Abang Adik Set to Make History – Malaysia’s Oscar Bid at the 97th Academy Awards 2025

By The Malketeer

This Film Has Already Clinched 19 International Awards!

In a monumental moment for Malaysian cinema, Abang Adik has been selected to represent Malaysia at the 97th Academy Awards next year, under the International Feature Film section.

Directed by Jin Ong in his stunning debut, this film has already created ripples across the global stage, cementing Malaysia’s growing stature in the world of cinema.

Abang Adik tells the story of Abang, who is deaf and mute and Adik, who are two orphans living without documents in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

Their quest to obtain citizenship is fraught with indomitable challenges.

From Local Sensation to Global Phenomenon

The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) announced that Abang Adik was selected after rigorous evaluations by an expert panel.

The film, produced by More Entertainments Sdn Bhd, checks all the boxes for Oscar consideration.

But this isn’t just another nomination—it’s a symbol of Malaysia’s ability to shine on the world stage, as this film has already clinched 19 international awards.

Its box office success speaks volumes, with earnings reaching RM14.6 million in Taiwan, RM1.55 million in Hong Kong, and RM2.2 million in China as of September 2024.

The domestic release also raked in an impressive RM5.7 million.

An Impressive 19 Awards and Counting

The list of accolades for Abang Adik is nothing short of extraordinary.

At the Asia New York Film Festival, the film was crowned Best Film during the 22nd Uncaged Competition.

It also captured the prestigious Golden Mulberry, Black Dragon Critics’ Award, and White Mulberry Award for Best Feature Film at Italy’s 25th Far East Film Festival.

The film’s success extends to Switzerland’s 37th Fribourg International Film Festival and the First Film Festival in China.

A Triumph of Storytelling

What makes Abang Adik so captivating?

It’s the compelling storytelling and captivating performances.

Featuring standout performances by Malaysian actor Jack Tan and Taiwan’s Kang Ren Wu, the film tells a compelling story of two undocumented orphan brothers and their struggles that resonates far beyond borders.

Its dual success both critically and commercially is a testament to its universal appeal.

Locally, the film took home two major awards at the Malaysia Golden Global Awards 2024, with Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor trophies.

Malaysia at the Oscars: A New Chapter

With Abang Adik gearing up for the 97th Oscars, hopes are high that Malaysia will leave a lasting mark on Hollywood.

As the country continues to build its reputation for high-caliber films, the future looks promising for Malaysian filmmakers and actors alike.

This Oscar bid isn’t just a nomination—it’s a breakthrough moment for the nation, signalling that Malaysian films can captivate both hearts and minds on the world’s biggest stage.

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