After a young man's sexual relationship with an under-age teen whom he
met on the internet is exposed, a storm of controversy is followed by
murderous consequences. Malaysian filmmaker Ho Yuhang seeks to go
beyond the surface of this type of incident, which happens in every city,
and to explore the core of the problem, including failing filial values, a rigid
education system and tabloid journalism. After the success of Rain Dogs
(2006) at Venice, Toronto, Nantes, and other festivals, Ho will once again
team up with producer Lorna Tee for At the End of Daybreak, a chilling
social tragedy near the point of explosion.
Tuck Chai, a man in his 20s, meets Ying, a high school girl, through the
internet. Their sexual relationship, however, is soon discovered by the
under-aged girl's parents who threaten to press charges against the man.
According to the law, sex with a minor constitutes rape. The man's mother
negotiates with the girl's parents, however, and reaches a monetary
settlement instead. Yet, after the mother has successfully raised the cash,
the girl's parents still insist on suing him. The man, fearing an impending
jail sentence, secretly asks the girl out to try to convince her. By this time,
though, only fear, frustration, anger, hatred, and distrust exist between
them. Matters begin to spiral down to a tragic denouement.
