Malaysian filmmaker Chiu Keng Guan makes China debut with "On Your Mark"

14 Jun – Malaysian director Chiu Keng Guan, most known for his box office hit "Ola Bola", is making his directorial debut in China with the upcoming new movie, "On Your Mark".

Produced by Jiangsu Maoyan Culture Media, Wuxi Cangsheng Film, Tianjin Maoyan Weiying Culture Media, Jiangsu Hao Di Cultural Development, Sports Culture Development, Center of the State General Administration of Sports (China Sports Museum), and Astro Shaw as the sole producer from Malaysia, the new movie will be another sports-themed feature from Chiu, and will be released in China beginning 18 June under the title, "Qi Pao".

Meanwhile, it will also be using the title "The Great Dad" for its international release.

Said Chiu, "As a filmmaker from Malaysia, I was very excited to be given the opportunity and confidence to present my work to film fans and audiences in China. Through this project, I was also able to collaborate and exchange ideas with many creative talents. I hope the movie will be able to warm the hearts of the audience as well as raising Malaysia's name on the world stage."

Chiu also added that he cannot wait for the movie to be shown in Malaysia, especially to those who have always been supportive of his movies.

"On Your Mark" stars a line-up of great Chinese actors including Wang Yanhui, Marco Zhang, Gong Beibi, and Feng Wenjuan. It tells the story of Xiao Erdong, a young man whose dream of becoming a marathon runner like his mother is being invalidated by his father, who's worried that his son will face the same fate as his wife.

Chiu is known for having directed many award-winning and box office movies, including "Great Day", which made RM6.5 million when it was released in 2011, and "The Journey", that made RM17 million at the box office - making it the first Chinese-language Malaysian film to ever achieve such a feat.

On the other hand, his 2016 movie, "Ola Bola" became the first Malaysian movie to enter the Golden Horse Film Festival, aside from being part of many international festivals including the 18th Udine Far East Film Festival and the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival.

(Photo Source: Cinema Online, IMDb, Far East Films)