| The history of Cinema of Malaysia dates back to 1933 when Laila Majnun, a conventional Persian story of two lovers, was screened in the country. The film was produced by Singapore-based Motilal Chemical Company of Bombay and directed by B.S. Rajhans. The film was appreciated by the people of Malaysia and inspired by the success of the film, two Malaysia brothers Run Run and Run Me Shaw started a film company in a small studio at Ampas Road in Singapore and produced 5-6 Malay films before the Japanese invasion in the year 1941.
Film making in Malaysia resumed after the Second World War and Shaw brothers released Singapura Di Waktu Malam directed by Rajhans. The film was an instant success and Shaw Brothers went on to produce many more films. The success of their film company Malay Film Productions prompted other people to come forward and produce films. In the year 1951 Nusantara Film Company was established by Hsu Chiu and Ho Ah Loke started Rimau Film Productions in the following year. Ho Ah Loke's company merged with Cathay Organisation and was renamed as Keris Film Productions, in the year 1956. Ho Ah Loke's film company produced a number of films and posed stif competition to the films of Shaw Brother's studio.
As far as the technical aspects of the films are concerned, during the initial years the films were mostly black and white and the films were processed in studios of Malaysia equipped with recording and editing facilities. The scripts of these films were based on folk tales, stage plays, and legends of fictional or real historical heroes or events.
Later on Malaysia saw the advent of color films, Hang Tuah directed by Indian director Phani Majumder, was made in Eastman Color. Shaw Brothers and Ho Ah Loke also produced color films like Ribut, Berisong, Buluh Perindu and many others.
Despite developments, Malay film Industry went through a slump with film companies closing down because of the swelling production costs and fall in number of audience. However, the Cinema Of Malaysia was rejuvenated in the 1980s with the establishment of National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia in the year1981. The corporation's chief aims were to develop the quality of films by promoting them, providing technical and financial support to film makers and by encouraging young talented directors to make films.
As a result of the efforts of corporation, the film scenario has improved and more than 300 film companies are now operating in Malaysia. Another significant development was the advent of the television shows which further boosted the moral of the local film makers.
At present the country produces 15 films and about 300-400 television dramas, serials, and other programs annually. There are also about 250 theaters and cineplexes in the country showing not only local but also international films. In order to boost popularity, appreciation and film literacy the government of Malaysia also organizes the annual National Film Festival.
For more information on Malaysia visit Travour.com
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