KUALA LUMPUR: Mischievous and adventurous twins Upin and Ipin are set to “conquer” China soon.
Their film Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal is now headed there, after being a hit with Malaysian moviegoers since March.
Not only will Chinese moviegoers get to enjoy the twins’ blockbuster, but also their popular animated series.
And a proposed theme park in a major Chinese city is also in the pipeline.
Their producer Les’ Copaque Production has just signed a team-up with Cultural Investment Holding of China for the film to penetrate the Chinese market.
Les’ Copaque managing director Burhanuddin Md Radzi said their memorandum of understanding was “a milestone and important chapter” in Malaysian animation history.
“It will give Malaysian animators a major boost for the industry’s growth.
“China is the biggest market, and entering it is a great achievement for us,” he said at the signing ceremony between his company and Cultural Investment Holding, held at Le Meridien Hotel, KL Sentral, Brickfields today.
Burhanuddin signed on behalf of his company while Cultural Investment Holding’s general manager Xu Xunbing signed on behalf of the Chinese company.
The ceremony was witnessed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo. Also present was National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac.
Burhanuddin said: “China Investment Holding will promote Upin and Ipin to viewers this June or July in 10,000 cinemas nationwide.
“Local talents will dub it in Mandarin.
“In the years to come, we plan to boost collaborations with Chinese companies to bring new animated films to the country.
“China sees Upin and Ipin as positive role models for children.
“They are entertaining and adorable, promote family values, and have lots of lessons for fans.
“In addition, our strategic partner believes that we have world class animation and good music enjoyed across boundaries.”
Gobind said partnerships between Malaysian and overseas film companies were the key for local films to go international.
“It’s time for our productions to reach a wider audience — the world stage.
“We’ve got many good talents, and they have done us proud internationally.
“Now is the time for more of them to shine.”
Hans said Finas planned to have leading Malaysian animated films dubbed in English and Chinese for foreign markets.
“It’s the key to getting our best home grown gems in animation to reach a global and regional audience.”
Keris Siamang Tunggal which costs RM20 million to make is the most expensive Malaysian film to date.
It has chalked up RM25 million in ticket sales in just three weeks since it opened in cinemas on March 21.
More than two million viewers watched it in Malaysia.
The film will enter the Vietnamese market on April 26 and screened in Indonesia on May 9.
Keris Siamang Tunggal sees the pre-teen heroes discover a magical kris in their friend Tok Dalang Isnin Khamis' store room.
It transports them and their friends Mei Mei, Jarjit, Ehsan, Fizi, Mail and Susanti into the kingdom of Inderaloka, which is ruled by the evil wizard Raja Bersiong.
There, they help the deposed king, Jenin, regain his throne, and they meet characters from folklore including Nakhoda Ragam and the twins Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih.