THE BEAUTIFUL WASHING MACHINE

Comedy, Malaysian style. Writer-Director James Lee?s monochromatic interiors, huge but empty grocery stores, and soulless homes betray the alienation found in sprawling, modern-day Kuala Lumpur?desperation for connection, especially for men. The day cranky bachelor Teoh buys a second-hand washing machine seems like any other, yet it will drastically change the lives of five people. In a magical realist move, the mostly broken washing machine becomes a lovely, mute girl. Teoh takes advantage of her, making her a virtual domestic slave in his home. Pushing it even further, he pimps her on the streets. She finds refuge with widower Mr. Wong, whose adult daughter is upset, and whose wayward son is intrigued. The mysterious girl is extremely submissive and rarely shows emotion, unless a kind-hearted man tries to ?fix? her. Highly symbolic, beautifully conceived, composed, and shot, this is a parable of isolation. You?ll never look at a washing machine the same way again.