ZAMEK Culture Centre

Lai Sum works at a baby hatch that receives an increasing number of unwanted infants. In Malaysian society, sexuality remains a taboo subject, and the very existence of the baby hatch comes under fire from the Malaysian government, which sees it as a sign of moral decay. One day, Lai Sum meets Siew Man, a pregnant student considering an abortion. Their paths intertwine as the two women join forces to improve safety and combat sexual violence in the country.

Chong Keat Aun’s film portrays the suffering of women across ethnic lines. While his protagonists are mainly of Chinese descent, the director also includes episodes focusing on an Indian snack vendor and women from the matrilineal Minangkabau community, part of Malaysia’s indigenous population. Although the film’s Chinese title refers to the image of the earth as a cradle, its English title carries more layers of meaning. The pavane is a slow dance form that was popular in 16th-century Europe. In 1899, Maurice Ravel composed a pavane for a fictional Spanish princess. In this sense, the word “infant” refers not only to a baby, but also to a little princess. "Pavane for an Infant" highlights the dignity of motherhood and femininity, celebrating the birth of a girl in contrast to patriarchal traditions that favour sons.

PAVANE FOR AN INFANT, dir. Chong Keat Aun, Malaysia 2024, 117’