#577. FILM: On KRU-ise control
Norman (standing, third from right) Edry (far right) and Yusry (fourth from right) with the cast and production team of Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, Actor Stephen Rahman Hughes is in the foreground (far right).
KRU Studios recently celebrated its 17th anniversary with a doa selamat at Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan in Jalan Duta recently with artistes, business partners, clients, media representatives and staff.It was held to mark the studio’s achievements over the years which saw the strengthening of the KRU brand in both local and international markets through feature films, television programmes, music products and the publication of comics and novels.KRU Studios has just completed its latest local feature film entitled Jin Notti and is in the midst of postproduction works for films My Spy and Magika.
In addition, its maiden Hollywood venture Deadline (co-produced by KRU Studios), featuring Hollywood actress Brittany Murphy (Sin City, Just Married) and Thora Birch (American Beauty), has successfully secured distribution in more than 30 countries.
The psychological thriller revolves around a screenwriter who moves into an abandoned house to write a movie screenplay only to find herself treading a fine line between what’s real and imagined.
Meanwhile, Bio-Nik, its maiden TV series over 8TV, has garnered a commendable 3.3 million viewers after only just three episodes.
Its achievements in the music arena are also commendable, with KRU Studios chalking among the highest collections to date in digital format for local music content.
Under the label is the all-girl Swedish rock group Ladylike. Its debut album, in collaboration with Universal Music, is released in Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. The studio’s global digital distribution of its music content is managed by Fox Mobile.
KRU Studios’ foray into the field of print publication has also been rewarding, with its very own comic series, Cicakman, which has sold more than 100,000 copies in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.
Formed by the brothers Norman, Edry and Yusry, KRU Studios is scheduled to relocate to its new site in Cyberjaya in October after 17 years in the Klang Valley.
With the commencement of operations at its new premises, KRU Studios is wellpositioned to deliver worldclass services in areas related to the production of motion pictures, TV programmes, TV commercials, music and other audio productions.
At the recent event, KRU Studios also introduced the cast of its upcoming feature film Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa.
It features both local and international actors and actresses including Stephen Rahman Hughes, Jing Lu, Gavin Stenhouse, Henrik Norman, Wan Hanafi Su, Khir Rahman, Datuk Rahim Razali, Ummi Nazeera, Nell Ng, Craig Fong, Keith Chong, Jehan Miskin, Cat Farish, Deborah Henry, Ravi Sunderlingam, Kuswadinata, Mano Maniam, Cico, Vanida Imran and Faiz Aizuddin Azmi.
Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa is directed by Yusry Abdul Halim and commenced production earlier this month.
This epic adventure, which has the support of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is currently the most ambitious production directed by Yusry to-date.
Targeted for international release next year with 70 per cent of the dialogue in English, it is set during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian and China’s Han Dynasty.
The RM8 million production will follow the charecter Merong Mahawangsa as he escorts a Roman prince on his journey to China for his Chinese bride.
KRU Studios president and group CEO Norman said he values the support extended by the Malaysian government, corporates, media and especially its clients, who have all played an integral role in the growth of KRU Studios.
“We also hope that this collaboration and support continues to strengthen, enabling Malaysia to realise its vision of being a major global provider of media and entertainment content,” he said.
Source : The New Straits Times [26/06/09]
