Abang Adik

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Abang Adik
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJin Ong
Written byJin Ong
Produced byAngelica Lee
Alex C. Lo
Starring
CinematographyKartik Vijay
Edited bySoo Mun Thye
Music byRyota Katayama
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • 1 December 2023 (2023-12-01) (Taiwan)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryMalaysia
LanguagesChinese
Cantonese
Malay
Budget$653,000
Box 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

Box-office[edit]

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[edit]

The film went on to receive multiple award nominations, including seven Golden Horse Awards nominations, with Wu Kang-ren winning Best Actor.[5]

References[edit]

  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.