Taylor's University weaves original Tamil song with cyberbullying narrative in heartwarming film

Private educational institution Taylor's University is taking a stab at cyberbullying in its new Deepavali short film that features a blend of a powerful visual narrative with an original Tamil song, delivering a message that resonates deeply with today’s audience.

Malaysia ranks sixth globally and second in Asia for incidents of cyberbullying, according to global statistics. According to data from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), 9,483 cases of cyberbullying have been reported in the past three years, surpassing online fraud as the leading cybercrime in the country.

"Spark in the Dark" explores how to combat this epidemic of online abuse, focusing on a group often overlooked in discussions about cyberbullying: bystanders. The core message of the film is clear: bystanders play a critical role in dispelling the darkness of cyberbullying.

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The film begins with a girl posting a video of herself singing along to a song on YouTube. She posts the video but gets a barrage of unkind comments related to her singing, her looks and even her eating habits as online trolls dig up her Instagram page. 

Disheartened, the girl begins to get very depressed and decides to put away her guitar and end her singing career. When she posts that she has decided to quit, one person decides to post a nice comment about her, telling off others in her group for posting mean comments. The comment encourages more people to post nice comments and eventually, the girl begins to see that there are many people who actually enjoy her work. 

She decides not to delete her channel and instead, picks up her guitar once again. 

Produced in collaboration with Imagineers Film, ‘Spark in the Dark’ captivates viewers with its stunning cinematography and compelling narrative.

The film’s emotional intensity is further heightened by an evocative original song composed by award-winning music director Santosh Logandran, known for his work on ‘Mat Kilau’.

Directors Reuben Kang and Koh Chien Han expertly weave together visual and musical elements, creating a cinematic experience that amplifies the film’s urgent call to action

"At Taylor’s, we believe in using storytelling to inspire positive change. ‘Spark in the Dark’ isn’t just a film; it is a powerful reminder of the strength we have as a community to promote empathy and positivity especially in the online world," said Ben Foo, group chief marketing officer of Taylor’s.

"In a time of increasing divisiveness and online hostility, this film offers a message of hope, showing that with compassion and courage, we can all be the light that drives away the darkness," he added. 

The release of ‘Spark in the Dark’ also reinforces Taylor’s commitment to addressing pressing social issues, providing not only awareness but also a distinct, actionable approach.

As we celebrate Deepavali, the festival of lights, this film serves as a timely reminder that each of us holds the power to brighten even the darkest corners of the digital world, it said. 

The film comes shortly after Taylor's University unveiled a pair of evocative short films that delve into the theme of a rekindled Malaysian spirit for this year’s Malaysia National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations. 

This innovative project intertwines entertainment with introspective exploration, marking a departure from traditional festive films the institution has done before, it said in a statement. 

The first instalment, ‘Mana Boleh?’, is styled in an action-drama format. The film is a quirky teaser that sets the context for the main narrative. The story follows three characters—Uncle Kopitiam, Aunty Kopitiam, and a Young Boy—in a chaotic quest to find the word “Boleh,” which has mysteriously gone missing, leaving the nation feeling lost and hopeless.

Their journey symbolises a deeper search for the essence of hope and pride that “Boleh” once represented.

The main film, ‘Mana Boleh!’, shifts to an info-tainment style, diving into the linguistic, social, and political context of the word “Boleh.” The film highlights that “Boleh” transcends its literal meaning, serving as a mirror of our national identity.

By tracing the evolution of the term, it aims to revive its original essence of hope and pride, inviting viewers to rediscover the values that have long defined Malaysia.

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