IQ.Rock
Genre
Coming of Age, Drama
Project Status
Early Development
Expected Shooting Location
Serting, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur
Logline
In rural Malaysia, a boy with illiterate parents loves to read. A new teacher arrives and sees his potential, gives him quality reading materials, which then help change not only his future, but the future of people around him.
Synopsis
IQ.ROCK, a clever wordplay of the Arabic word “iqra” loosely translated as Read, aims to illustrate the reality of education inequity in Malaysia from the lens of a FELDA boy. Enveloped in a peaceful backdrop of a rural rubber-tapping community, IQ.ROCK unravels the layers of underlying issues deeply rooted from the disparity of access to quality educational resources in the rural areas. Azim is just a common kid of the younger generation of mostly illiterate FELDA settlers, lumped in a classroom of drifting and rowdy SPM candidates of SMK Sri Serting. Despite his surroundings, Azim stands out as studious and a voice of reason, while his friends seem to already succumb to the pre- decided rubber-tapping life ahead of them. Sitting on their predictably bleak and stagnant future, the students were introduced to Teacher Mary who is determined to challenge the education system and make a difference, one student at a time. Teacher Mary goes above and beyond to bringAzim and his friends breakaway from the only reality that they know inside the FELDA bubble.
Director
Khairi Anwar
Khairi Anwar is a storyteller for the stage and screen. His films and stage plays spark discussion about the socio-economic & socio-political issues in Malaysia, including but not exclusive to the topic of race, religion and freedom of speech. Khairi has been a nominee of, and won a number of awards for the stage and screen, including BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, BMW Shorties, and his first feature film, Mentega Terbang (English title “Flutterby”) has travelled to Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival 2021 and Aceh Film Festival 2022. Amongst Khairi’s notable works are Mentega Terbang (Feature Film, 2020), Ralat The Musical (short film, 2019), The Night Owl’s Life (short film, 2022), POHLITHIK (theatre, 2019), & IQ.Rock (theatre, 2018). Khairi strives to tell more contemporary Malaysian stories to the world.
Producer
Lina Tan
Lina Tan is a highly accomplished producer and the founder of Red Communications, a prominent production company in Malaysia. With a visionary approach and a passion for storytelling, Lina has made significant contributions to the Malaysian film industry. As the driving force behind Red Communications, Lina has produced a diverse range of compelling films, TV shows, and digital content. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to nurture emerging talent have led to collaborations with acclaimed directors, writers, and actors. Lina’s work has garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards, solidifying her standing as a respected figure in the industry. She is also dedicated to promoting and supporting the growth of the local film community. With her creative vision and entrepreneurial spirit, Lina Tan continues to elevate the Malaysian film landscape through Red Communications, inspiring aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals alike.
Company
Red Communications
RED Comm started its operations in 1999 by Lina Tan who wanted to set up a production house that focuses on cultivating local talent, is socially-conscious and content-driven. The company has a diverse production slate ranging from documentaries, branded content, commercials, long and short form series to feature films. Lina’s involvement in HIV/Aids and Women’s NGO work propelled her to create 3R (Respect, Relax, Respond), one of RED Comm’s longest running flagship shows. What began as a TV series to empower young women evolved into a holistic audience engagement with on-ground 3R workshops and activities. 3R has also been produced in the Philippines and Vietnam. In 2004, Lina set up RED Films, which proved instrumental in supporting the new wave of Malaysian filmmakers that proceeded to shine at international film festivals. RED Films also set new standards in commercial films for mainstream audiences. It now has a library of films that it owns and co-owns, on top of a wide range of films in development. Each project is evaluated individually for their artistic and commercial value – whilst keeping a close eye on box office returns. Since its inception RED Comm’s strength has always been its people – creative collaborators who are great storytellers dedicated to delivering projects with consistent quality and innovation. RED Comm continues to forge ahead creating, producing and delivering content to a world wide audience with a targeted focus on the Asian demographic.
