KOTA KINABALU: On the streets of Kota Kinabalu, kids selling contraband cigarettes, plastic baskets and offering to carry heavy loads are a familiar sight.
For filmmaker and singer Ebi Kornelis, their presence inspired a story he felt needed to be told.
That story is Syurga Dalam Botol, a film that explores the deeply human side of statelessness in Sabah, an issue often misunderstood and rarely addressed on screen.
The film, which marks Ebi’s directorial debut, is set for nationwide release on Oct 9.
The idea was born in 2021 when Ebi directed a television documentary in Sandakan.
During filming, he came across many undocumented children working in the city.
What began as simple curiosity led him to uncover the daily struggles they face.
Syurga Dalam Botol examines the causes and consequences of statelessness – including unregistered marriages, lack of access to education, drug syndicates, forged documents and the harsh reality of poverty.
The project was one of 10 proposals selected from 184 submissions for funding under the National Film Development Corporation’s (Finas) FAME programme. But its journey to the big screen was far from straightforward. Even the title sparked debate, with some claiming it would glorify illegal migration.
“There were people who said this was a story about Pati and that it would give Sabah a bad image. It was heartbreaking to hear such comments before they had even seen the film,” Ebi said.
He stressed that the story does not focus on Pati but on those born in Malaysia without citizenship.
While Pati refers to foreigners who enter the country illegally, stateless people are often children of Malaysian parents who failed to register their births due to unregistered marriages, family issues or neglect.
As a result, they are denied access to education and opportunities, with their dreams “trapped like paradise in a bottle”.
The film also faced production challenges. With a limited budget, Ebi had to ensure every resource was stretched without compromising quality.
Many of the cast and crew were newcomers, requiring more time and effort to achieve professional standards.
Filming logistics added to the difficulties, with the team having to travel by boat daily to reach remote locations.
Ebi hopes the film will reach audiences beyond Sabah and inspire a broader understanding of the statelessness issue.
“I want this film to be embraced not just here, but across the country. Film is not just entertainment – it can educate, deliver important messages, generate income and elevate the image of our state and nation,” he said.
