Alibaba’s ‘Molly’ Acquired for Malaysia by U.K.-China Film Collab (EXCLUSIVE)

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The UK-China Film Collaboration NGO has successfully obtained the rights for Alibaba Pictures’ family drama “Molly” in Malaysia, concluding a deal with sales agency Hugoeast, based in Beijing, on the last day of the Cannes Film Market.

Under the guidance of Golden Horse Award-winning director Chang Jung-chi and script by Li Nian-Xiu, this Taiwanese creation boasts stunning visuals thanks to production design by Akatsuka Yoshihito. Notably, he has previously worked on films like “The Flowers of War” and “Kill Bill.”

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The Taiwanese film, masterfully directed by Chang Jung-chi (Golden Horse Award winner) and written by Li Nian-Xiu, boasts impressive production design courtesy of Akatsuka Yoshihito. This talented artist has previously contributed to films such as “The Flowers of War” and “Kill Bill.”

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The Taiwanese film, directed by Chang Jung-chi (Golden Horse Award winner) and written by Li Nian-Xiu, benefits greatly from the production design expertise of Akatsuka Yoshihito. His credits include “The Flowers of War” and “Kill Bill.”

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In the Taiwanese movie helmed by Chang Jung-chi (Golden Horse Award winner) and scripted by Li Nian-Xiu, Akatsuka Yoshihito’s exceptional production design skills are on display. He has previously worked on “The Flowers of War” and “Kill Bill.”

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The Taiwanese film directed by Chang Jung-chi (Golden Horse Award winner) and written by Li Nian-Xiu showcases the artistic talent of Akatsuka Yoshihito in its production design. His previous works include “The Flowers of War” and “Kill Bill.

The story of ‘Molly’ revolves around an 11-year-old plant lover named Molly, who teams up with A-Lu, a robot her botanist father brought home, to search for her missing parent. This film debuted in Chinese cinemas in early 2025 and documents the personal development of our young heroine as she navigates through numerous obstacles.

Josie Wu, who represents Hugoeast internationally, praised ‘Molly’ for its heartfelt storytelling, high-quality production, and deep emotional resonance. She is excited to see it gaining a following in Malaysia and feels confident that it could strike a chord with audiences worldwide.

Hiu Man Chan, creator of U.K.-China Film Collaboration, stated: “Though the film didn’t reach its box office potential in its native land, I’m confident that due to its top-notch production quality, relevant theme, a team that has won awards, and support from Alibaba Pictures, it merits wider viewing.

Chan stated, “This presents an excellent chance to compare how Chinese-language movies are received both domestically and internationally. It could lead to some interesting discoveries.

Previously, this NGO has managed the distribution of U.K. releases for films like “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” China’s entry for the Oscars, as well as a re-release of Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution.” Additionally, they organize and run the Odyssey Film Festival, an event accredited by the British Council. Last year, Ching Keat Aun’s Malaysian film “Snow in Midsummer” was victorious in both the best feature and best director categories at this festival.

In a distinct transaction at the Cannes Film Market, the U.K.-China Film Collaboration has also procured the rights to Khanjan Kishore Nath’s film “Kangbo Aloti” (“The Lost Path”) for both the United Kingdom and China, encompassing Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions as well.

At the Indian marketplace, “The Lost Path” – an uncommon film produced in the Karbi language – was showcased at the Indian Pavilion. This production, backed by the Asia Pacific Script Lab and the WIP Lab at CineV, narrates a compelling tale. Longsing, a young militant, is sent to a secluded village for recruitment purposes where he crosses paths with a school teacher whose beliefs contrast sharply with his own.

Director Nath, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with U.K.-China Film Collab for our movie’s distribution. Such collaborations are undoubtedly beneficial in showcasing our local narratives to worldwide viewers.

Chan stated, “This endeavor aims to introduce a novel approach to U.K.-China collaboration through Indian films.

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2025-05-21 15:16