(HIKAYAT MERONG MAHAWANGSA)
Executive Producer : Norman Abdul Halim
Producer : Norman Abdul Halim, Yusry Abdul Halim, Edry Abdul Halim
Director : Yusry Abdul Halim
Music : Edry Abdul Halim
Director of Photography : Mat Nor Kassim
Action Camera : Chau Kim Ming
Production Designer : Kek Ting Lam
Creative Director : Johan Lucas
Art Director : Anuar Paharudin
Martial Art : Chan Man Cheng, Chong Yi Wah
Costume : Rosada Abdul Hamid
Make-up : Mas Hashim
Producer : Norman Abdul Halim, Yusry Abdul Halim, Edry Abdul Halim
Director : Yusry Abdul Halim
Music : Edry Abdul Halim
Director of Photography : Mat Nor Kassim
Action Camera : Chau Kim Ming
Production Designer : Kek Ting Lam
Creative Director : Johan Lucas
Art Director : Anuar Paharudin
Martial Art : Chan Man Cheng, Chong Yi Wah
Costume : Rosada Abdul Hamid
Make-up : Mas Hashim
ACTORS
Stephen Rahman Hudges : Merong Mahawangsa
Jing Lu: Meng Li Hua (Chinese Princess)
Gavin Rees StenHouse : Marcus (Roman Prince)
Craig Robert Fong : Admiral Liu Yun (Chinese Admiral)
Eric Karl Henrik Norman : Lycius (Roman Admiral)
Keith Chong : Chinese Emperor
Deborah Henry : Yesoddhra
W. Hanafi Su : Taji
Dato’ Rahim Razali : Kesum
Khir Rahman : Kamawas
Ummi Nazeera : Embok
Nell Ng : Ying Ying
Jehan Miskin : Embi (Malay Warrior)
Umi Aida : Lang (Mak Merong Mahawangsa)
Kuswadinata : Phra Ong
Mano Maniam : Goan 1
Ravi Sunderlingam : Sunder (Goan Warrior)
Stephen Rahman Hudges : Merong Mahawangsa
Jing Lu: Meng Li Hua (Chinese Princess)
Gavin Rees StenHouse : Marcus (Roman Prince)
Craig Robert Fong : Admiral Liu Yun (Chinese Admiral)
Eric Karl Henrik Norman : Lycius (Roman Admiral)
Keith Chong : Chinese Emperor
Deborah Henry : Yesoddhra
W. Hanafi Su : Taji
Dato’ Rahim Razali : Kesum
Khir Rahman : Kamawas
Ummi Nazeera : Embok
Nell Ng : Ying Ying
Jehan Miskin : Embi (Malay Warrior)
Umi Aida : Lang (Mak Merong Mahawangsa)
Kuswadinata : Phra Ong
Mano Maniam : Goan 1
Ravi Sunderlingam : Sunder (Goan Warrior)
FILM’S STATISTICS
● Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa was filmed 90 per cent on location, mostly in Terengganu.
● The film will be distributed to 72 countries, including the United States, China, Germany and Australia.
● A team of 12 animators worked on the film.
● Scriptwriter Amir Hafizi reworked the screenplay 17 times.
● The film had a budget of RM8 million, of which RM2 million was spent on sets, props and costumes.
● The film will be distributed to 72 countries, including the United States, China, Germany and Australia.
● A team of 12 animators worked on the film.
● Scriptwriter Amir Hafizi reworked the screenplay 17 times.
● The film had a budget of RM8 million, of which RM2 million was spent on sets, props and costumes.
FILM’S TIMELINE
March 2008 — Research and scriptwriting began
September 2008 — Pre-production began
June 2009 — Production began
August 2009 — Post-production began
October 2010 — Film completed (initial target was July 2010)
November 2010 — Production of documentary began
February 25, 2011 — Documentary screened on TV3
March 10, 2011 — Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa to hit local cinemas
Source: KRU Studios
September 2008 — Pre-production began
June 2009 — Production began
August 2009 — Post-production began
October 2010 — Film completed (initial target was July 2010)
November 2010 — Production of documentary began
February 25, 2011 — Documentary screened on TV3
March 10, 2011 — Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa to hit local cinemas
Source: KRU Studios
Some of the local classic writings most include Hikayat Hang Tuah, Hikayat Malim Deman and Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. The purported founder of Langkasuka, one of the earliest Kingdoms established in the Malay peninsula. It’s set in the 2nd century. The two superpowers of the day (Roman Empire and Chinese Empire), decide to seal their political ties with a marriage their prince and princes.
When the fleet of Roman prince Marcus (Gavin Stenhouse) sinks, the party lands in Goa for help. Enlisting the aid of Merong Mahawangsa (Stephen Rahman-Hughes), Marcus continues on his journey to meet his Chinese bride halfway on the Malay Peninsula.
But there are pirates in these waters, known as Geruda and led by the seemingly invincible Taji(Wan Hanafi Wan Su) and Kamawas(Khir Rahman). The Gerudans attack both the Chinese and the Romans and kidnap Princess Li Hua(Jing Lu Si) to demand ransom from the Emperor of China.
Costing RM8 million, Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa is lavish and elaborate. The cast, comprising mostly stage actors both local and interntional, displays commendable acting prowess. Kudos to Stephen and special mention goes to khir.
The plot could have been better and the editing could have been tighter. The filmmakers should have reduced the length of the fights and not waste precious minute with the screen presence of the narrator.
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