The Malaysian cinematic landscape has seen great talent over the decades. Icons such as P Ramlee, Saloma, and Kasma Booty, who was dubbed as “Elizabeth Taylor of Malaysia”, have paved the way for many of today’s diverse storytellers who are working their magic in front of and behind the camera.
The trend continues today with many Malaysians still gracing the small and big screen locally and internationally. Here are five more talents to keep your eye out for on Netflix, plus one whose work behind the scenes will always hold a place in Malaysians’ hearts.
1. Michelle Yeoh
This international powerhouse has done it all – Hong Kong action star, Bond girl, stuntwoman, beauty queen – and even starred in one of the highest-grossing foreign-language films in United States history, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”.
Michelle Yeoh has travelled to the furthest depths of space and time in “Star Trek: Discovery”, helmed the role of tiger mum Eleanor Young in box-office-breaking “Crazy Rich Asians”, and even lent her voice to mythical goat Soothsayer in “Kung Fu Panda 2”.
She is also set to star in the upcoming six-part, live-action limited series “The Witcher: Blood Origin” as sword-elf Scían.
You can find her in 11 films and series currently on Netflix:
- Crazy Rich Asians
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
- Kung Fu Panda 2
- Marco Polo
- Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes
- Memoirs of a Geisha
- Mechanic: Resurrection
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
- Police Story 3: Super Cop
- Star Trek: Discovery
2. Nam Ron
Shahili Abdan, or better known as Nam Ron, is an industry veteran with a hand in acting, screenwriting and directing. He has played diverse roles in every genre you can think of – a school groundskeeper in “Suatu Ketika”; a hunter in the wilderness plagued by spirits in “Roh”; a pious man tortured by hypocrites in “Munafik 2”.
The Perlis native also starred in and directed “Crossroads: One Two Jaga”, a tale of immigration, corruption and crime on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. The film bagged six awards including Best Film at the 30th Malaysia Film Festival in 2019, and won two prizes at the 2019 ASEAN International Film Festival out of five nominations.
You can find him in 13 movies on Netflix:
- Bunohan
- Crossroads: One Two Jaga
- Dendam Pontianak
- Geran
- Munafik 2
- PASKAL
- Pasal Kau
- Roh
- Suatu Ketika
- Till Death: Azalea’s Wrath
- Usop Wilcha Menghonjang Makhluk Muzium
- Wira
- 29 Februari
3. Kabir Bhatia
Kabir Bhatia is elevating the Malaysian film industry one masterpiece at a time.
The multi-talented director, scriptwriter and producer has several award-winning blockbusters under his belt. This includes the mixed-martial-arts spectacle “Sangkar and Pulang”, a film inspired by the true story of former Primeworks CEO Ahmad Izham Omar, whose own grandfather had left his kampung to become a deckhand on a cargo ship in the 1950s.
Kabir started from humble beginnings as a television drama director before 2004’s “Cinta”, which won multiple awards including Best Film at the 20th Malaysian Film Festival. “Cinta” features five interwoven stories, couples, and families in Kuala Lumpur navigating the complexities of love in all its forms.
Keep up with Kabir’s films on Netflix:
- Cinta
- Sangkar
- Sepi
- Pulang
4. Henry Golding
This Sarawakian-British actor has come a long way since his travel-hosting days. He is now one of the most sought-after leading men in Hollywood after his breakout role in “Crazy Rich Asians” as Nick Young.
He has since graced screens in the rom-com “Last Christmas” alongside Emilia Clarke, and showed us his sinister side in “A Simple Favour”. He has also become a superhero in his own right alongside “Money Heist” actress Ursula Corbero in the “G.I. Joe” spin-off “Snake Eyes”.
Henry is also due to star with Dakota Johnson in the upcoming adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” on Netflix. Find more of him on the streamer:
- A Simple Favour
- Crazy Rich Asians
5. Ronny Chieng
Comedian and actor Ronny Chieng also made his mark in Hollywood with his involvement in “Crazy Rich Asians”. Aside from being a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah”, the funnyman details his American experience in his own Netflix special, “Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America”.
Growing up with anime came in handy when he worked on the dubbing of the Chinese animated series “Scissor Seven”, capturing the humour of the series with his bilinguality.
Ronny is only getting started on his Netflix journey as he is due to star in two stand-up specials and a semi-scripted road trip comedy where he will explore America’s Chinatowns with fellow comedian David Fung.
Here’s where you can find Ronny on Netflix:
- Crazy Rich Asians
- Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America
- Scissor Seven
- Wish Dragon
6. Yasmin Ahmad
Award-winning filmmaker Yasmin Ahmad’s legacy lives on in her films and commercials that shine a light on important social issues while crossing cultural barriers.
Her iconic film “Sepet” won the Best Asian Film Award at the 18th Tokyo International Film Festival, and the Le Grand Prix du Jury at the 27th Créteil International Women’s Film Festival. It also garnered 10 nominations and seven wins at the 18th Malaysia Film Festival.
Find some of her most acclaimed movies on Netflix:
- Rabun
- Mukhsin
- Talentime