The Tiger Factory is a Malaysian drama film directed by Woo Ming Jin, released in 2010. The film follows the life of Ping Ping, a young woman who dreams of leaving her mundane life and working for a car parts company in Japan. However, with no money or passport, she is trapped under her aunt's guardianship and made to work in two menial jobs to support herself.
The first job is working in a pig farm, where Ping Ping endures the harsh conditions of the job. Her second job is working as a dish cleaner in a restaurant, where she befriends a young waitress, Li Ling. Ping Ping shares her dream of going to Japan with Li Ling, who tells her about her own dream of marrying a foreigner to escape her life in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Ping Ping’s aunt, Madame Tien, is involved in a scheme of pairing young women with migrant workers to sell their babies for money. Tien treats Ping Ping harshly, occasionally hitting her and offering her little support and affection. Ping Ping grows increasingly frustrated with her situation, and Tien's lack of support for her dream of leaving Malaysia only deepens their rift.
As the story unfolds, Ping Ping is met with a series of challenges that test her resolve to achieve her goal. In the end, a truth is revealed about Tien, which changes Ping Ping's perception of her aunt and sets her on a different path.
The Tiger Factory is a poignant yet unflinching portrayal of the struggles of women in Malaysia, highlighting the limited opportunities they have, and the exploitation and oppression they face in their pursuit of a better life. The film is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit, exemplified by Ping Ping's unwavering conviction to realize her dreams.