With the local film industry seeing an improvement every year, an audience might wonder if any of our films stand the chance to make it to the Western market.
For the record, local horror flick Pulau found its fame in Asian market, and it performed well in the Cambodian entertainment industry. This year, Malaysian action flick like Polis Evo 3 (PE3) managed to gross more than RM50 million in middle of June, a month after its release in Malaysian theatres. The amount marks a significant milestone in the local film industry, as well as the movie series as PE3 overperformed its previous installments.
Another local film, Walid, which highlights the Malaysian Silat and social issues, particularly human trafficking is headed to Malaysian cinemas this September. But here’s something surprising about Walid.
The movie has entered the US market in New York and Los Angeles before it’s even released in Malaysia. Walid was released in New York on July 28, and will be released in Los Angeles on August 11. Cinemagoers in Malaysia will get to watch the film on September 14, about 1 month after its release in the US market, as revealed by Megat Shahrizal, the lead actor via his Instagram post.
Megat also hinted what audience can expect to see in Walid, aside from the action and human trafficking issues.
“It will entertain the audience and Walid has a serious message that the film intends to deliver as well.”
An early review by UPI Entertainment hints that the fight scenes are as good as John Wick movie series. Fans of the Hollywood action flick will definitely agree that John Wick Chapter 4, released earlier this year is 1 of the best films and sequels of 2023. If an early review of Walid mentions John Wick as its competitor, this might trigger a fan boy of the action genre to check Walid out.
You can watch the trailer for Walid below.
To all movie enthusiasts out there, what do you think of a local film entering the US market? Do you think we will finally have our version of John Wick?
Also read: Evil Dead Rise is NOT for Kids! Child in KL Screams & Cries in Theater, Entire Family Had to Leave
