“TIGER Stripes”, Malaysia’s entry in the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards, gained general release in several major markets like the US, the UK, France, and South Korea, film industry portal Screen Daily reported. 

It also picked up distribution in Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Brazil, and Taiwan. 

The film’s distributor, Films Boutique, handled all international sales of the film.

“Tiger Stripes” was partially censored for cinema release by the Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF) in October.  

LPF’s action caused director Amanda Nell Eu to issue a statement disowning the edited version of the film.

In an interview with The Guardian last week, Eu said film censorship had not changed in Malaysia even though Anwar Ibrahim had become prime minister.

“What has been censored is the very joy of being a young girl in Malaysia. A young girl who is maybe different from the rest, misunderstood, or has the urge to express herself differently from others – a young girl who is innocent and curious about the world around her and fights for her existence in this world,” Eu said.

“Tiger Stripes” is the story of a 12-year-old girl who is ostracised by her school friends.

Eu’s debut film won the top prize at the Cannes critics’ week in May and the uncensored version is the one that will be released globally.

This week, it opens at the 34th Singapore International Film Festival that started on November 30.

Next week, it will premiere in the Middle East and North Africa at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah.   

“Tiger Stripes” is among 89 foreign films being evaluated by members of the Academy of Film Arts and Sciences (Ampas).

 The body will announce a shortlist of 15 films on December 21, from which five finalists will be chosen on January 23, 2024. – December 2, 2023.