Tale is an animated short film about domestic violence with visuals inspired by Malaysian traditional wayang kulit or shadow puppets. Two stories intertwine: one of a workaholic father and his growing impatience with his young son as they make their way to watch a shadow puppet master or dalang’s show and the other of a man who dotes on his son but secretly inflicts acts of abuse on his wife before he disappears after a violent incident.

Irwan Junaidy Maizura Abas Atiqah Mohd Abu Bakar

Irwan Junaidy Maizura Abas Atiqah Mohd Abu Bakar

Irwan Junaidy graduated from the UK with an architectural degree and is the co-founder of The R&D Studio, an award-winning development studio based in Malaysia. He has a passion for telling stories and building make-believe worlds, particularly those that are inspired by the people, arts and cultures of South East Asia. He has directed two animated short films - BATIK GIRL (2018) and THE DALANG’S TALE (2021) that were official selections in over 40 international film festivals.

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