KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian filmmaker Woo Ming Jin's latest project Stone Turtle premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival 2022 last Thursday, to rave reviews.
Woo, producer Edmund Yeo and the film's main stars Bront Palarae, Asmara Abigail and Amerul Affendi attended the film's premiere at the Palexpo Cinema, Locarno, Switzerland together with some 3,000 guests.
In a statement today, Woo said that the response of the crowd was rapturous, and his film received a thunderous ovation that lasted five minutes.
"Since the premiere, the film has been screened four more times, and reviews from international critics around the world, in English, Italian, French and German have been extremely positive," he said.
"In addition, Stone Turtle has been acquired for worldwide sales by Parallax Films, the company behind last year's Locarno Jury Prize winner New Old Play by Qiu Jiongjiong. Distribution deals in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland are in negotiations."
Woo added: "We are very pleased with the reception the film has had so far in the festival. We have received enthusiastic responses both international film critics and film distributors."
He said that Stone Turtle was an ideal film because it not only told a universal story that mixed genres, but also highlighted Malaysia's beautiful locations and folklores, including Legenda Batu Penyu, which forms the film's title.
Yeo said: "It's so humbling to have our own Malaysian story here, to compete on an international stage. I am so glad that the hard work by the cast and crew has brought it this far."
Besides Bront, Asmara and Amerul, the cast also includes Maisyarah Mazlan, Alison Khor and Samara Kenzo.
Stone Turtle is written by Woo, Neesa Jamal and Deo Mahameru.