Published November 1: I missed my chance to check out Tan Chui Mui’s newest feature, Barbarian Invasion, when it screened for the New York Asian Film Festival last year. Invariably, the film has been on a journey since its completion, making the festival rounds and ultimately now readying a November 24 release in Malaysia. Hopefully 2023 will bring about some good prospects with this film’s release stateside.
Moon Lee, a celebrated award-winning actress, has become a full-time mom and divorcée since retiring. Desperate to regain her sense of self, she jumps at the chance to work with her long-time collaborator, director Roger Woo, again. Only this time, he casts her as the lead in a do-your-own stunts martial arts film. The role requires extensive training and though Moon is at first uncertain, she leaves her young son in the care of Roger’s assistant and commits herself to back-breaking training. As soon as she starts to gain some confidence, Roger breaks the news to her: the only way the film can move ahead is to cast her ex-husband, Julliard, as the male lead.
Mui directs and stars in the film which also has Bront Palarae, Pete Teo, Zhiny Ooi, James Lee, Nik Hadiff Dani, Mano Maniam and Wai Hoong, and will be presented in Malay, Chinese, Tamil languages with Malay, Chinese and English subs.
