Star-Studded Thriller 'The Exiles' Taps Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' for Exclusive Dark Secrets!

Taiwan-based Myanmar filmmaker Midi Z has unveiled details about his forthcoming feature film, “The Exiles,” which is set to star Sam Worthington, David Duchovny, and Ke-Xi Wu. The director revealed that the film draws inspiration from Joseph Conrad’s renowned novel “Heart of Darkness,” but reimagines it within a contemporary, original narrative. Speaking at the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest), where he served as a jury member, Midi Z reflected on his unconventional journey into filmmaking, the profound impact of Taiwanese auteur Hou Hsiao-hsien, and how “The Exiles” continues his career-long exploration of themes such as identity and displacement.

Midi Z, who never attended film school, shared that his passion for cinema led him to learn through online reviews, books, and any available resources. A pivotal moment in his career occurred in 2009 when he was selected for the inaugural Golden Horse Film Academy while studying in Taiwan. This opportunity brought him under the mentorship of Hou Hsiao-hsien, who not only personally guided him but also selected his screenplay and accompanied him on location scouts for his early films focusing on Myanmar. This mentorship extended beyond the technical aspects of filmmaking; Hou would often host gatherings with other filmmakers and actors, including French screen legend Isabelle Huppert, for informal sessions like karaoke.

It was Hou Hsiao-hsien who advised Midi Z to “go back and make films about your homeland,” an counsel that became the cornerstone of his filmmaking for the past decade and a half. Midi Z emphasizes the unique position of Southeast Asian cinema, describing it as existing “on the margins” and being “deeply personal,” distinct from Chinese-language cinema. Inspired by Hou’s humanistic approach, Midi Z has consistently explored questions of migration, cultural identity, and belonging across various international productions.

His latest feature, “The Exiles,” continues this thematic journey, with its narrative partially inspired by a real criminal case in Southeast Asia. While Francis Ford Coppola famously adapted Conrad’s novel into “Apocalypse Now,” Midi Z clarified that his interpretation takes a different direction, presenting an original fictional story. The film is a U.S.-Taiwan co-production, shot entirely in Taiwan, with approximately 90% of its dialogue in English. Currently in early post-production, “The Exiles” is anticipated for a 2027 release.

Reflecting on his role as a jury member at MIFFest, Midi Z noted the diverse aesthetics and perspectives present among the 10 competition films, stating that “Every film has its own voice and its own identity.” He stressed the increasing importance of originality amidst the growing number of film festivals across Asia. Midi Z views cinema as “half art and half business,” identifying the primary challenge for filmmakers not in learning how to make films, but in “how to remain original while trends and mainstream tastes constantly pull filmmakers in another direction.” He advocates for filmmakers to embrace their individuality rather than pursuing commercial formulas, asserting that “You don’t need to become mainstream. You need to protect your own voice.”

Looking ahead, Midi Z expressed a desire for closer collaborations with filmmakers across Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Thailand. He highlighted Malaysia’s shared historical and cultural ties through a common British colonial legacy, and Thailand’s geographical proximity to Myanmar as natural conduits for cross-border storytelling. Having worked and lived in multiple countries throughout his career, Midi Z’s definition of home has evolved beyond a fixed geographical location. He believes that “Everyone has to find a way to survive, both physically and spiritually,” and that “The fluidity of identity and cultural belonging gives me the freedom to tell stories. It also gives me endless possibilities as a filmmaker.”