The Big Durian

Malay filmmaker Amir Muhammad directs the black-and-white documentary The Big Durian. The title refers to the durian, a fruit of Southeast Asia with a bad smell but a good taste. One day in 1987, the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur was under attack by a crazed armed soldier. The city was in chaos and many rumors began to circulate.

In order to make sense of these events, Muhammad employs eye-witness interviews, reenactments, and various stylistic elements. The Big Durian was shown at the Sundance Film Festival as part of the World Documentaries program.