PENANG’S position as a premier international filming destination received a significant boost with the arrival of renowned Hong Kong actors, Anthony Wong Chau-sang and Edison Chen, for the shooting of the upcoming Chinese New Year film, Temple of Wishes.
The duo, whose on-screen chemistry left a lasting impression on moviegoers in the hit film Initial D, have reunited in the state to film their latest project.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai warmly welcomed the production team and cast during the launch ceremony on Sept 17.
“This is an excellent opportunity to harness the power of the camera to put Penang on the map.
“It demonstrates how the creative economy and tourism promotion complement each other, creating a positive cycle of mutual reinforcement,” Wong said in his speech.
He also highlighted that the state government maintains an open and friendly approach, offering administrative cooperation and support within its capacity to ensure a conducive environment for local and international production teams.
Wong further noted that Penang offers a compelling mix of physical infrastructure (“hardware”) and cultural advantages (“soft power”) for film crews.
On the hardware side, the state boasts a diverse array of filming locations, including tropical rainforests, beaches, heritage sites, places of worship, Straits Chinese and British colonial architecture, modern malls, and hotels, all situated within close geographical proximity to enable efficient shooting schedules. Furthermore, Penang’s direct international flight network facilitates the seamless transport of talent, heavy production equipment, and materials.
On the soft power front, the state’s strong multilingual capabilities provide a distinct edge, with widespread English proficiency supporting Western crews, alongside strong fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, and Malay to assist Eastern production teams.
Wong, a self-proclaimed movie enthusiast, added that he looks forward to catching Temple of Wishes in cinemas upon its official release to support the production team.
Story by Sarbeyshwaran Rajalingam
Pix courtesy of Petace Office