Opening of Bona Cinemas in Malaysia at SkyAvenue, RWG

What a momentous occasion it was when Bona Film Group opened its first ever overseas cinema in Malaysia, at Resorts World Genting. In conjunction with the launch, the film company’s latest movie, Operation Red Sea, was specially screened as a gesture of appreciation to its host, RWG, as well as Malaysian fans.

Present at the event was Bona Film Group Chairman-cum-General Manager of the Board Mr. Yu Dong, who flew in from China. Joining him were the producer of Operation Red Sea Ms. Candy Leung and director of the movie, Mr. Dante Lam.

During the press conference prior to the launching ceremony, these three VIPs fielded questions from the press. Said Mr. Yu Dong, “Our decision to choose Resorts World Genting as the location for our first cinema outside China came after my visit here during the launch of Twentieth Century Fox World Malaysia Theme Park. These are exciting times at RWG and Bona Film Group also has similar plans for a movie theme park. Our Bona Theme Park at Resorts World Genting sees two movie scenes recreated.”

Bona Film Group, helmed by Mr. Yu Dong, is the first privately-owned cinema in China. Established in 1999, this Beijing-based company is one of the largest movie producers in the country. It is also the first Chinese film company to be listed on the New York NASDAQ stock exchange.

To date, Bona Film Group has distributed 270 Chinese and foreign films, via its 35 cinemas with 30 screens. In the next 3 years, the company has plans to expand to 100 cinemas with 800 screens. In Malaysia, the company’s next cinema location would be Kuala Lumpur. With cinemas in Malaysia, high quality Chinese movies will be screened to Malaysian audiences. At the same time, Bona Film Group’s presence will bridge the gap between movie makers in China and Malaysia.

According to Ms. Candy Leung, they are more than willing to collaborate with young and exciting Malaysian directors. “We have worked with Malaysian crews in three films thus far, and have found Malaysians to be creative and hardworking. Their tenacity in tough filming conditions is admirable, so we look forward to more opportunities to work together in the future.”

Operation Red Sea is a massive production that took nine months to film. Based on a true story about a Chinese-led evacuation mission during the 2015 Yemeni civil war, this action-spy movie, shot on location in Morocco (North Africa), features the rare genre of modern warfare. Extensive research has been put into its production, so much so that Operation Red Sea is now used as part of study material for the military, air force and naval academies in China.

At the time of this special screening, the movie had gained RMB1.8 billion in box office. To date, Operation Red Sea has a box-office gross of RMB2.6 billion, more than double that of the company’s previous movie, Operation Mekong, where Malaysia was one of its filming locations in October 2016. The target for Operation Red Sea is RMB3 billion. The movie debuted in Malaysia on 22nd Feb, 2018.

The grand launching event of Bona Cinemas at SkyAvenue, Resorts World Genting, 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), as well as Dato’ Fauzi Ayob (Director General of FINAS – National Film Development Corporation Malaysia), among other dignitaries and celebrities.

The event started off with a spectacular lion dance performance, followed by a multi-cultural traditional dance presentation by Istana Budaya’s Muhibbah dancers. The opening of Bona Cinemas was then marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

At this juncture, Bona Cinemas introduces four cinema halls at SkyAvenue, Resorts World Genting. It sets the tone for a long-term collaboration with the world-class integrated resort, a well-known tourist destination among Chinese tourists. An additional two halls, a 48-seat VIP theatre and a 250-seat IMAX theatre, will open in the second half of 2018. All in all, Bona Cinemas at RWG is equipped with state-of-the-art projection technology, Dolby Atmos surround sound system and comfortable seats, to showcase a full range of cinematic experiences.

So, if and when you are in Resorts World Genting, you can catch the latest blockbusters at Bona Cinemas.

Event: Opening of Bona Cinemas in Malaysia
Venue: SkyAvenue, Resorts World Genting
Date: 24th Feb, 2018
Time: 8pm

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