Malaysian Powerhouse Astro Shaw Partners with Sympatico for Romantic Comedy "Mojo"
Astro Shaw, a Malaysian entertainment giant, has joined forces with Sympatico, a newly established production company by Min Lim (Double Vision) and Richard Johns (Argo Films), to commence production on their debut feature film, "Mojo."
This romantic comedy, currently filming in Malaysia's picturesque Perlis region, marks a significant milestone in cross-cultural collaboration between Southeast Asian and British filmmaking talents.
Indonesian star Adipati Dolken ("Shadow Strays") makes his Malaysian film debut as Adi, opposite local sensation Mimi Lana ("The Experts"). The film follows Adi's journey as a corporate climber who transforms a unique cow named Mojo into a viral sensation while pursuing aggressive rural farm acquisitions. His plans face unexpected resistance from a resilient farming community, including Ayu (Lana).
The production boasts a seasoned ensemble of Malaysian talent, including Cannes alumnus Wan Hanafi ("Apprentice"), multi-talent Namron ("One Two Jaga"), and former child star-turned-filmmaker Aziz M. Osman ("Fenomena," "XX Ray").
Min Lim of Sympatico helms the project, drawing inspiration from her previous success adapting popular British series "Liar" and "The Bridge" for Malaysian audiences. The creative team also includes rising star Honey Ahmad, Zahir Omar ("Fly by Night"), and award-winning writer Chi-Ren Choong.
Astro Shaw's involvement brings considerable distribution muscle, while SC Films International will handle global sales. Producers include Michelle Chang of Mocha Chai Laboratories and Richard Johns of Sympatico, known for his Oscar-nominated film "Shadow of the Vampire."
"This has been a long-awaited project," says director Min Lim, expressing excitement about Astro Shaw's participation. "We aim to create an authentic Malaysian story with global appeal, showcasing the storytelling capabilities of Southeast Asia."
Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, head of Astro Shaw, highlights the studio's longstanding partnership with Double Vision as a key factor in joining the production. "The film's exceptional script, talented cast, and creative synergy across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the U.K., not to mention its international potential, make us eager to see where this project leads," Arshad stated.
"Mojo" is scheduled for theatrical release in Malaysia in late 2025, followed by an international rollout. State support from Perlis has facilitated the production, aiming to promote the region's cinematic potential.