The event was graced by YB Senator Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Mohd Salleh bin Tun Said Keruak, Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman & Chief Executive of Genting Malaysia, Datuk Lim Chee Wah, President of VXL Group, Mr Hui Lim, Executive Director and Chief Information Officer of Genting Malaysia and Dato’ Fauzi Ayob, Director General of FINAS.
Claiming the spotlight on the red carpet was Mr. Dante Lam, the director of Operation Red Sea, who thrilled the gathered fans. Also present were Ms Candy Leung, the producer of Operation Red Sea, Raymond Yip, film director and Zhai Tian Lin, actor from China and Datin Sophia Hu Jing. Local actors and celebrities who were also present include the award winning local star, Crystal Lee who acted in Bona Films titled Unbeatable. She received the Best Actress Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2013. Together with her were Steve Yap, Fiona Yeo, Andrea Lee, Jacqueline Tiang, Billy Ng, Agnes Lim, Michael Chin and Bei Fu Quan.
The grand event kicked started with a spectacular lion dance performance followed by a multi-cultural traditional dance by Istana Budaya’s Muhibbah dancers.
In his speech, Mr Yu Dong said, ‘We are very honoured to have the opportunity to work with the Chairman & Chief Executive of Genting Malaysia, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. Having now opened a Bona Cinemas outside of China at SkyAvenue, it is a beginning of many new plans we have in Malaysia.
‘Resorts World Genting is a well-known tourist’s destination in China. It is a world class integrated resort with so many speculator entertainment options for people from all walks of life. Talking about just Chinese tourists to Malaysia, approximately half of these visitors have visited Resorts World Genting last year. We are indeed proud to be part of Resorts World Genting and we certainly hope with this opening and collaboration with the Genting Group, we are able to introduce more movies, film stars and entertainment to the Malaysian audience,’ added Yu Dong.
From left to right : Ms. Candy Leung, Mr. Yu Dong and Mr. Dante Lam
Yu Dong further explained that the group has considered Resorts World Genting as an ideal location to open its first cinema, given the strength of the Malaysian Chinese entertainment market and synergies with the upcoming Twentieth Century Fox World theme park. Bona Cinemas is planned to be the first project in a long-term relationship between the Bona Film Group and Resorts World Genting. Special showcases and potential film festivals are being planned in Malaysia, while the relationship could extend to Bona Film Group entertainment events in Beijing and Guangzhou.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was also held to mark the opening of Bona Cinemas by YB Senator Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Mohd Salleh bin Tun Said Keruak, Mr Yu Dong, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Datuk Lim Chee Wah, Mr Hui Lim, Dato’ Fauzi Ayob, Dato Seri Lee Choong Yan, President & COO of Genting Malaysia, Dante Lim, Mr Allan Wang Yi, Bona Cinemas Chairman, Raymond Yip and Candy Leung.
Bona Cinemas at SkyAvenue currently has four cinema halls in operation. An additional two halls – a 48-seat VIP theatre and a 250-seat IMAX theatre – will be opening in the second half of 2018. Equipped with state-of-the-art projection technology, Dolby Atmos surround sound systems and comfortable chairs, Bona Cinemas in Resorts World Genting will showcase a full range of cinematic experiences, from Hollywood blockbusters to Chinese historical epics, from international comedy to local Malaysian productions.
The event continued with guests invited to watch the special screening of Operation Red Sea. Operation Red Sea is a Chinese-Hong Kong action film directed by Dante Lim, who also directed the Operation Mekong and many other top box office movies. In an earlier press conference, Dante said over CNY500 million (approximately MYR310 million) has been invested to produce the movie which was filmed in Morocco, showcasing military battle by the Chinese Military team that covers land, sea and air.
The movie starring Zhang Yi, Du Jiang, Huang Jingyu, Hai Qing and Prince Mak, is based on a true story about a China-led evacuation mission during the 2015 Yemeni Civil War. The movie is co-produced and co-funded by Bona Film Group.
The movie made its debut on the 22 February in Malaysia and has received tremendous good reviews. In China, the movie is currently ranked No 2 with CNY1.7 billion (approximately MYR1.05 billion) at the box office. I have yet to watch this movie but am planning to watch it soon.
For more information on Bona Cinemas, please visit www.rwgenting.com or call 03-6101 1118.
BACKGROUND - BONA FILM GROUP
Bona Film Group is listed on the New York NASDAQ stock exchange. It was founded in 1999 as a film and television production and distribution firm, and was the first private firm to receive a film distribution licence from the Chinese state.
It is now one of China’s largest film distributors, having produced and distributed over 220 domestic and international films with a cumulative box office of almost CNY200 billion (approximately MYR123 billion), including many familiar titles like The Taking of Tiger Mountain (智取威虎山), The Grandmaster (一代宗师), Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (龙门飞甲), Red Cliff (赤壁), Dragon Tiger Gate (龙虎门) and Confession of Pain (伤城).
In China, it has also expanded into cineplexes, with more than 50 locations in major cities.
