By Mohamad Letfee Ahmad
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 – Ray Lee, the 44-year old film director and producer Misha Minut have made it again.
From getting listed in the Malaysia Book of Records for their first Malaysian music video shot on the Great Wall of China to winning international awards for their horror-zombie movie Belaban Hidup-Zombie Infection, the husband and wife team have set their eyes on the international front again.
Their latest international stint is the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival which starts today until Sept 20 in Yubari, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
Speaking to the Japanese media, Lee said he was humbled at getting selected for the prestigious 30-year-old festival.
“Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival is the oldest and most established fantastic film fest in Asia, therefore we feel honoured to screen our movie in this fest. I think this fest is the best platform for all horror films from around the world,” he said.
Held annually since 1990, with the slogan ‘The most fun film festival in the world’, the festival targets imaginative and entertaining fantastic films from the science fiction, horror, fantasy, adventure, action and suspense genre.
Lee said his film will be competing with three Japanese films and a Korean movie in the Yubari Choice category.
“Being the only Malaysian representative, I hope to add another feather to my cap. Win or not, I’m proud to be able to represent Malaysia in this Asian premiere festival on this auspicious Malaysia Day celebration.
“Apart from that, our film will also be screened on Hulu TV, an OTT platform in conjunction with Yubari Fanta Film Festival,” he added.
Belaban Hidup or Fight For Life has created waves internationally this year when it won the Asian Cinematography Awards in the Philippines and the Canadian Diversity Film Festival.
Lee said the film had also been shortlisted in the official selection and screening at the Russia International Horror Film Awards and the Macabro Mexico City International Horror Film Festival which is a Latin American premiere.
“In addition, the film’s latest screening venues include the Phoenix FearCon in Arizona, USA, the Native Spirit Film Festival (London) which is a UK Premiere and Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival,” he said.
— WE