PHILIPPINES, 13 September 2019 – Film adaptation of critically-acclaimed novel, The Garden of Evening Mists (TGOEM), will make its world premiere at the 24^th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) under the ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ category, this October 2019. TGOEM has also been selected as the ‘Closing Film’ at the 56^th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival in November 2019. TGOEM is presented by Astro Shaw and HBO Asia with support from the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) in association with CJ Entertainment.

An adaption of the novel which was shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize, and also won the 2013 Man Asian Literary Prize and the 2013 Walter Scott Prize, the feature film adaptation has seen an international production team from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Australia and UK working to bring together this celebrated novel to the silver screen.

This global production is helmed by award-winning Taiwanese director Tom Shu-Yu Lin and adapted by Scottish BAFTA-winning screenwriter Richard Smith. It boasts a star-studded international cast including Sinje Lee (The Eye), Hiroshi Abe (After the Storm), Sylvia Chang (Love Education), David Oakes (Cold Skin), Julian Sands (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and John Hannah (The Mummy).

The film tells the story of Teoh Yun Ling (played by Sinje Lee) who, embittered from atrocities of World War II in Malaya, seeks solace in the rolling hills of Cameron Highlands. There, in her quest to build a garden in homage of her late sister, she embarks on a forbidden love affair with the mysterious gardener, Nakamura Aritomo (played by Hiroshi Abe).

Agnes Rozario, Director of Content, Astro said “Our belief in Malaysian story telling led us to initiate the production of this film adapted from Penang-born author Tan Twan Eng’s wonderful book. We feel validated and so proud to be recognised by our peers with the film’s global premiere at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival and to close for the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival.”

Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia said, “HBO Asia is thrilled that the feature film we partnered with Astro Shaw on, THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS, will screen at both the Busan International Film Festival and the Golden Horse Film Festival. HBO Asia is not only committed to bringing quality and award-winning Asian Original series but feature films to our audiences across 23 territories in Asia and beyond.”

Dato’ Hans Isaac, Chairman of National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) said, “We are immensely delighted that The Garden of Evening Mists will be screened during the Busan International Film Festival and Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival. Over two thirds of the casts and crew of TGOEM comprised of Malaysians. This signifies our potentials and capabilities in producing an International Film and we pride Astro Shaw for its commitment to nurture local talents for international exposure. Thus, we are excited to have a film which FINAS has supported to be showcased to the world”.

The Garden of Evening Mists is slated to debut in Malaysian cinemas starting January 2020.

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About Astro Shaw

Astro Shaw is a Malaysian film production company which produces movies for the local and regional market. Since its establishment in 1996, Astro Shaw has produced more than 80 films in the Malay,  Chinese and Tamil languages. Some of Astro Shaw’s notable titles are:

• Abang Long Fadil 2 (2017) – First collaboration between Astro Shaw & Skop Productions and highest box office in Malaysia of RM18 million.
• Tombiruo : Penunggu Rimba (2017) – Second highest box office collection in 2017 with RM8 million.
• OlaBola (2016) – Box office collection of RM16.56 million
• Polis Evo (2015) – Highest box office in 2015 with RM17.74 million
• Terbaik Dari Langit (2014) – Best Film & Best Actor, ASEAN International Film Festival And Awards (AIFFA)
• The Journey (2014) – Highest box office of Malaysia in 2014. Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Non-Malay Film, 27th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM27)
• Husin, Mon dan Jin Pakai Toncit (2013) – Highest box office collection in 2013
• Maindhan (2014) – The highest grossing Malaysian Tamil Movie of all time
• Penanggal (2013) – Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Special Makeup Effect, Best Costume, Best Production Manager, 26th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM26)
• Berlari Ke Langit (Running To The Sky) (2004) – Best Cinematography, 49th Asia Pacific Film Festival
• Nafas Cinta (Breath of Love) (1999)– Astro Shaw’s debut film

Please see www.astroshaw.com.my for more information on Astro Shaw.

About HBO ASIA

Wholly owned by HBO (a subsidiary of WarnerMedia), Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Lionsgate and DreamWorks Animation. HBO is available across 23 territories across Asia. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. HBO Asia broadcasts five 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits and Cinemax; an Asian movie channel, Red by HBO; internet streaming platform, HBO GO; subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, HBO On Demand; and a branded SVOD service in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang). HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

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