30 Sep – Featuring Hollywood actors, local horror film "Don't Look at the Demon" will be making its way to cinemas in over 20 countries. It is the first Malaysian film to be screened in the United States of America, paving the way for international success in future local productions. It follows a group of American paranormal investigators that have traveled to Fraser's Hill to investigate supernatural occurrences in a house. To their horror, the crew got more than they bargained for as they investigate deeper and uncover dark secrets about the house that relate back to forbidden ancient Thai rituals.
Filmed with a budget of nearly RM9 million, the film is based on true events. Director and producer Brando Lee went to great extents to examine and understand the process of ancient demonic rituals to depict the most culturally accurate representation of the hauntings. Consultations were made with Thai monks who are highly experienced in exorcisms to get a better grasp of the procedures and "weapons" used to drive the spirits out. Fiona Dourif ("Chucky", "Tenet") and Harris Dickinson ("The Kings Man", "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil") are among the Hollywood actors who will send shivers down the audiences' spines. Their casting will generate global interest in the film's unique approach to portraying an American perspective of traditional Asian folklore. Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin attended the film's premiere at the DADI Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur last night. He said, "This film provides an opportunity for people from other countries to learn and understand the cultures, traditions, and tourist attractions in Malaysia, which in turn may contribute to the improvement of the tourism sector."
The horror film will be screened in more than 20 countries that include Vietnam, Mongolia, USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. It will be released on 6 October in Malaysian cinemas and in over 250 cinemas in North America on 7 October.