10 Aug – Earlier this year, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) voiced out its intention to have a local movie be in the running for an Oscar – looks like it may soon be realised in the form of a latest joint venture that involves Malaysia and Hong Kong. Tentatively called "Admiral", the 120-minute epic thriller with an estimated budget of RM50 million is a co-production between Malaysia's Mega Visual Sdn Bhd and Hong Kong's Times Production Limited. "FINAS will support the production of this movie as we hope that Admiral will be a new premier movie which will fulfill several of the elements needed towards our mission to enter for the Oscars," said FINAS CEO Dato' Kamil Othman as quoted by Rentak Sejuta.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Sheraton Hotel, Kowloon Hong Kong, with FINAS Chairman YB Dato' Seri Azalina binti Othman Said; CEO of Times Production Hong Kong, who is also the movie producer, Tony Leung; and more in attendance. CL Hor, CEO of Mega Visual Malaysia who will also be co-producing and directing the movie, said the movie's objective is to put Malacca "back onto the international maritime Silk Road map, where it was once a great maritime kingdom in the Malay Archipelago."
The action-packed movie is set to be filmed in China, Vietnam and Thailand but its main location will be in Malacca, which will have a life-size replica of Cheng Ho's Treasure Fleet. "Admiral" follows heroic explorers, Admiral Cheng Ho and warrior Prince Megat Iskandar, whose values of trust and friendship made Malacca the most sought after trading hub in the region which attracted the Portuguese, French and British merchants. (Photo source: Rentak Sejuta)