News

Inspiration and Creative Process

In the dimly lit corners of academia, where theories and musings intertwine, the seeds of “Shadowplay” found fertile ground. It all began with an unfinished theory paper—an exploration of David Lynch's enigmatic universe—that the filmmaker penned during their college days. But this wasn't destined to remain a mere academic exercise. No, it sprouted tendrils of imagination, reaching beyond the ivory towers.

The twist came when the filmmaker dared to transplant this fan project into the tropical soil of Malaysia. The supernatural elements that had captivated them in Lynch's work resonated with the rich tapestry of Malay mythology. Suddenly, “Twin Peaks” met the equatorial heat, and the collision birthed something altogether new—a cinematic hybrid.

And then, like a serendipitous revelation, “Mulholland Drive” flickered across their screen. Lynch's masterpiece ignited a creative wildfire within the filmmaker. They seized their treatment—an homage to...

Investment

Media group Vivendi has acquired a stake in France and U.K. headquartered Pernel Media, the independent production company behind “Legends of the Pharaohs,” “The Real War of Thrones,” “Wheeler Dealers France,” “Attila’s Forbidden Tomb” and “Ancient Superstructures.

Pernel will remain an autonomous entity led by Samuel Kissous and will keep expanding the range of broadcast partners and platforms it is working with in France and internationally. The company goal aims to accelerate its international business, consolidate factual output with premium global series, and firm up its scripted projects.

As part of the financing restructure, previous shareholders Alliance Entreprendre and Odyssee Venture are exiting the company.

In July, Pernel hired former head of Arte Distribution Celine Payot Lehmann as international executive producer.

Streaming

HBO Max will stream original drama series “Kamikaze” on Nov. 14 in 46 countries and territories where the streamer is available across Europe, the U.S. and Latin America.

108 Media, a Singapore-based content distribution and development company with offices in Toronto, Japan and Europe, has picked up international sales rights to docuseries “Fearless: Rise of the Johor Southern Tigers.” The series spotlights Johor Darul Ta’zim Fc (Jdt), a soccer team, whose victories have helped build a community, a society, a state and a nation.

“Fearless” is co-directed by Leon Tan (producer of “War of the Worlds: Goliath”) and Tony Pietra Arjuna. It is produced by Kuala Lumpur-based Supernova Media, and comprises of 5 x 22-minute episodes, with English language narration and subtitles.

Filmed during the 2019-20 season, “Fearless” tracks the personalities of the Jdt team, their superfans known as the “Boys of Straits,” boardroom politics, lifts the lid on the team’s new Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, and examines the team’s progressive youth academy program.

“Some ridiculed our dreams but this exclusive, behind the scenes series shows what...

Anton Shaw (Tony Eusoff) is an unlicensed private detective working under tutelage of his boss Dan Humsey (Megat Sharizal) who chides him for making careless decisions — mainly trusting people and things too much in their profession. So he’s still not happy when Anton accepts an astoundingly lucrative job to find missing college student Lamya Sheridan (Juria Hartmans) by her estranged wealthy foreign mother. The case is further complicated by several factors: the fact she seemed to have no real friends or close connections; the fact that people who did have some connection to her life didn’t seem to have very good ones; and worst of all the recurring visions of the nightmarish (perhaps literally so), vaguely demonic “Hidden Ones” including one known only as The Gaunt Man (Radhi Khalid). Then there’s ex-cop turned loner Shotgun Sheldon (Jay Sheldon), who may or may not be involved in the...