Their stilt houses are burnt down, their boats destroyed: indigenous people like the sea nomads in Malaysia are denied citizenship and passports as they are disenfranchised as stateless people. But centuries of history and the graves of their ancestors on the Malaysian islands are proof of their roots. As stateless people, the children of the sea nomads are not allowed to attend state schools, so artists and activists have founded schools in the stilt villages. But the students are repeatedly arrested and harassed. This short film spotlights the fate of the sea nomad village Tetagan, which got totally erased by authorities June 2024.
Director’s Comment: The festival presentation of the trailer is in support of the continuing film project, which searches for the scattered refugees to tell their story. Activists help the indigenous community to raise their voice. and create new hope for the sea nomads. Thanks to the activists in these communities for all their support, interviews, transcripts and translation work.
