A KLEX 2024 festival highlight is legendary Japanese composer Otomo Yoshihide, performing a solo set on Nov 29 and joining an ensemble on Dec 1 at the Percussion Store in Petaling Jaya. He will also lead an 'Artist’s Talk and Master Workshop' on improvisation on Nov 28. Photo: Handout
Time to shake up the neighbourhood. KLEX – the Kuala Lumpur Experimental Film, Video & Music Festival – returns this week with fresh energy after a four-year hiatus, reaffirming its place as a platform for grassroots experimental arts in Malaysia. Entirely artist- and volunteer-driven, this international festival celebrates film and music, offering a rare outlet for boundary-pushing creativity.
The 11th edition, KLEX 2024: Being Human, will run at the Percussion Store mini theatre in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya from Nov 28 to Dec 1. This year’s theme explores the intricacies of the human experience through an eclectic line-up that includes five experimental short film programmes, three nights of music performances, and a master workshop led by the legendary Japanese composer and musician, Otomo Yoshihide.
Fresh off a recent showcase in Malaysia this past September, Otomo returns to inspire audiences once more, adding a wealth of experience to this year’s festival.
"This year, the festival aims to 'jump-start' the year-end season, though it's worth noting that we've remained active in the local scene through our SPIL series since the lockdown in 2021. So, it’s not like we’ve been entirely absent. Rather than introducing radical 'change,' this edition is more about 'resuming' and 'sustaining' the work and artists we are passionate about promoting," says Kok Siew Wai, the co-founder of KLEX and also a multidisciplinary artist.
"On a local level, we’re seeing a growing enthusiasm for experimental and improvised music, with more homegrown musicians joining the fold and fans becoming increasingly engaged. Internationally, having been part of the scene for so long, we’re now regularly approached by global artists and musicians eager to collaborate," she adds.
Admission to the festival's events is by suggested donation, with special passes available for students.
Breaking visual boundaries
KLEX's international open call for Being Human (the short film series) drew 76 submissions from across Malaysia, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. Exploring themes of humanity and beyond, the 33 selected finalists span diverse artistic approaches, from abstract graphics and animation to experimental documentaries and reimagined narratives.
Passage Of Time, curated by Kok, showcases cinematic works by nine female media and multidisciplinary artists from Malaysia, Japan, and Vietnam: Teo Wey Yinn, Okui Lala, Chloe Yap Mun Ee, Kok Siew Wai, Sim Hoi-Ling, SueKi Yee, Raito Low Jing Yi, Nakazawa Aki, and Nguyen Trinh Thi. Through themes of family, history, identity, loss, self-reflection, and film language, the artists explore “time,” “change,” and “transformation.”
Spanning generations and backgrounds, the selection offers diverse perspectives. This programme was previously screened in the US and Lithuania earlier this year.
As a curator, Kok works to push the boundaries of KLEX's film selection while ensuring it resonates with and reaches a new audience.
"It’s definitely a challenge – much like navigating life as a human while embracing AI as part of our daily lives! KLEX has a clear direction and focus, and those who seek out niche art forms naturally find their way to us. It’s a bit like people themselves: most gravitate toward mainstream interests, and that’s perfectly fine – they have plenty of resources. But there’s also a smaller group that values something different, and we exist to provide that choice," says Kok.
"This minority needs a platform not just to express themselves but to be inspired, fostering true diversity," she adds.
The festival venue, Percussion Store, will transform into a makeshift "cinema hall" to host the KLEX audience.
"As for reaching a broader audience, we do our best to promote our events within the resources and networks we have. When it comes to talent, we focus on highlighting the work of younger artists and musicians, ensuring quality while encouraging fresh, experimental expressions," she says.
Another highlight at KLEX is the guest appearance of Canadian filmmaker and festival programmer Scott Miller Berry.
As part of the re:assemblage collective, where he is a member, Berry will present Three Turns at the upcoming KLEX, featuring works by Mike Stoltz, Faisal Karadsheh, Chris Zhongtian Yuan, Monica Maria Moraru, and Samy Benammar.
These works explore acts of witnessing – such as the loss of home, the death of a relative, natural disasters, and the return to one's homeland – offering poignant glimpses into the past, present, and future. Three Turns was also selected by the Diffusion Festival (in Toronto).
Music from the edge
The music programme at KLEX is a highly anticipated event, often described as a "festival within a festival."
The Percussion Store will host 32 local and international musicians across a series of live performances and improv jams over three nights, blending Western and Eastern classical, contemporary, free jazz, improvisation, electronic, and noise music with a bold experimental edge.
An experimental music space, says Kok, offers a distinct experience, where boundaries blur, conventions shift, and raw creativity takes the spotlight.
The festival’s highlight is Otomo, the legendary Japanese composer and producer, performing a solo set on the opening night (Nov 29) and joining an ensemble with younger musicians on Dec 1. He will also lead an "Artist’s Talk and Master Workshop" on improvisation (free for students, adult entry with donation) on Nov 28.
A special focus this year is the Taiwan network, showcasing 10 musicians, including Gam Zuei, Huang Ching Yi, Lee Shih-Yang, Lin Hsiao-Feng, and Tyler Bennett. The cross-regional quartet Snow Moon – Lee Shih-Yang, Lin Hsiao-Feng, Darren Moore, and Yong Yandsen – adds further firepower to the line-up.
Other notable artistes include Angqasa, Aris Huzaimi, BA’AH, MAB 189, Yii Kah Hoe, Slaughter Table, Reverse Image, Brian O'Reilly (US), Anquan (Australia), Black Zenith (Australia/US), Lore of Ghosts (Australia/US), and Yuji Ishihara (Japan).
KLEX 2024 also marks a significant milestone as the first festival to be held in Petaling Jaya, following its early years in Kuala Lumpur. This shift not only signals the festival's evolution but also its expansion beyond its original roots, bringing its experimental-minded events to a new community.
"We've gained a new audience from the (Petaling Jaya) neighbourhood, with some attending nearly every SPIL concert (since July 2023) and performances at the nearby arts space Khatulistiwa. A few even travel from across town, which we deeply appreciate. In KL, we had more 'walk-in' audiences, often tourists who didn’t know what to expect. But in PJ, it feels like most people come with a genuine interest, either out of curiosity or because they truly enjoy our content," says Kok.
KLEX 2024 is made possible with the support of the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur, alongside collaborative partners: Topwind Solution, Percussion Store, and Khatulistiwa.
