#Showbiz: Astro Shaw brings local films from Astro First to cinemas

KUALA LUMPUR: In an effort to revive the film industry, Astro Shaw is bringing new local films to the big screen for fans to enjoy as they return for the cinematic experience.

Three films which premiered on Astro First during the Movement Control Order (MCO), will make their debut in cinemas, giving Malaysians an opportunity to catch them again.

Syif Malam Raya will debut in cinemas on July 30, followed by Ada Apa Dengan Dosa on Sept 10, and Town Mall on Oct 1.

All three films have charted success on Astro First. For instance, Syif Malam Raya garnered RM3 million in 10 days.

Astro Shaw vice president and Nusantara head Raja Jastina Raja Arshad said: "Astro Shaw lauds the reopening of cinemas as a boost for the local film industry following the Covid-19 pandemic. These films vary in genres, and raked in some of the highest collections on Astro First. We are confident more Malaysians will enjoy the comedic horror Syif Malam Raya, heart-wrenching Ada Apa Dengan Dosa and horror inspired by true stories Town Mall on the big screen."

National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chairman Zakaria Abdul Hamid said that they welcomed Astro's efforts to revive the film industry.

"It's our responsibility to help local artistes and cinema operators affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This move by Astro will motivate film producers to create more high quality films in the age of new normals."

Syif Malam Raya stars comedians Atu, Sharif and Syaiful Doli of Zero, Ropie, Saiful Apek, Azlee Jaafar, Reen Rahim, Emelda Rosmila, Nadia Brian and Sheila Mambo.

It is the story of hearse drivers Zaid and Hisyam who are assigned to deliver a body to Ipoh on the night of Aidilfitri and give Mira and Yoh a lift home.

Ada Apa Dengan Dosa stars Ashraf Muslim, Wanna Ali, Fasha Sandha and Adam Corrie, and tells the story of 19-year-old Aurora who is born out of wedlock and raised in Europe by a non-Muslim family. Khaliq takes her back to Malaysia to find her real parents.

Town Mall stars Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof, Reen, Intan Ladyana, Adam Shahz, Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan and Faradhiya.

It is about a construction site which was abandoned 10 years ago due to paranormal occurrences, and strange incidents begin to recur when a developer starts building a shopping mall there.