The Journey (2014 Malaysian film)
| The Journey | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Chiu Keng Guan |
| Produced by | Choo Chi Han |
| Written by | Ryon Lee |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Eric Yeong |
Production company |
Wohoo Studios |
| Distributed by | Astro Shaw |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 110 mins |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Language | Chinese / English |
| Budget | RM3 million [1] |
| Box office | RM17.16 million [2] |
The Journey (一路有你) is a 2014 Malaysian Chinese film directed by Chiu Keng Guan and written by Ryon Lee.[3] The film is known for being the highest grossing Malaysian film in 2014.[4] The Journey won several awards in 27th Malaysian Film Festival for the Best Non-Malay Language Local Film, Best Cinematography and Best Actor, leading actor Frankie Lee being the oldest winner for that particular category.[5][6]
Plot
The Journey tells the story of Uncle Chuan (Frankie Lee), a conservative father with a rigid set of rules. When his daughter, Bee (Joanne Yew) returns home after spending most of her formative years in England with a fiance, Benji (Ben Pfeiffer) in-tow, Uncle Chuan refuses to give his blessing. With cultural differences and a language barrier that could potentially damage the union between Benji and his loved one, he feels that something must be done quick. Uncle Chuan reluctantly allows them to marry but on one condition — the wedding ceremony has to be in the traditional way. Despite their lack of understanding towards one another, Benji and Uncle Chuan embark on a nationwide journey to hand-deliver wedding invitations to the latter’s childhood friends. Throughout the journey, the two learn valuable lessons about accepting each other’s differences.
Production
Principal photography had been done in many locations across Malaysia. These include the Cameron Highlands, Chew Jetty and Pinang Tunggal Railway Bridge in Penang (the latter which has since been dismantled), Aur Island, Kuala Lumpur, Baling in Kedah, Ipoh, and Sabah.
The film also features a real life Chingay procession in Johor Bahru, in which director Chiu had to incorporate into the film due to its small budget.[4]
Release
Home media
The Journey was released by Multimedia Entertainment in DVD and VCD formats on 20 March 2014. Alternatively, the film was also released shortly after finishing its theatre run on Astro's on-demand film service Astro First, which included a behind-the-scenes documentary namely Chasing for Dream as an additional bonus feature. The film was also released in Singaporean theatres on the same day.[2]
Reception
Box-office
The film grossed RM2.2 million at launch, easily setting the record for best opening weekend by a Malaysian Chinese production. It went on to gross RM3.7 million after 6 days of release.[7] By the 11th day, it had grossed a total of RM6.6 million.[8] The film was a critical success and with good word of mouth, it officially became the highest grossing local Malaysian Chinese movie production on 12 February 2014 with a gross of RM7.6 million, surpassing the previous record which was held by Ah Beng: Three Wishes (RM7.56 million).[9] As of 16 Feb, the film had grossed RM9.8 million, making it the first local Malaysian Chinese movie production set to break the RM10 million barrier. Local cinema operators added additional screens to meet the high demand which resulted in sold out screenings across the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor.[10] On 20 Feb, the film was only RM0.2 million behind Ombak Rindu, grossing a total of RM10.70 million, the first local Chinese production to hit the RM10 million milestone.
Owing to the tremendous success of the film in Malaysia, the production company contemplated an earlier release of the film in Singapore.[11] On the fourth weekend ending 23 February 2014, The Journey officially became the highest grossing local production ever in Malaysia's box office history, having amassed a gross of RM12.92 million, beating the previous record holder, KL Gangster's RM11.74 million.[12] (That achievement would later be surpassed by Polis Evo in 2015 with its collective gross of RM17.30 million.[13]) On 17 March 2014, the film had raked in a total of RM17.16 million.[2]
References
- ↑ "Behind the Scenes of 'The Journey'". Variety. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 15 Feb 2014.
- 1 2 3 "《一路有你》票房达1716万 纪录片《拼一个梦》开播". Variety. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 22 Mar 2014.
- ↑ "The Journey official website". 24 February 2014. Retrieved 24 Feb 2014.
- 1 2 Krich, John (9 April 2014). "The Journey to the Top of Malaysia's Box Office". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones and Company, Inc. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ↑ Syafique Shuib (6 September 2015). "MFF27 Lelaki Harapan Dunia wins Best Film Fazura bags Best Actress trophy". Astro Awani. Astro Awani Network. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ↑ Erny Suzira (7 September 2015). "75-year-old Frankie Lee wins Best Actor at FFM 27". Cinema Online. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ↑ "《一路有你》开画票房创新高，6天突破370万". Variety. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 15 Feb 2014.
- ↑ "《一路有你》，一路长虹！". Variety. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 15 Feb 2014.
- ↑ "全民电影《一路有你》创760万票房，刷新大马中文电影票房纪录". Variety. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 15 Feb 2014.
- ↑ "《一路有你》大卖980万！千万票房仅"一步距离"". Variety. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 17 Feb 2014.
- ↑ "票房破1070萬 擬提早登陸新加坡". Variety. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 22 Feb 2014.
- ↑ "大馬最賣座本土電影 《一路有你》1292萬破紀錄". Variety. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 24 Feb 2014.
- ↑ "Polis Evo catat sejarah kutip RM17.30 juta padam rekod The Journey". Astro Awani (in Malay). Astro Awani Network Sdn Bhd. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2016.