While Malaysian independent cinema is doing good business in the international film festival circuit, films at the local box-office are still very much a mixed affair. In terms of production values, Malaysian films have certainly grown in quality, but story-wise, only a few managed to be engaging.
This new year kicks off with the submission of Amir Muhammad's Apa Khabar Orang Kampung? (Village People Radio Show) to the National Censorship Board. The film is the sequel to his road movie-cum-musical documentary, Lelaki Komunis Terakhir (The Last Communist), which was banned by the Home Ministry last year despite having been approved by the censors for general screening. We're waiting with bated breath to see what will happen with this new film. It has also been selected for the Berlin International Film Festival, for the Forum section.
Other upcoming films:
Syaitan (Devil, Jan 25, horror/thriller)
Director: Bade Azmi
Qabil Khushry Qabil Igam (Feb 8, romantic drama)
Director: Zaili Sulan
Puaka Tebing Biru (The Haunting Of Blue Cliff, Feb 18, horror)
Director: Osman Ali
Mukhsin (March 8, comedy/drama)
Director: Yasmin Ahmad
Chermin (Mirror, March 22, horror)
Director: Zarina Abdullah
Jangan Pandang Belakang (Don't Look Behind, April 5, horror)
Director: Ahmad Idham
Cinta Terakhir (Final Romance, April 19, romantic drama)
Director: Along Kamaludin
Other news:
Tayangan Unggul is currently producing a film called Malaikat Maut (Angel Of Death), directed by Bade Azmi. Pop diva/actress Erra Fazira will be appearing in a film called Anak (Child) directed by Barnie Lee. A 3D animation feature called Geng (Gang) is currently in production. Haru Biru, directed by Shadan Hashim, was initially slated for a Jan 11 release but the date has been pushed back indefinitely. Susuk, the black magic horror film directed by Amir Muhammad and Naeim Ghalili, was to be released in February, but since the release schedule for local films is full for that month, it is also being pushed back to a later yet unspecified date. The same has happened to horror film Dukun (Shaman), which was to be released in March. Meanwhile, Botak, the biopic of notorious 70s criminal Botak Chin, is currently in pre-production.
Special thanks to Kamal of FIlem Kita for the information.
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