Going abroad
It’s time for Malaysian films to penetrate the international market.
AFTER a successful year experienced by the local film industry, with record-breaking box office intake, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo wants Malaysian films to become major players internationally.
“Films like Munafik 2, Hantu Kak Limah, Paskal and Polis Evo 2 have made an impact at the box office, even bettering the collection of some foreign films in Malaysia.
“We mustn’t only be champions at home, we must also work towards developing our films to become an export commodity,” he said at an event last week.
“Our films have the unique strength to portray our identity while carrying themes that are relatable globally.”
One way Gobind hopes this will happen is via the newly launched portal, Malaysia Creative Industry Exchange (www.mcix.my) – an initiative by Communications and Multimedia Ministry, Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and National Film Development Corporation (Finas)
MCIX is set to be a digital directory portal for the country’s creative industry. It will include profiles of filmmakers, crew, graphic artist, etc.
He said this would allow anyone around the world to have access to Malaysian creative talents at their fingertips.
“Data is king, and MCIX can serve as a fuel for the digital economy.
“The local content that penetrated the international market this year had the investment value of RM101.48mil compared to RM82.54mil last year,” said Gobind before presenting certificates of appreciation to 10 Malaysian films that received awards at international levels.
The 10 films are A House Of Happiness, Redha, Shuttle Life, Sughamaai Subbulakshmi, Thottam: The Garden, Interchange, Guang, Aqerat, Adiwiraku and Crossroads: One Two Jaga.
Director Edmund Yeo – whose film Aqerat won awards at JogjaNETPAC Asian Film Festival and Tokyo International Film Festival – said: “We are heading in the right direction with MCIX. Whether we are an indie or a mainstream filmmaker, we have to work together to better the industry. So having a database like MCIX can only connect us better.”
Yeo remarked that he has been going to international film festivals for the past 10 years all on his own.
He hopes with the government looking into making the film industry as a long-term export, it could provide financial backings to filmmakers who want to bring Malaysian films to international markets.
“In a way, we are promoting Malaysia with our films.
“Countries like Taiwan and South Korea send big entourages to film festivals; it would be great if Malaysian filmmakers could work hand in hand with the government when it comes to bringing our films overseas as well,” he said.
This is something Gobind’s ministry is aware of.
Last month, the government announced it has allocated RM100mil through Film In Malaysia Incentive (Fimi) during Budget 2019.
“Crazy Rich Asians, which received Fimi, proves that to continuously position Malaysia (in the global eye), there has to be an effective marketing strategy and a high cost.”
Actor and producer Bront Palarae, whose company Pixel Play produced One Two Jaga, also sees MCIX as an advantage for the local film industry.
“We have always operated on the fringe, within our own space, but MCIX is a leverage we can utilise,” he said. “We want to keep on producing movies that make an impact locally and internationally.”
One Two Jaga travelled abroad to New York Asian Film Festival as well as Five Flavours Asian Film Festival in Poland this year. It was shown at selected cinemas in Malaysia recently, and is now available on Netflix.
“Since going on Netflix, I have seen vlog reviews from American viewers who have never seen Malaysian films before. The Internet has definitely allowed us to make a connection worldwide,” he added.