Abang Adik

2023 Malaysian film
  • Wu Kang-ren
  • Jack Tan
CinematographyKartik VijayEdited bySoo Mun ThyeMusic byRyota Katayama
Production
company
mm2 Entertainment
Distributed by
  • Applause (Taiwan)
Release date
  • 1 December 2023 (2023-12-01) (Taiwan)
Running time
115 minutesCountryMalaysiaLanguagesChinese
Cantonese
MalayBudget$653,000Box office$3.48 million

Abang Adik (Malay: 'Abang Adik'; Chinese: 富都青年, lit. 'Pudu Youngsters') is a 2023 Malaysian neo-noir drama film written and directed by Jin Ong in his directorial debut. The film tells the story of a pair of undocumented orphans in Malaysia, Abang (Wu Kang-ren), a deaf mute person and his indignified younger brother Adik (Jack Tan) who struggle in a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden environment. Serene Lim, April Chan, Tan Kim Wang, and Bront Palarae appear in supporting roles.[1]

Abang Adik received critical acclaim upon its release–particularly for its writing, story, and for the performance of Wu Kang-ren.[2][3] The movie was a surprise box office success in Taiwan, earning over $4 million during its initial theatrical run.[4] The film went on to receive multiple award nominations, including seven Golden Horse Awards nominations, with Wu Kang-ren winning Best Actor.[5]

Cast

  • Wu Kang-ren as Chen Ah-bang (aka. Abang)
  • Jack Tan as Zhang Wen-di (aka. Adik)
  • Tan Kim Wang as Ms. Money
  • Serene Lim as Li Jia En
  • April Chan as Xiao-su
  • Bront Palarae as a crime boss

Reception

Box-office

The movie was a surprise box office success, especially in Taiwan, achieving a record NT$40 million ($1.29 million) run in its first ten days.[4][6] Its popularity led to increased screen times, becoming the first Malaysian movie to top box office charts in the country.[1] The film grossed over NT$98 million ($3.1 million) during its theatrical run in the Taiwanese box office, receiving 388 thousand admissions.[7][8] In Hong Kong, the film grossed HK$2.5 million ($319,800) in the first two weeks, breaking box office records as the highest grossing Malaysian movie in the region. In Malaysia, the film earned RM5.2 million ($1.12 million) during its first 24 days.[9]

Awards and accolades

The film went on to receive multiple award nominations, including seven Golden Horse Awards nominations, with Wu Kang-ren winning Best Actor.[5] Winning of Golden Mulberry at Far East Film Festival in 2023.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Webber, Andrea (Dec 7, 2023). "'Abang Adik' a smash hit in Taiwan". The Star. p. 12.
  2. ^ Marsh, James (4 December 2023). "Abang Adik movie review: Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren stars as a deaf-mute in acclaimed Malaysian drama directed by debutant Jin Ong". South China Morning Post.
  3. ^ Wong, Noel (17 December 2023). "'Abang Adik': M'sian-Taiwanese blockbuster is a must-see tearjerker". Free Malaysia Today.
  4. ^ a b Alhamzah, Tahir (11 December 2023). "'Abang Adik' breaks records in Taiwan, grossing NTD40 million in 10 Days". New Straits Times.
  5. ^ a b "'Abang Adik' wins Best Actor at 60th Golden Horse Awards". New Straits Times. 28 November 2023.
  6. ^ Liu, Pei-yu (11 December 2023). "台灣票房破4000萬! 《富都青年》凱旋歸國 吳慷仁終吐心聲「從影以來轉捩點」" [Box office gross surpasses 40 million! Abang Adik jubliantly returns; Wu Kang-ren finally admits the movie as "his turning point"]. Formosa Television (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 December 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ Looi, Sylvia (10 January 2024). "'Abang Adik' makes history as first Malaysian box-office hit in Taiwan raking in RM13.5m". Malay Mail.
  8. ^ "全國電影票房2024年" (PDF). 每週票房公告 (15 January–21 January): 1–16. 21 January 2024.
  9. ^ "'Abang Adik' collects RM5.2 million in 24 days". New Straits Times. 10 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Golden Mulberry FEFF 2023".