"The Journey"

Hari Raya Short Film

THE SYNOPSIS: When a non-Muslim widow begins exploring Islam and participating in Ramadan activities, her growing appreciation for the faith conflicts with a hidden truth - she's merely fulfilling her late husband's final wish. As she immerses deeper into religious practices with her Muslim friend's guidance, both her journey and her husband's mysterious request reveal deeper meanings about faith, acceptance, and healing.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Growing up in Singapore's multicultural landscape, I've witnessed how religious conversion can create invisible walls within families. "The Journey" emerges from this complex intersection of love, faith, and acceptance.

While Hari Raya films typically celebrate reunions and forgiveness, I wanted to explore these themes through an unconventional lens - a non-Muslim mother trying to understand her son's conversion to Islam. Her journey isn't just about learning religious practices; it's about bridging the gap between her love for her child and her struggle to accept his choices.

Through Sherry's story, we witness how faith can simultaneously unite and divide. Her participation in Ramadan activities - from charity drives to breaking fast together - becomes more than just cultural immersion. It's a mother's desperate attempt to maintain connection with her child, even as she grapples with her own beliefs and prejudices.