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KUALA LUMPUR, 27 August 2007 - National Geographic Channels International
(NGCI), the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage of Malaysia and the National
Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) today jointly announce the
launch of the premiere of Becoming A King, a one-hour National
Geographic Channel exclusive that chronicles the majestic grandeur and
tradition behind the coronation of Malaysia's thirteenth King, Yang Di-Pertuan
Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud
Al-Muktafi Billal Shah. This is the first of the two made-in-Malaysia
high-definition documentary programmes produced under the USD 400,000 "Malaysia
to the World" NGCI-FINAS High Definition (HD) Documentary Fund 2006.
In conjunction with Malaysia's 50th National Day celebration, the one-hour
special will premiere exclusively on National Geographic Channel in Asia
(including Malaysia on Astro Channel 52) on Monday, 27 August 2007 at 10.00 pm
(HKG/ SGP/ MAL) followed by repeats on Friday, 31 August 2007 at 10.00 pm and
Saturday, 1 September 2007 at 12.00 pm.
"It is heartening to showcase Malaysia to the World as we celebrate
Malaysia's 50th year of independence. This first-time partnership with National
Geographic Channels International - an award-winning global documentary
television channel renowned for its high-quality engaging visuals, compelling
storytelling and factual accuracy marks a new milestone in the development of
our local filmmaking talents and documentary production capability," said
Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Culture, Arts and
Heritage of Malaysia.
Shot and produced in high-definition in Malaysia, Becoming A King is a
result of the first-time co-production by the two Malaysian companies: VHQ TV
Sdn Bhd and Cosmo Vision Sdn Bhd. The filmmakers were guided by National
Geographic Channel's senior producers to meet the hallmark standards of
National Geographic Channel documentary filmmaking: compelling storytelling,
breathtaking and engaging visuals, smart, innovative and cutting-edge topics
and treatments.
Encik Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim, Director-General of FINAS says, "This
partnership with National Geographic Channels International, the undisputed
leader in documentary filmmaking has truly given Malaysian filmmakers the edge
to compete on the world stage. We are pleased to be playing a key role in
nurturing our Malaysian filmmakers and producing high-definition documentary
programmes for the global audience."
Mr Bryan Smith, Executive Vice-President of Productions at National Geographic
Channels International says, "The premiere of Becoming A King exclusively
on Astro marks a proud moment for National Geographic Channel, Ministry of
Culture, Arts and Heritage of Malaysia, FINAS, the Malaysian filmmaking
community and all Malaysians around the world. We are honoured to have the
unprecedented opportunity, to chronicle the story behind the coronation of
Malaysia's thirteenth King - Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin."
"As the leading media operator in the country, we are always looking for
opportunities to bring new services and compelling content to our customers.
This historic collaboration with National Geographic Channel will not only
provide a window on Malaysian traditions, heritage and rich culture to a global
audience, but also push the boundaries for a locally-produced documentary and
high-definition transmission in Malaysia. We are proud to be associated with
the exclusive premiere of "Becoming a King" on the Astro
service," said Ms Rohana Rozhan, Chief Executive Officer of Astro.
This is the first time that National Geographic Channels International, the
Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage of Malaysia and FINAS in association
with Astro have come together to encourage local filmmaking industry in
Malaysia. The partnership has presented a unique platform to nurture, preserve
and advance the filmmaking industry in Malaysia. The collaboration has resulted
in creating dramatic, relevant, entertaining and factually accurate documentary
programmes for National Geographic Channel's global audience.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXCLUSIVE: BECOMING A KING
Months of frantic preparation, tireless efforts by hundreds of people, a grand
ceremony befitting a King. National Geographic Channel goes behind the scenes
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the coronation of Malaysia's new King - Yang
Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum
Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billal Shah.
Everyone has a special part to play in the drama - from the gardeners who must
clip the Palace lawns smoother than a tablecloth - to the man chosen as the
King's stand in during rehearsals. The royal Comptroller and the Grand
Chamberlain must ensure that the smallest details will be done right. One
mistake and it would be broadcast "live" on national television.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has a reputation of being a
royal action man. As the Coronation comes ever closer, we reveal the public and
private life of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin - in the last
hectic days before he becomes King.
Find out what it takes to put together an event of grandeur and significance to
celebrate the coronation of Malaysia's 13th King.
Becoming A King will premiere exclusively on National Geographic Channel
in Asia on 27 August 2007 at 10.00 pm (HKG/ SGP/ MAL). Encore: 31 August 2007
at 10.00 pm and 1 September 2007 at 12.00 pm, in conjunction with Malaysia's
50th National Day celebrations. (Please check with your local operator for
telecast details.) It will also be showcased on National Geographic Channel's
global television network of 250 million homes (including day-part households)
in 166 countries. Becoming a King HD will broadcast in markets with
National Geographic Channel HD, a dedicated 24-hour high-definition channel by
National Geographic Channels International.
About National Geographic Channels International
National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to re-think
the way they see television - and the world - with smart, innovative
programming. A business enterprise owned by National Geographic Television
(NGT) and FOX Entertainment Group, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic
Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education.
Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S. which is a joint
venture of NGT and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in 250 million homes
(including day-part households) in 166 countries and 34 languages.
About National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Perbadanan Kemajuan
Filem Nasional Malaysia)
Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS) was established in 1981 to
encourage, to preserve and to facilitate filmmaking industry in Malaysia. FINAS
has since set up numerous facilities to promote the industry, including a
credit facility scheme which enables young and untiring film-makers to test
their potential.
A further incentive to local film-makers is that they are invited to make
television programmes either in film format or video format. There are now more
than 300 film companies registered with FINAS.
To promote documentary makers in Malaysia, FINAS encourages documentary
production with Malaysian cultural, historical and socio-economic themes.
About ASTRO
ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc is the region's leading cross-media operator with
Direct-To-Home satellite multi-channel television services in Malaysia and
Brunei and soon, in Indonesia. It is the country's leader in commercial radio,
and publishes Malaysia's most widely circulated magazine, the Astro Guide. The
ASTRO Entertainment Network produces over 20 television channels of original
and aggregated content of various genres in multiple languages. Celestial
Pictures owns the world's largest Chinese Film library and its digitally
remastered films are released internationally through theatrical, video,
television and new media distribution, and the Celestial Movies channels. The
strength of these complementary brands has extended into interactive and
multi-media services, including provision of content for mobile devices. AAAN
operates out of the All Asia Broadcast Centre, a fully-integrated digital
broadcast and production complex in Kuala Lumpur.
For more information, please contact:
National Geographic Channel Asia (Singapore)
Basil Chua / Angie Tan
Tel: +65 6325 3848 / +65 6325 3821
Email: basilc@ngcasia.com /
angiet@ngcasia.com
National Geographic Channels International (Washington DC)
Cherry Yates
Tel: +1 202 912 6689
Email: cyates@ngs.org
National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS)
Mohd Fazli bin Abdul Aziz / Puan Norshilawati
Tel +603 4108 5722 ext 107 / +603 4108 5722 ext 115/ 221
Astro All Asia Networks plc
Nirmala Kumarasami
Tel: +603 9543 6688 Ext. 3427
Email: nirmala_kumarasami@astro.com
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