Documentary on former gangster-turned-SEA Games medalist wins LA Film award

By: Patrick Beech

A local documentary which tells the story of a former gangster who became a Malaysian SEA Games medalist clinched the Best Inspirational Film award recently at the Los Angeles Film Awards.

The documentary, Wanted: Shades of Life features Genkeswaran Muniyan who despite all odds, turned his life around and inspired thousands of students across the country to pick up the game of chess as a means to develop themselves.

The local documentary is produced by 22-year-old director, Sanadtkumar Ganesan who is fondly known as Sanadt.

The latest documentary revolves around Carey Island-native, Genkeswaran (also known as Gen), who, after going to jail, decided to turn over a new leaf.

Starting afresh, he found his passion in the game of chess, leading him to represent Malaysia in the 2013 SEA Games held in Myanmar, where he brought back a Bronze medal for the nation.

After his triumphant win, Genkeswaran founded his chess school, Chess Master Journey, to make the game more accessible and provide opportunities to youngsters like him.

Sanadt is a final-year film production student at the Toronto Film School in Canada.

The documentary is currently completing its festival run in the US and Sweden, with Official Selections at the Stockholm City Film Festival (November 2022) and Festigious International Film Festival Award (January 2023).

Wanted: Shades of Life Ep.3 featuring Genkeswaran Muniyan will be screened at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) in 1Utama at 2pm on March 26.