We love to watch Western films.
That explains why Western films are so successful in the box office. However, we do have this feeling of pride when our country is mentioned in such cinematic experiences.
Here are 5 times Malaysia was portrayed in western films.
1. Turtle Beach (1992)
Released in 1992, this film explores a photojournalist named Judith (Greta Scacchi), who leaves home to cover the story of the Vietnamese boat refugee crisis. She befriends Minou, who married a diplomat and together they try to bring awareness to the terrible conditions faced by the refugees.
The film was set in Malaysia in two eras: in 1969, and the early 1980s. However, the portrayal caused controversy with the Malaysian government as it shows a scene of Malays executing refugees as they arrive at the beach. It also portrayed the country in upheaval and in need of help.
2. Crazy Rich Asians
Who doesn’t remember this rom-com with a full Asian cast, particularly Henry Golding who is part Malaysian!
While the film is set in Singapore, most of the scenes were shot in Malaysia. Among the location’s shots were Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and Penang. Carcossa Sri Negara, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Penang, and KLIA 2 were used to film scenes.
3. Venom
Malaysia has a small scene at the beginning of Venom, when the LIFE spacecraft crashed in Sarawak. Scenes were also filmed at Sibu Airport (though the set was based on the airport itself). Malay was also spoken by an emergency worker while rescuing the crashed craft.
4. Fair Game
Starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, the film’s opening scene was shot in various places in Kuala Lumpur .
5. Return To Paradise
Three friends, Lewis (Joaquin Phoenix), Sheriff (Vince Vaughn) and Tony (David Conrad) vacationed in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony leaves to pursue careers in New York while Lewis stays to take care of the Orang utans. They then discover that from their past actions, Lewis was arrested for drug trafficking and will hang. Sheriff and Tony are faced with a difficult decision.
Scenes were filmed in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
Do you know of any other movies that were filmed in Malaysia? Let us know in the comment section below!
Header Image : IMDB | BBC | C.NET
