KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian feature film Fly By Night has been getting a lot of buzz at international film festivals, ahead of its screening here next month.
Helmed by Zahir Omar, the feature film which also marks his directorial debut was screened at the New York Asian Film Festival 2019 recently after making its U.S. premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2019.
The thriller is set for screening here on April 11.
“As ambitious local filmmakers and producers, we are thrilled at the kind of recognition this Malaysian film is receiving. These recognitions are a stepping stone for us to keep improving and bring local films to an international arena.
“We are honoured to be representing the Malaysian film industry globally and be able to carry the Malaysian flag strong and proud,” said Planet Films’ executive producer Perin Petrus in a statement.
The film has also made its debut at the prestigious 23rd Busan International Film Festival 2018 last October, having been selected as one of six feature film projects to receive the Post Production Fund from Asian Cinema Fund (ACF).
Last December, Fly By Night also received recognition in Macau when it was selected to be featured at the 3rd edition of the International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM) in the new competitive section for Chinese language films and was also screened at the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival.
Fly By Night which stars Bront Palarae, Singaporean actor Sunny Pang, Fabian Loo and newcomer Jack Tan, tells the tale about a group of taxi drivers and small-time extortionists who are forced to escalate their criminal activities to pay off debts.
Zahir, former assistant director to the late Yasmin Ahmad, said: “The movie draws inspiration on the notion of ‘Nothing is what it seems’. It gives a fresh outlook on the possible double lives of the people we meet, specifically cab drivers whom we entrust in taking us from one point to another without really knowing who they truly are.”