28 Feb - Barely three weeks after its release, Chiu Keng Guan's "The Journey" reportedly broke the all-time Malaysian box-office record for a local film, grossing a total of RM12.92 million and still counting. ""The Journey" has become Malaysia's No. 1 local movie when it achieved highest box office sales of RM12.92mil as at 23 Feb 2014. We thank you for all your support in being part of this historical moment," wrote an announcement made on the film's Facebook page at 5pm on Monday. The film has since surpassed the RM11.74mil record held by "KL Gangster" since 2011.
The movie, which stars Australian stage actor Ben Andrew Pfeiffer, former Miss Astro Chinese International Joanne Yew and 74-year-old retiree Frankie Lee, marks director Chiu Keng Guan's third film after "Woohoo" (2010) and "Great Day" (2011). Set amid the rich backdrop of local Chinese festivals, such as the Jade Emperor birthday celebration at the Clan Jetties in Penang and the Chingay Parade in Johor, the story transcends cultural and social backgrounds while celebrating filial piety, love and family unity. The movie is a heartwarming tale about a conservative father who gives in to his daughter's wish to marry a foreigner on one condition – that the groom-to-be takes a journey with him around the country to hand out the wedding invitations personally. "The Journey" is currently still showing in cinemas.