Abang Adik (Malay: 'Abang Adik'; Chinese: 富都青年, lit. 'Pudu Youngsters') is a 2023 neo-noir crime drama film written and directed by Jin Ong in his feature directorial debut. The film tells the story of a pair of undocumented orphans in Malaysia, Abang (Wu Kang-ren), a deaf person and his indignant younger brother Adik (Jack Tan) who struggle in a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden environment. Serene Lim, April Chan, Tan Kim Wang, and Bront Palarae appear in supporting roles.[1]
| Abang Adik | |
|---|---|
.png) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jin Ong |
| Written by | Jin Ong |
| Produced by | Angelica Lee Alex C. Lo |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Kartik Vijay |
| Edited by | Soo Mun Thye |
| Music by | Ryota Katayama |
Production companies | mm2 Entertainment Cinema Inutile |
| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 115 minutes |
| Countries | Malaysia Taiwan |
| Languages | Mandarin Cantonese Malay |
| Budget | $653,000 |
| Box office | $3.48 million |
Abang Adik received critical acclaim upon its release–particularly for its writing, story, and for the performance of Wu Kang-ren.[2][3] The movie was a surprise box office success in Taiwan, earning over $4 million during its initial theatrical run.[4] The film went on to receive multiple award nominations, including seven Golden Horse Awards nominations, with Wu Kang-ren winning Best Actor.[5] It was selected as the Malaysian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.[6]
Cast
edit- Wu Kang-ren as Chen Ah-bang (aka. Abang)
- Jack Tan as Zhang Wen-di (aka. Adik)
- Tan Kim Wang as Ms. Money
- Serene Lim as Li Jia En
- April Chan as Xiao-su
- Bront Palarae as a crime boss
Reception
editBox-office
editThe movie was a surprise box office success, especially in Taiwan, achieving a record NT$40 million ($1.29 million) run in its first ten days.[4][7] Its popularity led to increased screen times, becoming the first Malaysian movie to top box office charts in the country.[1] The film grossed over NT$98 million ($3.1 million) during its theatrical run in the Taiwanese box office, receiving 388 thousand admissions.[8][9] In Hong Kong, the film grossed HK$2.5 million ($319,800) in the first two weeks, breaking box office records as the highest grossing Malaysian movie in the region. In Malaysia, the film earned RM5.2 million ($1.12 million) during its first 24 days.[10]
Awards and accolades
editThe film went on to receive multiple award nominations, including seven Golden Horse Awards nominations, with Wu Kang-ren winning Best Actor.[5] Winning of Golden Mulberry at Far East Film Festival in 2023.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Webber, Andrea (Dec 7, 2023). "'Abang Adik' a smash hit in Taiwan". The Star. p. 12.
- ^ Marsh, James (4 December 2023). "Abang Adik movie review: Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren stars as a deaf-mute in acclaimed Malaysian drama directed by debutant Jin Ong". South China Morning Post.
- ^ Wong, Noel (17 December 2023). "'Abang Adik': M'sian-Taiwanese blockbuster is a must-see tearjerker". Free Malaysia Today.
- ^ a b Alhamzah, Tahir (11 December 2023). "'Abang Adik' breaks records in Taiwan, grossing NTD40 million in 10 Days". New Straits Times.
- ^ a b "'Abang Adik' wins Best Actor at 60th Golden Horse Awards". New Straits Times. 28 November 2023.
- ^ Leong, Adeline (2024-10-03). "Oscar Fever! 'Abang Adik' To Represent Malaysia At 97th Academy Awards | TRP". The Rakyat Post. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ Liu, Pei-yu (11 December 2023). "台灣票房破4000萬! 《富都青年》凱旋歸國 吳慷仁終吐心聲「從影以來轉捩點」" [Box office gross surpasses 40 million! Abang Adik jubliantly returns; Wu Kang-ren finally admits the movie as "his turning point"]. Formosa Television (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 December 2023.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Looi, Sylvia (10 January 2024). "'Abang Adik' makes history as first Malaysian box-office hit in Taiwan raking in RM13.5m". Malay Mail.
- ^ "全國電影票房2024年" (PDF). 每週票房公告 (15 January–21 January): 1–16. 21 January 2024.
- ^ "'Abang Adik' collects RM5.2 million in 24 days". New Straits Times. 10 January 2024.
- ^ "Golden Mulberry FEFF 2023".