23/04/2025

LYFE WEDNESDAY | APR 23, 2025

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White Snake slithers in Malaysia o Cantonese opera movie box office to hit local cinemas, showcasing cultural charm

AFTER nearly two decades in the entertainment industry, Syafie Naswip, whose acting talent was first discovered in the film Mukhsin , continues to shine, with his name now considered on par with senior actors. Despite his success and reputation for taking on serious roles, Syafie remains humble. Known for his down-to-earth attitude, he is open to working with new and emerging production teams. For the 33-year-old actor, the most important aspect of any work – be it a film, drama or telemovie – is its ability to offer something different and to challenge him as an actor, steering away from stereotypes. He also dreams of contributing to the growth of Malaysia’s, particularly Sabah’s, film industry. At the premiere of horror film Mantera , he said while Sabah’s film industry is on the rise, limitations in platform access and audience reach in Peninsular Malaysia have somewhat restricted their potential. “Through my involvement in this film ( Mantera ), I hope to help create space and draw more attention to the talents and productions coming out of Sabah,” Syafie said. Directed by Sabah filmmaker Chester Pang, Mantera marked a new experience for Syafie. The actor, who is married to actress Nur Afiqah Ishak, said working on the film gave him insight into the unique directing approaches, scripting and production style of the Sabah creative scene. Playing Inspector Zafri in Mantera , the actor said the openness and sincerity of the production team in welcoming ideas, regardless of status, as well as their team spirit, were among the reasons he agreed to be a part of the movie. “When I was first offered the role, the script was still in its early stages. I met the director at a local eatery and we had a casual discussion. Although the budget was tight, their enthusiasm was extraordinary and I felt very comfortable working in that environment,” he said, adding that the experience also opened his eyes to Sabah’s cultural beliefs, particularly those that formed the supernatural backdrop of the film. Pang said Mantera , set to hit cinemas nationwide this Thursday, is a murder investigation film with its plot deeply rooted in the traditional beliefs of the Bobolian, the ritual specialists of the Dusun ethnic group in Sabah, whose practices are becoming increasingly rare. Pang added that the film is not only packed with horror scenes but also showcases authentic rituals performed by the Bobolian, as well as the concept of evil spirits in everyday life. “Not many people are aware of the traditional practices of the Bobolian, who serve as cultural guardians and spiritual intermediaries between the human world and kinohiringan (realm of deities). “I felt the story of the Bobolian or Dusun shamans was compelling and deserved to be brought to the big screen,” Pang said. The film cast also includes Namron as Sergeant Ramli and several Sabah-born talents including Jovenia Jim (as Tana), Wedylin Batala (as Damiane) and Larry Noh (as Aaron). Local movie to spotlight Sabah Syafie is open to working with new and emerging production teams. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK @SYAFIENASWIPFANPAGE

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HINA’S highest-grossing domestically produced opera film White Snake, which premiered in Malaysia in conjunction with the

visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia last week, will play in selected cinemas across Malaysia beginning this Thursday. The film showcases the unique charm of traditional Cantonese opera to Malaysian audiences, further promoting cultural exchange between Malaysia and China and serving as a cultural bridge that strengthens the enduring friendship between the two nations. White Snake was brought to Malaysia by Juxta Films and premiered last week at Dadi Cinema Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The film is a joint production of Zhujiang Film Group, Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre and Foshan Cultural Tourism Co Ltd. It was filmed by Zhuying Film and Television Production Co Ltd, directed by Zhang Xianfeng and written by Mo Fei. The film stars actors Zeng Xiaomin and Wen Ruqing, with co-starring roles by Wang Yanfei, Zhu Hongxing and others. Since its release in China in 2021, the film has garnered widespread acclaim and won numerous awards and nominations, including Outstanding Feature Film at the 19th China Huabiao Film Awards, nomination for Best Chinese Opera Film at the 32nd China Golden Rooster Awards, Outstanding Work Award at the 12th Guangdong Provincial Spiritual Civilisation Construction “Five Ones Project” and the highest-rated Chinese-language film at the 2021 Douban Film Annual Awards, among others. White Snake is based on The Legend of the White Snake , one of China’s four great love folktales – it is the love story of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian. The film blends the traditional Cantonese opera of singing, reciting, acting and acrobatics with modern cinematic storytelling, creating a captivating fusion of visual spectacle and emotional depth. Director Zhang collaborated with special effects teams from Australia and New Zealand, alongside a top CG animation production company from Shenzhen, China, to craft breathtaking visual effects. Unlike Hollywood-style special effects, the film emphasises classical Chinese aesthetics, focusing on the interplay of reality and illusion, which further enhances the poetic ambience of the opera and Eastern aesthetics. This premiere aims to promote the rich heritage of traditional Chinese culture and strengthen the cultural exchange as well as cooperation between Malaysia and China. The release of White Snake is not just a revival of traditional culture but also a significant contribution to cultural exchange and heritage. Through this film, Malaysian audiences are able to experience the unique charm of Cantonese opera, marking a new chapter in the cultural exchange between China and Malaysia. Meanwhile, representatives from Juxta Films and Zhujiang Film Production Co Ltd paid a visit to the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) to explore opportunities for deepening cultural exchange between Malaysia and China. The meeting focused on fostering

White Snake has partnered with Guangdong Lingnantong to release a limited

edition co-branded national all-in-one commemorative card.

bilateral cooperation in the creative industry and promoting greater mutual understanding through shared cultural initiatives. Finas CEO Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib commended White Snake for its innovative integration of high-end visual treatments with traditional storytelling. He highlighted the film’s role in rejuvenating cultural heritage, noting its success in capturing the interest of younger audiences while preserving the essence of Cantonese opera. White Snake has also partnered with Guangdong Lingnantong Co Ltd to launch a limited-edition co-branded commemorative & “national all-in-one” travel card. The Lingnan Pass, already accepted in over 330 cities across China, as well as in Hong Kong and Macau, supports convenient payments for public transportation including buses and subways. With the recent implementation of mutual visa exemption between Malaysia and China, the card offers an easy and efficient “one-card travel” solution for Malaysian tourists visiting China.

White Snake will play in selected cinemas across Malaysia beginning April 24.