Action Film ‘Barbarian Invasion’ releases across Malaysian cinemas on 24 November

Martial arts scenes shot against a backdrop of the South China Sea pay tribute to Bruce Lee and The Bourne Identity.
First four days at the Box Office most crucial

The Making of Barbarian Invasion: https://youtu.be/1GnjkSi03Hs

8 November 2022, Kuala Lumpur (PRNewsGIG) – Da Huang Pictures announces the theatrical release of Malaysian action film ‘Barbarian Invasion’ in Malaysian cinemas from 24 November 2022.

‘Barbarian Invasion (Malay title: Belenggu)’ is the third feature film directed by Malaysian award-winning director Tan Chui Mui. Tan’s journey to self-discovery unravels as the actor/director undergoes extensive training in martial arts and performs all of her stunts herself.

Martial arts scenes shot against a backdrop of the South China Sea pay tribute to Bruce Lee and The Bourne Identity

In the spirit of Malaysia’s multiculturalism, the Mandarin/Malay film was shot on the picturesque East Coast of Malaysia and stars local stalwarts Pete Teo, Bront Palarae, James Lee, Mano Maniam and Zhiny Ooi. In order to perform the martial arts scenes, Tan went to the Philippines and Phuket, Thailand to learn martial arts over a span of 18-months. She trained in the stick-fighting style Eskrima in the Philippines, a style greatly practiced by Bruce Lee before he created his own signature, Jeet Kune Do. Tan first learned MuayThai in ChiangMai in 2004 before taking on further training in Phuket for the film which also features grappling scenes with Sabahan Cassandra J Poyong, a World Champion in Brazilian JiuJitsu and sparring scenes with Wai Hoong, Malaysia Book of Records holder and among others. It is worth mentioning that all the martial arts scenes in the film are played by Tan herself without any body or stunt double.

‘Barbarian Invasion’ has been selected for screening at prestigious international film festivals in Rotterdam, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Japan, Beijing and will next be screened in Poland. It won the Jury Grand Prix at the 2021 Shanghai International Film Festival and has also had its theatrical release in Taiwan this July.

First four days at the box office makes or breaks a film

Without the FINAS Mandatory Screening Scheme safety net for local films, the first four days at the box office will be the most crucial for ‘Barbarian Invasion’. The scheme was formed to accept and consider any local or joint venture films for compulsory screening at cinemas by distributors in the largest cinema for fourteen consecutive days. However, ‘Barbarian Invasion’ was disqualified from applying for the Mandatory Screening Scheme for theatrical release because it held a special screening in Kuala Lumpur last year, and did not meet Malaysia’s premiere condition under the scheme.

Tan, a Malaysia Multimedia University (MMU) film & animation honours graduate said, “It’s a pity that this film cannot be protected by the Mandatory Screening Scheme. So, it can only be released in a limited number of cinemas, only around 20 screens nationwide. This film project has not only survived lockdowns, as I myself have also survived the intensive training and mental anguish of balancing reality from film. I hope Malaysians will come and support the film,”.

A Da Huang Pictures representative and independent filmmaker, Jacky Yeap added, “Without the Mandatory Screening Scheme protection, the first four days of box office from 24 to 27 November 2022 are the most crucial, and if it does well at the box office, the film will stay on for longer. We invite all Malaysians to support the local film industry and come out back to the cinemas,”.

Film Synopsis

Working on his next film, Roger invites his long-time collaborator Moon to a writing retreat in a seaside town. While Moon had not been acting for 10 years, her recent divorce had made her decide to take on Roger’s offer, a lead role in a do-your-own stunts Southeast-Asian Bourne Identity.

Tickets go on sale from 17 November 2022 and can be purchased in advance from the participating cinema websites. For more details, visit Barbarian Invasion’s official website and Facebook.

Official Website: http://www.dahuangpictures.com/belengguthemovie

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbarianinvasionthemovie

About Da Huang Pictures Sdn Bhd

Da Huang Pictures was established in 2005 by Tan Chui Mui, Amir Muhammad, James Lee and Liew Seng Tat. Many award-winning films were produced by the company in a short span of six years. The aim of the company is to make films as the filmmakers want it to be. We also support film projects that are difficult to be made. The company had supported many young Malaysian filmmakers in making short films or first feature films. Website: http://www.dahuangpictures.com/

Appendix.