The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) has announced that Malaysian film Abang Adik will submitted for the 97th Academy Awards under the International Feature Film category.
Abang Adik is a 2023 neo-noir crime drama film written and directed by Jin Ong in his feature directorial debut. The film takes place in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, where a pair of undocumented brothers have nothing but each other, until a social worker comes into the picture and sends a ripple through their lives.
The movie received critical acclaim upon its release, clinching 19 international awards including 7 Golden Horse Awards nominations with Wu Kang-ren winning Best Actor for his performance as the main character Chen Ah-bang a.k.a. Abang.
Abang Adik has won The Best Film at the New York Asian Film Festival (22nd Uncaged Competition), Golden Mulberry, Black Dragon Critics’ Award, White Mulberry Award for Best Film from the 25th Far East Film Festival in Italy, 37th International Fribourg Film Festival in Switzerland, Film First Festival in China, and Malaysia Global Golden Awards (MGGA) 2024.
Not only that, the film earned $1.12 million in its first 24 days of screenings in Malaysia. It was also a surprise box office success in Taiwan, earning a record $1.29 million in its first 10 days and over $3.1 million throughout its theatrical run in the Taiwanese box office.
Abang Adik is currently available on streaming via Netflix Malaysia.
