Marine Meanderings through Southeast Asia | Lit for the Planet

Embark on a cinematic voyage that explores the historical, poetic and social ties surrounding marine life in a Southeast Asian context. The four short films each illuminate a distinct facet of the sea and its inhabitants– an animation of fishes and their poetic existence, a poignant documentary on the challenges faced by an Indonesian fisherwoman, an experimental video on the colonial histories lingering in the Malayan strait, and a look at crocodile mythologies in Sulawesi. Their narratives capture the diversity of human-nature relationships and the richness of marine life in our region.  

Join us in "Marine Meanderings" as we delve into the depths of Southeast Asian waters, where the lives of fishes, crocodiles, and humans intersect. The short film programme will include a Q&A with Dr Neo Mei Lin - a Marine Scientist and Conservationist - whose research on the mariculture of marine invertebrates as well as a passion for science communication will provide further insights into the intricate connections between humanity and the sea.

About the Films

A Tale of the Crocodile’s Twin (2022) by Taufiqurrahman Kifu - 18 min

Set in Central Sulawesi, crocodiles and humans must share living space within the red zone (tsunami-prone zone). There, they live suspiciously of each other. ‘Saya di Sini, Kau di Sana’ is a thought-provoking documentary film that embarks on a journey to rediscover and reinterpret ancient knowledge preserved in local archives, folk tales, and myths. It delves into the intricate relationship between old narratives and contemporary ecological understanding, uncovering how they can offer valuable insights into our current environmental challenges.

Jù Rén (巨人) (2017) by Harry Zhuang and Henry Zhuang - 5 min

A stop-motion animation made from newspaper ripped by hand, this film features a school of fishes washed up on a barren island. While the other fishes choose to swim back to the sea, one redfish decides to venture deeper into the barren island. Inspired by Tan Swie Hian’s poem ‘巨人’ [The Giant] related to a an ecological creation force.

Mother of the Sea (2023) by Clarissa Ruth Natan - 15 min

A portrait of Siti Darwati–a fisherwoman from Demak, Indonesia–and her community, provides an insightful look into how she balances household responsibilities and raising her child whilst facing the high waves and winds of the open sea. With environmental change causing fluctuating fish stocks, times are tough for fishing. Fisherwomen like Siti find it difficult to access the subsidies given to their male counterparts. Siti is not alone, however, as we witness her and other women in her village struggle to even be formally acknowledged as fisherwomen.

The Sea is a Blue Memory (2022)  by Priyageetha Dia - 10 min

With the journey of migrant labourers crossing into Malaya as a point of departure, Priyageetha Dia’s animated experimental video attends to the sea as a speculative site of memory and remembrance. The Sea is a Blue Memory reconfigures colonial narratives of indenture, forming new imaginaries through the gaze of a wandering sea spirit.

About the Speaker

Dr Neo Mei Lin

Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore

Mei Lin grew up in Singapore being curious about Nature and how it works. Her fascination with the enormous giant clams started during her undergraduate days, which continued through her research career. She continues to work closely on the conservation and management of giant clams in the Southeast Asia region. She is also the author of her recently published book titled “A Field Guide to Giant Clams of the Indo-Pacific”.

She considers herself a multi-hyphenate and dives into issues close to her heart including marine conservation, science communication, environmental advocacy, and motherhood in science. She believes in using her voice to amplify the important messages that people need to hear about.

Important Notice

This programme is open to members of the National Library Board, Singapore. Please ensure you have your myLibrary username on hand before proceeding with the registration. If you do not have a myLibrary username, you can create one here: https://account.nlb.gov.sg/