By turns absorbing and unsatisfying, Malaysian drama Pavane for an Infant throws a spotlight on a thankless vocation in dire need of compassionate support, but does so at the expense of a propulsive narrative upon which to hang its pointed observations.

Malaysian-born actress Fish Liew Chi-yu returns to her homeland after developing a robust career in the Hong Kong film industry to play a worker at a baby hatch centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Amid this vibrant, multicultural society, the services of this facility – where babies can be anonymously left – are in constant demand, but they also draw ire and violent criticism from some sectors who condemn their work as amoral and in direct violation of religious traditions.

Read my full South China Morning Post review here