KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) — An Egyptian movie, Mr VIP, partly shot in Malaysia, is set to put the country in the spotlight across the Arab world when it opens in cinemas in most Arab League countries later this year.
The release would also showcase Malaysia to audiences across the region, home to about 492 million people, while boosting its profile as an attractive destination for Arab film productions.
Infinity Films Sdn Bhd executive producer Abdulrahman Suud said Mr VIP was filmed in Malaysia over nine days recently, and is scheduled to premiere in Egypt by the end of the year before being released in cinemas across most Arab League countries.
“Most of the filming in Malaysia, around 45 per cent took place in the Klang Valley, with several scenes shot in Genting Highlands.
“Malaysians were polite and respectful throughout the filming. The crew felt safe and at home while they were in the country,” he told Bernama in an interview.
The family comedy stars leading Egyptian actor Karim Abdel Aziz, actress Yasmine Sabri and actor-comedian Mostafa Khater, and is directed by Moataaz El Tony.
Mr VIP is a joint production by Malaysia’s Infinity Films Sdn Bhd and Egypt’s Synergy Plus.
Suud said the collaboration could pave the way for more Egyptian production companies to choose Malaysia as a filming location in the future.
“The Egyptian entertainment industry is vast and is often regarded as the Hollywood of the Arab world,” said the Egypt-born former actor-turned-businessman, who has made Malaysia his home for the past 30 years.
He added that discussions are also underway to bring Malaysian films to Egypt and Egyptian entertainment products to Malaysia, further deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges through films and entertainment.
— BERNAMA