KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Hong Kong are set to produce a film blockbuster, tentatively titled Admiral.
This RM50 million feature film project is a joint venture between Malaysia’s Mega Visual Sdn Bhd and Hong Kong’s Times Production Limited.
A Memorandum of Understanding on the collaboration was inked recently at the Sheraton Hotel in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Admiral, a 120-minute action-packed thriller is written by John Richard Khoo and CL Hor, it is centred on the lives of heroic ancient explorers Admiral Cheng Ho and the Malay warrior Prince Megat Iskander. Their values of trust and friendship made Malacca the most sought after trading hub in the region which attracted the Portuguese, French and British merchants.
Filming will take place at several locations including China, Vietnam and Thailand and also Malacca which is the main location and movie town which will be built to resemble the 15th century. There will also be a life-size replica of Cheng Ho’s Treasure Fleet.
The film will be directed by local director CL Hor (Kinta and The Loan Shark), who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mega Visual Sdn Bhd.
A unique and mutually beneficial joint production, this movie and movie town have gained the full support from the Malaysian government. Together with National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas), the project is seen as possessing nation-building elements for the country.
Witnessing the MoU signing ceremony was former Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Also present was Finas chairman Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Finas director-general Datuk Kamil Othman.
“Admiral promotes strong values of trust and friendship between (people of) different backgrounds and cultures. Those are the key elements for nation-building, especially in the context of our country,” said Azalina.
Kamil hopes that Admiral would become a premier movie that would fulfil several of the elements needed to submit for the Oscars.