KUALA LUMPUR: Filmmaker Jason Chong, the man behind Malaysian Film Festival 29 winner Adiwiraku, is back. This time around, with a heartwarming family story centred on a cat named Chomel.
Chong, who also won Best Original Story for Adiwiraku in the festival, said that Chomel was a "first" for him, as it had an adorable feline as the hero of the story.
"It's actually the story of family values, but everything is seen through the eyes of Chomel the family cat," said Chong in a news report today.
The 90-minute film which will be screened on Astro First beginning today takes viewers into the world of Chomel, and introduces them to the cat's human friends, such as his owner Mimi, her elder sister Nora and their single father Imran.
It highlights the ups and downs of their lives, and how the smart feline inspires them to be positive and happy.
Chong, who directed the new film, worked closely with Astro's screenwriting team to come up with a feel-good story. The cast and crew strictly adhered to standard operating procedures (SOP) in place due to the on-going Movement Control Order (MCO).
"We all hope Chomel's story will bring cheer to Malaysians stuck in the MCO. It carries the lesson of spending quality time with family, and appreciating what we all have," said Chong, adding that it was a challenge to direct a cat.
"It wasn't easy to get our hero to run, climb and look at the cameras. But we did it, using some tricks which helped make him more mobile."
Astro Show & Nusantara vice president Raja Jastina Raja Arshad said that Chomel was a motivational and inspirational story about the importance of cherishing family members, especially children.
"Having a cat as the hero is a beautiful idea. Many of us love pet animals and it's interesting to tell a story from their 'point of view'," she said.
Chomel stars Malaysian Film Festival 22 Most Promising Actor Zahiril Adzim, who is best known for playing the protagonist Daim in the drama series Juvana.
The cast also comprises Airiezara Yasmin, Yuyun Hikmah, Aniq Suhair, Azizah Mahzan, Aziz M Osman, Adibah Noor, Douglas Lim, Gavin Yap and Era radio announcer Zahier Yusoff.
Chomel tells the story of Mimi (Airiezara) who becomes lonely and withdrawn following the death of her mother.
She soon finds a kampung cat which she names Chomel, and the newfound pet becomes her constant companion.
Meanwhile, Mimi's father Imran (Zahiril) is pressured to surrender custody of his two daughters to his mother-in-law (Azizah), but refuses to do so.
The official trailer for Chomel