The acclaimed Malaysian film Abang Adik has achieved another milestone by setting a box office record in Taiwan.
The movie, which premiered in Taiwan on Dec 1, dominated the country’s box office in its first weekend, raking in NT15$mil (RM2.22mil) – the highest for any Malaysian film.
According to China Press, the demand for Abang Adik in Taiwan was so high it prompted movie distributors to add more showtimes. Some moviegoers even said they watched the film four times.
Moved by the positive reception of his first feature film, director Jin Ong extended his gratitude to Taiwanese audiences for their support and encouragement.
“I will remember the love you have given us this winter of 2023,” he said.
Meanwhile, producer Angelica Lee said she was surprised at Abang Adik’s success in Taiwan as “no Malaysian film has achieved such success overseas”.
She also thanked the cast and crew members, as well as everyone involved in bringing this story to the big screen, for their hard work.
Starring Malaysian actor Jack Tan and Taiwanese actor Wu Kang Ren, Abang Adik tells the story of two undocumented men – who may or may not be brothers – navigating a life of poverty in Malaysia.
When an NGO worker arrives to help the brothers get real identity cards, something happens that changes things for the siblings forever.
Abang Adik has already won a string of awards at film festivals worldwide.
Last month, Wu claimed the Best Actor gong at the Golden Horse Awards for his role as a mute man in the film.
The movie also made history as the first South-East Asian film to sweep the three top prizes at Italy’s Far East Film Festival in April.
It won the Golden Mulberry audience award, the Black Dragon Critics’ prize, and the White Mulberry Award for best first feature.
Abang Adik will premiere in Malaysia on Dec 14.
