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New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Rachel's love story inspires rom-com with Malaysia as the star
A YEAR after premiering 'Sight' , about Asian-American eye surgeon Dr Ming Wang, Malaysian beauty queen-turned-filmmaker Rachel Tan is back with 'Worth The Wait'. Expected to reach cinemas in August, it is her sixth movie and is partly shot in Kuala Lumpur. At the movie's recent premiere in Dadi Cinema in KL, Rachel said that 'Worth The Wait' was loosely based on the love story of her husband and business partner, Dan Mark, and herself. "While the characters' names are changed, a lot of it is based on our story, a long distance romance between Seattle in the United States and Kuala Lumpur," said Rachel. STAR-STUDDED The movie boasts a star-studded Asian-American cast which includes Lana Condor, Andrew Koji, Ross Butler, Sung Kang, Elodie Yung, Karena Lam, Osric Chau, Tan Kheng Hua, Lim Yu-Beng and Vincent Xie, who doubles as the producer. Taiwan's Tom Lin of 'The Garden Of Evening Mists' fame is the director, and marks his second movie in Malaysia. " 'Worth The Wait' is like my favourite movie, 'Love Actually'. It is a collection of love stories and we shot it over a few days in KL in June 2023," said Rachel, adding that filming took place over 22 days in Seattle and Vancouver. SEREMBAN Rachel, from Seremban, "leaped" from beauty queen to lawyer to film producer. "I was doing my first year of law school and tried out a beauty pageant during my summer break. "I then realised that I loved the entertainment industry," she said. Rachel said that like all of her previous movies, 'Worth The Wait' carries a common theme, healing and breaking stereotypical roles. "I love stories that take viewers on a journey of healing and redemption. "Basically, all movies that touch the heart, promote family values and give hope." She said the representation of East Asian and Southeast Asian talent in Hollywood was evolving for the better. "I hope that we can be a hub for Asian-American and Asian movies and TV shows." FOUR STORIES 'Worth The Wait' is four stories in one. "They are interconnected stories of four couples, one based on Dan and myself, another based on my sister and her husband, and the other two based on friends," said Rachel. She added that the two-hour movie was an exploration of love in its many facets and how it is "no bed of roses, but always worth it." "It's not just about romantic love but also love between parents and children, between siblings and between best friends. "There's even one about a former couple who choose to be friends even though they are no longer together," said Rachel whose nine-year-old company Kingstreet Pictures produced the movie. Tom said that many of the indoor scenes were filmed in KL despite being set in the US. "I'm really happy to be back in Malaysia, as I love the people here. "Everyone is focused and positive, not to mention helpful and friendly." SUPPORTIVE He added that Rachel and Dan were very supportive of the cast and crew, and gave him a lot of ideas to improve the storyline. Malaysian-American Ross, of 'Riverdale' fame, said that he was honoured to play the male lead Kai who is based on Dan. "My favourite scene was one where Lana and I had to eat durians. I love durians, and introduced her to the king of fruits in that very scene," he said, adding that her character Leah was based on Rachel. "Our best filming destination was Batu Caves, and both of us loved the colourful stairs into the cave, plus its cool and refreshing breeze." Osric, who is of Hong Kong and Malaysian descent, said that his character had to deal with the loss of a stillborn child. "While I'm not yet a father, I was able to grasp my character's pain and grief because it was the real-life experience of a close relative. "My character is a sensitive yet strong husband whose wife is traumatised by the death of their child." Tan' of Singaporean comedy 'Phua Chu Kang' fame' said that she was once again playing a strong, compassionate and protective mother, and she loved such roles. "Playing a mother is so much a part of me, and here I become a pillar of strength to both my daughter and son-in-law," she said. Singaporean actor Lim said that his character was Kai's father who does not approve of his long-distance relationship. "He wants his son to succeed him as head of his law firm, and deep down, Kai isn't happy about it. "But gradually, both father and son realise that one should be free to pursue his own path in life." SEQUEL Dan said that he and Rachel would love to have a sequel to 'Worth The Wait' which will feature more destinations in Malaysia. He said: "The movie is a heart-warming romantic comedy that celebrates Asian talent, cultural connections and cross-border love. "We want to create something that celebrates our Asian identity and which speaks to an international audience." The movie was launched by Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy.
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Rakyat Post
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rakyat Post
Giving Up On Love? ‘'Worth The Wait'' Is The Pep Talk Your Heart Needs [Review]
Subscribe to our FREE The cast and crew of the film Worth the Wait was in Kuala Lumpur last week for the movie's premiere at Dadi Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Directed by Tom Lin, Worth the Wait is partially filmed in Malaysia and features a stellar ensemble cast including Lana Condor, Ross Butler, Sung Kang, Andrew Koji, Elodie Yung, Osric Chau, Karena Lam, Tan Kheng Hua, and Lim Yu-Beng. The story follows the lives of four interconnected couples as they navigate love, from budding romances, bumping into exes, and facing profound loss together. The film was made in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia to showcase the vast beauty of the city and its rich culture. READ MORE: What I liked Worth the Wait is a lighthearted movie and an easy watch despite its honest portrayal of love and life. Similar to the ensemble romantic comedy film Love Actually , producer Rachel Tan said the story is inspired by her life. Tan, formerly Miss Malaysia, wanted to give voices to couples who face infertility and show love in all its stages and forms through the film. The movie did show the highs and lows of relationships such as going through heartbreak, taking a chance on a long distance relationship, and facing losses and deaths in the family. Since most of the cast come from action and stunt background, it was refreshing to see them as romantic leads and doing something different from what they're used to. The movie starts slow as we get to know the couples but it picks up once the young couple, Blake (Ricky He) and Riley (Ali Fumiko Riley), plot to pair Riley's grumpy uncle Curtis (Sung Kang) with a woman to get him off their backs. There were hilarious moments with most of them in scenes with Sung Kang in it. In the Fast & Furious franchise, Sung Kang's character is known to be always snacking and is a chilled guy. However as Uncle Curtis, he seems no nonsense and is constantly astounded by Blake's silliness. Singaporean actors Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Yu-Beng also shone in their roles despite appearing briefly. Kheng Hua portrayed a grieving and protective mother well. I could feel her emotions bubbling through for her daughter. During a media chat session, Kheng Hua said her greatest delight is always to play mothers on screen. As a mother herself, she loved everything it encompasses to be one and the deep love mothers feel for their children. As for Lim, he plays Kai's (Ross Butler) strict father, Yun-Han, and did so with a comedic flair. He mastered the glare that mother's give to their misbehaving child. It was comical when the stare was extended to the other junior staff in the company as well. What could be improved? While it was an entertaining story, the story line still feels very American. Without giving much away, someone will leave a good career and move abroad without a plan! Have we not learned from the last episode of Friends? I understood that the movie was also made to promote Malaysia as a travel destination and a good filming location, but I felt the scenes were rushed. The Malaysian scenes are shown when cute couple, Kai (Ross Butler) and Leah (Lana Condor), meet up in his hometown after months of navigating a long distance relationship. Ross Butler and Lana Condor play Kai and Leah. In this picture, they're standing in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad building. It was fun to follow them around the city during their ''rush date'' moment in the United States and Malaysia. However, their scenes showing Malaysia were pretty brief and did not leave much of an impression. Perhaps it didn't leave much of an impression because I was hoping for a bit more of an Emily in Paris kind of moment and whimsy, like how old movies managed to do it. An example of this would be how director William Wyler did it in the film Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn in Italy and it transformed the idea of a European holiday. Should you watch or skip it? Overall, Worth the Wait is an enjoyable romantic comedy with nuance. The film showed love in its good and ugly stages that will make some shed tears and rejoice with the characters. Are there happy ever afters (HEAs) in the film? Yes, but I also liked that it showed sometimes leaving a bad situation is loving yourself fully. Worth the Wait will be distributed by Astro Shaw and is slated to be in cinemas nationwide this August. While it's a Tubi Original, the service is not available in Malaysia. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Hype Malaysia
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
HK Stars Louis Koo, Chrissie Chau and Raymond Wong To Greet Fans In KL & Penang Next Week
Great news for fans of Hong Kong stars Louis Koo (古天乐), Chrissie Chau (周秀娜) and Raymond Wong (黄浩然)! In celebration of the release of their upcoming movie, 'Behind The Shadows', these three stars are coming to Malaysia next week! Recently, 'Behind The Shadows' announced that their main cast will be making their way to Kuala Lumpur and Penang in June to celebrate the release of the movie. Louis Koo, Chrissie Chau and Raymond Wong will appear alongside their Malaysian co-stars, Phei Yong (培永) and Yumi Wong (黄诗棋), at The Exchange TRX and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur on 8th June (Sunday). Louis, Chrissie and Phei Yong will also appear at Gurney Plaza in Penang on 7th June (Saturday). There will also be a special hall greet screening with the cast at Dadi Cinema at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Aurum Theatre at The Exchange TRX on 8th June. Tickets for the screenings will be available from 28th May 2025 (Wednesday), 12pm onwards. However, the cast will also hold a public meet and greet at the main entrance of Pavilion KL on the same day, so there are plenty of chances for fans to meet the stars. 'Behind The Shadows' is an action thriller directed by Jonathan Li and Choy Man Yu. In the movie, Louis plays a private detective who fights to investigate the truth of an unsolved murder. The movie is significant for being filmed in Malaysia and featuring local talents. The film is set for theatrical release in Malaysia on 12th June 2025 (Thursday). Of course, if you're lucky, you can get tickets for the advanced screening with the cast members themselves. Here are all the details: 'Behind The Shadows' Press Tour In Penang with Louis Koo, Chrissie Chau, Phei Yong Date: 7th June 2025 (Saturday) Time: 7pm and 8pm Venue: Gurney Plaza, Centre Atrium (7pm), Mega Cineplex, Megamal Penang (8pm) 'Behind The Shadows' Press Tour In Kuala Lumpur with Louis Koo, Chrissie Chau, Raymond Wong, Phei Yong, Yumi Wong Hall Greet @ TGV Cinemas, Suria KLCC Date: 8th June 2025 (Sunday) Time: 2pm Meet & Greet @ Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Main Entrance Date: 8th June 2025 (Sunday) Time: 6pm Hall Greet @ Dadi Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Date: 8th June 2025 (Sunday) Time: 8pm Hall Greet @ Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX Date: 8th June 2025 (Sunday) Time: 9.30pm For more information on the meet-and-greets and the special screenings, check out the official social media pages of Mega Films Distribution. Are you excited to meet Louis Koo, Chrissie Chau and Raymond Wong in person? In the meantime, check out the trailer for 'Behind The Shadows' below: Source: Instagram
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Govt open to views for online ecosystem growth
On the ground: Fahmi (left) attending the launching ceremony of TV5 Free-to-Air Digital Movie Channel at Dadi Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: The government is always open to receiving views and suggestions from various parties as part of efforts to strengthen the country's online ecosystem, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The Communications Minister said concern towards online business conduct is extremely crucial to ensuring the interests of users are always protected. 'It is also to ensure fair and healthy competition in the digital economy,' he posted on Facebook. Fahmi, who is also the government spokesman, said he received a memorandum from Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung outside Dewan Rakyat here yesterday regarding a proposal for a more integrated mechanism to monitor digital business conduct, Bernama reported. He said that Lee's proposal came amid the rapid development of social media and e-commerce platforms, such as WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Shopee Live and TikTok Shop, in the country.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Osman's tragic tale of 'girl in the well' finally hits cinemas
ACCLAIMED director Osman Ali took three years to complete 'Telaga Suriram', largely because of the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed by the government between 2020 and 2022. At the recent preview of 'Telaga Suriram' in Dadi Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Osman said that his cast and crew took a six-month break, so filming was only wrapped up in a year. "It was very tricky; the actors and actresses could not alter their appearances too much, so everybody watched their weight and looks. "And as for the titular character Suriram, I had a substitute for her in certain scenes where she appears as a ghost. "The brilliant young star, Puteri Rafasya, grew considerably over the months so she could not be Suriram in all her appearances, alive or as a ghost." GOPENG Osman also said that the characters of Maimon played by Nabila Huda Suhaimi and Rohaya played by Maya Karin were multi-faceted and "deep", and their emotional scenes underwent many takes. The film's rating is 16, and Osman avoided sensitive scenes all the way. "I did a lot of self-censorship, I minimised violence and did not show any suggestive scenes, only suggestive dialogue." Osman filmed the RM3 million 'Telaga Suriram' in three locations namely Kodiang in Kedah, Kangar in Perlis and Gopeng in Perak. He said: "I chose to have missing children as the theme of the movie because they often become the focus of the community, and this has been going on for ages. "Although most cases are solved by the authorities, there are also a few that remain mysteries." Osman added that according to folklore, many old wells are haunted and are believed to take human lives especially children who wander away from their homes and get lost. "So, I thought it would be very interesting to produce a story that combines mystical elements with beliefs that have been passed down." MYSTERY Produced by Odissi Creative Sdn Bhd, 'Telaga Suriram' is about 9-year-old Suriram whose disappearance becomes a ghost story to her fellow villagers. Her mother Rohaya (Maya) and father Sopiyan (Indonesian actor Fauzi Baadilla) frantically search for her, and with the help of their headman's son Zakir (Farid Kamil) and the no-nonsense district police chief ASP Karmila (Scha Alyahya), they finally discover that she drowned in an isolated well. Rohaya falls into deep depression, and suspects that her late daughter's mute babysitter Maimon (Nabila Huda) killed her. Meanwhile, Maimon's mother and village midwife Khadijah (Ellie Suriaty Omar) strongly protests her daughter's innocence and tries to convince the villagers that Suriram's tragic death could have been the work of people close to her as well as those "in high places". The film's producer Yus Yusop said: "The film, which we produced in 2022, underwent a meticulous process from script to post-production. That is why it took three years to complete, and I'm happy with the end result." EMOTIONAL POWERHOUSE Scha said that 'Telaga Suriram' was her first collaboration with Osman. "Ellie was our acting coach and I thank her for helping me play the tough, no-nonsense Karmila," she said. Puteri Rafasya, who plays Suriram, is excited to be a major character for the first time. "I love this movie because it carries important lessons about family, friendship and vengeance," she said. Nabila Huda said that the movie was an emotional powerhouse all the way. "It is one of my most taxing movies and my character Maimon suffered a lot. "She was literally thrown into the lake, trapped in a crashed car, caged and pelted with mud and rocks, pushed into the mud, beaten with sticks and kicked to the ground." Maya said that the biggest challenge everyone had was to go in and out of their characters. "No thanks to the pandemic and the MCO, filming started and stopped before resuming, and it was a tricky process for everyone. "As for Fauzi, he is a great actor and played his character to perfection, the only good guy amongst the men in the story." Farid said that he was playing a crooked politician for the first time, and it is a stark contrast from playing an upright one in a prominent Malaysian leader's biopic two years ago. "The most unusual thing we encountered during filming was the presence of fearsome tigers! "A couple of them were spotted in the jungle close to our filming location, and everyone had to keep quiet and not go near them," he said. Ellie said that 'Telaga Suriram' marked her first starring role in an Osman movie.
