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KAREN(2022)

6.1/10
Tamil•97 mins•

KAREN (2022) is a 97-minute Tamil film directed by Lau Kek-huat. Starring Lau Kek-huat. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, KAREN stands as one of the notable Tamil releases of 2022.

Director:Lau Kek-huat
Mood:
emotionaldarkdisturbing
Where to watch:
OTT availability not confirmed yet. Check Netflix · Prime Video · Hotstar · ZEE5

Quick Facts

Theatrical Release
9 November 2022
Director
Lau Kek-huat
Language
Tamil
Runtime
1h 37m
GudVibe Rating
6.1/10

Storyline

This documentary follows a Malaysian teenager of Indian descent over six years. It shows the struggles his community faces due to racial discrimination and unequal education. These pressures eventually lead to the breakdown of his own family.

“A boy's youth shaped by prejudice and family.”

Film Details

6.1Rating
97Minutes
TamilLanguage
Release Date9 November 2022

Parental Guide

Violence
Mild
Language
Low
Sex / Nudity
Mild
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Mild

Vibe & Tags

Mood
emotionaldarkdisturbing
Themes
identityfamilycorruptionsurvival
Tonegritty
Pacingslow-burn
Complexityrequires-attention
Audiencearthouse
Best Withalone
Violence2
Emotion5
Humor1
Rewatchability2

Reviews & Ratings

Your Rating
6.1/10Rating

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Cast & Crew

#1
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Lau Kek-huatDirector
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Trivia

  • The director Lau Kek-huat is not Tamil but a Malaysian filmmaker of Chinese descent, bringing an outsider's perspective to the Indian-Malaysian community.
  • The film was shot over six years, matching the real-time span of the documentary's story about the teenage subject.
  • It was produced with support from international documentary funds, including the Asian Cinema Fund.
  • The film's title 'KAREN' is simply the real first name of its main subject, not a reference to any other cultural term.
  • It premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, a major European festival for independent cinema.
  • The documentary uses a quiet, observational style, avoiding narration to let the family's daily life tell the story.
  • It highlights the issue of statelessness in Malaysia, where some ethnic Indian families lack full citizenship rights.

Frequently Asked Questions