FILM SPECS
Original Title: Chalanggai
English Title: Dancing Bells
Country: Malaysia
Duration: 98 Minutes 33 Seconds
Language: Tamil, Malay, Mandarin and English
Subtitles: English
Genre: Family Drama
Shooting Format: Digital Video (DV)
Camera: Panasonic HVX 202
Screening Format: Digital Betacam PAL, Betacam SP PAL or DV Cam PAL

STORY
Set in Brickfields, a township in the capital of Malaysia, Chalanggai (Dancing Bells) is about Uma an eleven-year-old schoolgirl who aspires to be a dancer. Uma lives with her family in a soon to be demolished neighborhood secluded in the backyards of the rapidly developing township.

The occupants of the town are strictly addicted to a daily routine. Another common routine addict, Uma's mother, Muniammah owns a small make shift stall selling jasmine flower garlands to support her family needs. Raja, Uma's father neglected the family after severe disagreements with Muniammah. Since his absence, Muniammah has been single handedly caring for her children's needs. Every now and then, she accepts small contributions from her son, Siva.

Siva, a seventeen-year-old school drop out works as a car wash attendant. Muniammah fears Siva would end up like his father, Raja. The demanding city life and the lost of a father figure affect the family deeply. This gives constant pressure to Siva as he turns to secretly hate his father even more.

The estranged Raja regrets his past and attempts to return home. The family is torn between emotions, as they feel even more vulnerable. A string of mishaps fall upon the family and they are forced to confront the many realities that lay ahead of them.

Muniammah turns to her flower knitting routines to hide her feelings. Siva shoulders his burden in silence to deal with his lost. As for Uma, she dreams of pursuing her interest in dance.