Film on Sabah's unique lion dance culture to hit cinemas June 2

 By Olivia Miwil - April 3, 2022 @ 10:17am

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The Rise of Lion director Michelle Xin(second right) and team paid a courtesy call to Sabah Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (third right). - Pic courtesy Michelle Xin.

KOTA KINABALU: "The Rise of Lion" proves the capabilities of local talents in the filmmaking industry.

The film, which is scheduled to hit cinemas nationwide from June 2 until July 3, was produced by Sabah's first female Chinese film director and producer Michelle Xin.

Also involved in the production were photography director Timothy Stephen and lead actor Ng Jinn Jou playing JJ in his debut acting role.

During a courtesy visit, the production team received positive comments from Sabah Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

"Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun is impressed by this team, with 98 per cent Sabahans capable of getting this inspirational story to the big screen.

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"He is looking forward to the next film from the team and will give full support to the project which will give the people in Sabah employment opportunities in the local film industry," said Xin in a statement.

The movie will showcase the unique lion dance culture in Sabah whereby the members of the troupe are multiracial.

The Rise of Lion chronicles the journey of a young lad, JJ, who is chasing his lion dance dream in the big city of Kota Kinabalu.

He grew up inspired by Master Chen's arts through his lion dance team Ba De. After Master Chen dies, JJ applies his Kadazan culture to help and bring the troupe to another level.

The film ran on a budget of RM1.5 million, with RM500,000 funded by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia and the balance from sponsors.

Apart from that, the production also raised funds for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body.



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