#SHOWBIZ: 'Gayong' to stream in 33 Latin American countries
KUALA LUMPUR: SOL Pictures' epic movie, 'Gayong,' is set to enter the international market with its upcoming release in 33 Latin American countries.
According to a Berita Harian report today, producer Eric Ong stated that distribution plans began when their international marketing representative attended the Cannes Film Festival and met with interested film parties.
"Our marketing representative, Movie Move, successfully secured buyers from Latin America who showed great interest in Asian martial arts films, including those featuring silat," said Ong.
"They were particularly drawn to 'Gayong,' finding its script to be strong."
'Gayong' draws inspiration from the true story of the late Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman, the silat grandmaster and founder of silat Gayong.
Directed by Faisal Ishak, the film stars popular actors Beto Kusyairy, Nabila Huda, Syafie Naswip, and Indonesian actor Yayan Ruhian in its main cast.
Ong added that he is currently awaiting the finalisation of the distribution contract.
He clarified that the agreement specifies 'Gayong' will be available exclusively on streaming (Over-The-Top or OTT) platforms and will not include theatrical screenings in the region.
"I was informed that it's solely for OTT platforms. However, we still lack details such as the exact release date for subscribers there.
"I am proud that 'Gayong' can penetrate the Latin American market. This proves that local films and martial arts have significant value and are sought after by international audiences," he said.
'Gayong' premiered in cinemas nationwide and in Brunei on May 8, and is scheduled to open in Singapore this Thursday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: College thriller gets remake with darker story
BACK in 2018, screenwriter Nadia Khan served Malaysian viewers with 'Gantung', a college thriller that served as both a "whodunit" and buddy movie with a tragic and disturbing storyline. Viewed by millions on the small screen, this hit series saw popular Indonesian actor Randy Pangalila play an angry young man named Gibbs, who with his buddies Ray, KJ and Troll, were suspected of driving a depressed female college mate to suicide by hanging. 'Gantung' is back by popular demand, now as a 2-hour feature film with a new cast. Retitled as 'Gantung: Musketeer Code', it stays true to the series and is once again set in an elite school somewhere in Kuala Lumpur. Now directed by Nadia herself instead of Shamyl Othman, the film is also produced by Neddo Works, her company. At the recent preview of 'Gantung' in GSC Mid Valley Megamall, Nadia said that she chose to make the novel and television series into a movie as a result of strong feedback from netizens over the years. "It wasn't easy to get this off the ground but thank God I did. This was achieved through a crowdfundiong effort, and we successfully raised RM200,000 to make the movie back in 2020." DELAYED Sadly, the movie was delayed for three years because of the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent Movement Control Order (MCO). "Filming was done in December 2023 and took a month," said Nadia. She added that while many viewers might not have caught the series on television, moviegoers need not watch it before catching the new movie. "Both stories stand on their own, just that some of the actors are different and the way the story is told is different, too," said Nadia. YOUNG CAST The movie, which opened in cinemas on June 5, boasts a star-studded young cast from Malaysia and Indonesia, with lots of established Malaysian stars in cameo or supporting roles. It stars Ikmal Amry, Ben Amir, Hafreez Adam, Brandon Salim, Shazia Rozaini, Gita Sucia, Taufiq Hanafi, Nelissa Nizam, Bront Palarae, Datin Sofia Jane, Chew Kin Wah, Sangeeta Krishnasamy, Sharifah Sofia, Amanda Ang, Anas Ridzuan, Nadiya Nisaa and Siti Saleha Baharom. Nadia said that there will be sequels to 'Gantung' as it is the first of her three novels in the Gantung series which she penned more than a decade ago. "And the ending of the movie clearly shows that the story of Ray, Gibbs, KJ and Troll will be continued," she said, describing it as a youth-oriented story, part murder mystery, part horror, and part teen soap opera. SOLOZ Ikmal, who has won praise for his role as the villain in Syafiq Yusof's 'Soloz' early this year, said that while he is the hero this time, he is still an angry young man with family issues. "I'm Ray, the de facto storyteller here, and while he's once again angsty, I like such characters as they are realistic." Ben said that he was the "odd man out" amongst the four main characters, as Randy had chosen not to reprise his role as "alpha male" Gibbs. "I was asked not to follow Randy's version of Gibbs and instead portray the 'taiko' of the gang my own way," he said, adding that his version of Gibbs was less aggressive and more subtle than Randy's. JOCK Hafreez said that he was happy to reprise his role as Troll, because the "jock" among the boys was both funny and tragic. "He's very much a poor, little rich boy. He masks his pain behind a somewhat arrogant image," he said. Nadia said that the story was basically about Ray's friendship with his childhood and college buddies and how he is protective of them, even if they break the law and cause harm to others in the same college. "They always have his back, and vice-versa, and they live by this principle which they nickname as The Musketeer Code," she said. FEMINIST Shazia, who plays the main female character Farah, said that she was the "school feminist" who campaigns against sexism. "However, Farah also lives a contradictory life, as she is in a relationship with a seemingly sexist boyfriend Gibbs," she said. BROTHER Nadia said that the key cameos in the movie are Sofia, Chew and Sangeetha as teachers in the college, Bront as the brother of the dead girl who demands justice, Siti Saleha as the manager of the school cafe and Amanda as a concerned parent. Nadia said that the story might be a little confusing thanks to the flashbacks, but that was beauty of a thought-provoking script and novel. "It is not meant to be a straightforward tale, but one where each character has his or her own story to tell and his or her owh demons to face," she said. "At the heart of it all, is the timeless message of being honest with oneself and being a true friend despite life's challenges and tragedies."
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Silat sizzles up Malay dance drama
IT was an interesting tale of a woman who sacrificed love for the sake of her kingdom. Then weave good performance synchronicity and evocative music into the mix, and you get a great night at the theatre to remember. That's what 'Setanggi Tari Melayu' offered at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre in Selangor over a weekend recently. All this was courtesy of the ASK Dance Company and Faculty of Dance Aswara and the Music and Performing Arts Faculty of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). From the 'mengadap rebab' to silat, 'joget', 'inang', the 'piring' (saucer) segment, and the 'zapin', among other dances, the ASK ensemble offered an energetic performance. I was held in rapt attention by the silat segments. The timing is everything when you do fight scenes. There was one move where the lead silat dancer leapt backwards into the arms of his warriors, and eventually landed gracefully and safely. This is not something you watch on YouTube or on your small screen, but live. It takes lots of training, precision and, of course, luck. It certainly calls for trust in your fellow performers too. Lion dance troupes are known for such moves, and I really enjoyed the contemporising of silat moves in 'Setanggi Tari Melayu' by young dancers that fine night. Malaysians of a certain era would have learnt some Malay dances in school, like the 'piring' dance and the candle dance. The way the ASK male dancers delivered the 'piring' dance that evening was jaunty, with plates being juggled and bounced to each other in time to the beat. Sure, we may have waited, anxiously, for one to fall, but none did! The dancers also left the stage to 'joget' up the aisles, offering the audience a more intimate connection to the show. Kudos to ASK Dance Company founder and artistic director Prof Dr Joseph Gonzales, Azmie Zanal Abdden, Mohd Fauzi Amiruddin, creative producer Imran Syafiq, and Mohd Zulkarnain Zuber, who put together the impressive choreography. The music held a special place and the programme e-book listed Indonesian groups like Samudra ensemble and Sanggar for additional compositions. Overall, the music effectively swept the audience up in its aural proceedings and perfectly complemented the various mesmerising scenes onstage. The main leads in the show — Nadhirah Rahmat as Princess Melati, Wong Shan Tie as the devoted sister Princess Melur and Mohamad Adlan Sairin as Prince Adam — staged well-choreographed moves to deliver the tale. The dance drama is about Melati and Melur, who are trained in silat, under the tutelage of their loving parents, played by Seth Hamzah and Ezydiyanie Omar (both Aswara faculty members). A rather modern kingdom that lets women become heirs to the throne, it is rich with a sought-after magical keris that Melati (I guess) would inherit. Along comes Prince Adam, and they got betrothed, but it is eventually revealed that he has bad intentions. At the end, in a kick-ass scene, Melati kills him, with Melur's assistance. The betrothal night scene, when Melati kills the prince, is surreal, even mystical. Held behind a white gauzy screen, the duo is subtly seen as shadowy characters enacting love and then some wickedness. Although behind a screen, the expressions on their faces, as well as their body movements are clear. Quite a cinematic scene indeed! Overall, 'Setanggi Tari Melayu' was an exciting dance drama that featured several outstanding silat sequences. It was thoroughly an enjoyable watch.
![[Watch] 1664 Goes Full Hypebeast: French Beer Meets Asian Streetwear In Malaysia's Coolest Collab](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therakyatpost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F06%2FUntitled10-1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[Watch] 1664 Goes Full Hypebeast: French Beer Meets Asian Streetwear In Malaysia's Coolest Collab](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ftherakyatpost.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Rakyat Post
20 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] 1664 Goes Full Hypebeast: French Beer Meets Asian Streetwear In Malaysia's Coolest Collab
Subscribe to our FREE Forget everything you thought you knew about beer launches. 1664, that smooth French brew you've been sipping, just announced they're teaming up with CLOT – yes, that CLOT, the streetwear brand that makes hypebeasts lose their minds – for what might be Malaysia's most unexpectedly cool collaboration this year. This isn't your typical 'slap a logo on a t-shirt' partnership. 1664's bringing back their popular Bon Appétit-lah campaign, but this time they're going full fashion-forward with Think French sophistication meets Asian street culture, with a side of that Through Bon Appétit-lah, 1664 brings that spirit to life, turning everyday dining into something more special and even more extraordinary, explains Olga Pulyaeva, Marketing Director at Carlsberg Malaysia. This is where French good taste meets street-smart edge, setting the scene for moments that are effortlessly cool, unexpectedly bold, and true to 1664's signature style. The Main Event: TRX Gets a Makeover Here's where it gets interesting. On this coming Friday and Saturday (13 and 14 June), 1664 and CLOT are basically hijacking We're talking: Asian-French fusion food from KL's hottest restaurants (because regular event catering is for amateurs) Live performances by local and international artists A speakeasy-style fabric store selling limited-edition merch (yes, a fabric store – because why not make shopping feel like a secret mission?) The whole thing screams 'exclusive' in the best possible way. You'll need to RSVP at (Video: Instagram/1664malaysia) For the FOMO Crowd Can't make it to the main event? Don't panic. 1664's rolling out their 'Blue Hour' experience at 30 outlets nationwide through June and July, complete with chances to win that limited-edition CLOT merch everyone's going to want. Plus, they're doing that thing where you can snag exclusive ceramic tumblers with your beer purchases at supermarkets. It's like collecting Pokémon cards, but for adults who appreciate good design. Beyond the Buzz: What Makes This Different What makes this collaboration actually interesting isn't just the hype – it's how it represents this whole cultural moment where Eastern and Western aesthetics are blending in ways that feel fresh rather than forced. CLOT has been doing the East-meets-West thing for years, and 1664's French heritage provides the perfect counterpoint. The aim was to create a product that is not only visually appealing but also tells a story of cultural fusion—bridging the East and French, says Simon Wat from CLOT, and honestly, mission accomplished. Collaborating with 1664 has been an exciting journey, and we're thrilled to offer a collection that celebrates the richness of cultural differences while elevating everyday moments. Before you get too excited, remember this is all for the 21+ non-Muslim crowd, and 1664's serious about that #CELEBRATERESPONSIBLY hashtag. Good vibes, yes. Irresponsible choices, no. Follow @1664malaysia on Now excuse us while we go practice looking effortlessly cool for this Friday. (Video: Instagram/1664malaysia) READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
