FILM REMARKS

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One of Asia's largest cities, Kuala Lumpur exhibits growing pains as it pushes outward, consuming once undesirable neighborhoods through gentrification. This insightful look at how one Tamil family copes with the impending doom of urbanization beautifully captures the rhythms and sounds of daily life. Without a trace of sentimentality, the film gets under the skin of the individual family members, organically unfolding their personal dreams and struggles for a better life.

The Museum of Modern Art
New York, USA
November, 2007

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"Malaysia is home to one of the most exciting independent film scenes in the world today—especially in the digital form—as evidenced by the buzz and awards Malaysian films have been garnering from film festivals around the globe. AAIFF is showcasing two of the best from the recent crop, DANCING BELLS and THE ELEPHANT AND THE SEA. These two gems could not be more different in story and style, but both reflect the depth of talent and creativity in the tropical country.

This beautifully realized film showcases authentic performances from a cast of mostly amateur actors. The pressures that bear down upon this marginalized community are daunting, but as this film shows, their resilience pulls them through the darkest moment."

William Phuan
Film Programmer, 30th Asian American International Film Festival 2007
July, 2007


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"Above all, I appreciate the film for being situated in a very Malaysian locality, and filling it with real life-size characters. I'm particularly concerned (and very disturbed) about this issue, coz there are doubters who would question whether such films can be categorised as Malaysian, coz they deal specifically with a certain community. I think your film has helped to provide a clear answer to rebut those kinds of criticism. For that, I think it's a very significant piece of work.

I'd be very happy to help promote and disseminate info about Chalanggai in any way you think suitable, coz works like yours challenge misconceptions/preconceptions, push boundaries and give meaning to the New Malaysian Cinema. You guys are helping to change the cultural landscape of Malaysia, and I'm constantly amazed by this transformation. May your efforts be blessed with the success they deserve!"

Wong Tuck Cheong
President Kelab Seni Filem, Malaysia
July 4th, 2007


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"Hope is what keeps families together. But dreams take them further. It gives them strength. It tells them that to achieve things in live, we must have faith and belief. We must have vision, hard work, determination and dedication. All things are possible for people who believe. Ms. Vimala and Mr. Menon believed that they can produce a world-class movie, and they have succeeded. Today, we can see for ourselves their achievements. The fact that this film is being screened at the Golden Screen Cinemas is testimony of their great accomplishment."

Yang Berbahagia Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu
Minister of Works Malaysia
President of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
June 29th, 2007


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"Deepak Kumaran Menon is a very sensitive, talented and professional film director whose work is highly focused. His work is not commercially driven but expresses the desire to communicate a more serious content that appeals to our enquiring mind and sensitive nature. Deepak’s intense portraits of Malaysian lives, particularly of Indian families living on the edge of society, are not politically motivated but simply insights of life as it is. In Deepak’s film we identify with his protagonists. We empathise with the emotional turmoil experienced by his protagonists as they wrestle with the impact of urban living, lack of opportunities and education, as well as a clash of gender as a result of traditional type-casting and upbringing. The latter often results in the subsequent empowerment of women and the rise of his heroes or heroine above his or her harsh environment. Essentially, Deepak gives us a glimpse of how humanity copes with life and its challenges. Deepak gives an insightful perspective of multi-racial life in Malaysia."

Tuan Ramli Ibrahim
Dancer, Guru & Artistic Director of Sutra Foundation
June 29th, 2007


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"Menon's beautifully naturalistic second feature was shot entirely on location with a cast of neighborhood amateurs, and reveals a minority community under stress in the shadows of developing Malaysia.

Jacob Wong
Film Curator, 31st Hong Kong International Film Festival
March 2007


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"Appealing leads and a nicely honed feel for family relationships characterize "Dancing Bells," helmer Deepak Kumaran Menon's follow-up to "The Gravel Road," also set in Malaysia's Tamil community. Current pic uses the aspirations of a young girl from a broken home to comment on minorities coping with urban marginalization, but Menon's approach is far from polemical, and his narrative skills often too piecemeal to create a lasting impression."

Jay Weissberg
Variety.com
February 3rd, 2007


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"Just as in his first film, Menon draws a beautifully realistic and detailed portrait of a family that has to survive and above all has to maintain its dignity. The film was shot entirely on location in Brickfield and the cast is made up of local amateurs. This makes Dancing Bells not only authentic, but also emotional. These are real feelings of real people portrayed in a realistic way."

Gertjan Zuilhof
Film Programmer, 36th International Film Festival Rotterdam
January 2007