7 Sep – Although "Lelaki Harapan Dunia" dominated the 27th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM 27) last Saturday, the all-time highest box office local film, "The Journey" didn't fall far behind as it won four awards during the prestigious ceremony including the Best Actor award for Frankie Lee Sai Peng. As his first ever feature film, Lee who is now 75-years-old, was not only nominated for the first time but also won Best Actor at the ceremony which makes him the oldest winner to have won in that category. "I feel so happy to receive this award. Even though I am 75, I feel like I have become 57 instead!" said Lee to Cinema Online at the FFM 27 post-party at Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). "I didn't expect that I would win this award since I have never acted before." Lee also said that at first, he thought that he was only being selected to act in "The Journey" as an extra, but later found out that he is actually the lead of the story.
"I never thought that this movie would be so well-received, but I 'm happy that this movie attracted so many people from all ages," said Lee. Lee explained that he previously only appeared in commercials and that was back when he was young, "My first commercial was in 1971. I was in my mid-30s." After winning Best Actor at the festival, Lee said that he would continue to act as long as someone was still interested in having him in their films, "I would continue acting until my time doesn't allow it anymore, I never realised that I would love acting so much." When asked about his next project, Lee who already signed a three-year contract with Astro – said that he is currently working on his new film titled "Ola Bola" also directed by "The Journey's" director Chiu Keng Guan. Apart from the Best Actor award, "The Journey" also won three other awards at FFM 27; Best Non-Malay Film, Best Cinematography for Eric Yeong, and the Box Office Film award.