KUALA LUMPUR: Local football-themed movie Ola Bola made Malaysia proud when its theme song 'Arena Cahaya' by singer-songwriter Zee Avi won Best Theme Song at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards last night.
The US-based singer was clearly surprised when the announcement was made at the awards show, held at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan.
Also present was the film's director Chiu Keng Guan, seated beside her at the ceremony, aired live on Astro Xi Yue HD (Astro channel 300).
"I thought I was invited to give a performance of the song," said Zee in fluent Mandarin after receiving the award on stage.
"Thank you director Chiu for this incredible opportunity. This is an amazing project to be a part of because it (the movie) is about unity, diversity and harmony. This is to remind us all that we are the same. It's incredible to be a part of a project that is based on so much love," she added, before thanking a number of people, including her fiance who is currently in New York.
Arena Cahaya was composed by Zee with fellow Malaysian songwriter Rendra Zawawi. The latter was also present at the awards ceremony.
The inspiring tune also took home the Best Original Theme Song trophy at the 28th Malaysian Film Festival last September.
Arena Cahaya was up against China's 'It's Cold Without Your Love', from the movie Big Fish & Begonia; China's Sawadika (Detective Chinatown); Taiwan's Love Without Words (Lokah Laqi! Hang In There, Kids!); and China's (It's Not A Crime) It's Just What We Do (Soul Mate).