Chiu Keng Guan (/ˌtʃuː kɛŋ ɡwʌn/; Chinese: 周青元; Jyutping: Zau1 Ceng1 Jyun4; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chiu Chheng-goân; pinyin: Zhōu Qīng Yuán) is a Malaysian film director.[1]
Chiu Keng Guan 周青元 | |
---|---|
Born | |
Other names | 青元; Chiu; Chiu导 ("Chiudao") |
Alma mater | Beijing Film Academy |
Occupation | Film director |
Years active | 2010 - present |
Notable work | WooHoo! (2010) Great Day (2011) The Journey (2014) Ola Bola (2016) Think Big Big (2018) |
Career
editBorn and raised in Batu Pahat, Johor,[2] Chiu initially studied graphic design and then fine arts,[3][4] and worked on ceramic and sculpture production before joining HVD Film Production, doing quality assurance.[3]
Chiu then attended the Beijing Film Academy[3][4][5][6] - which in recent times produced Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige. Since then, he did TV dramas, commercials, corporate videos, and also worked as an assistant director and cameraman. He was also part of the pioneering group that helped set up 8TV, and freelanced for Astro.[3][4]
Chiu emerged in the local movie scene with Astro and its movie production arm, Astro Shaw, in directing his acclaimed family-oriented Lunar New Year Trilogy of WooHoo! (2010), Great Day (2011) and The Journey (2014), and has been in close working relationship with them since. He is well known to have a preference for amateurs and non-actors, unlike most local commercial filmmakers, who would usually cast professional and famous actors.[3][7] The cast of Woohoo! and Great Day consists mostly of non-actor celebrities from Astro's popular radio and TV channels, while major roles are given to amateurs in The Journey and Ola Bola. Frankie Lee Sai Peng, the lead actor for The Journey who won the 27th Malaysia Film Festival award for Best Actor, is one such example. Lee is the first recipient of Chinese descent and the eldest since its inauguration at 75 years old.[8][9]
Chiu's work is known for its emotional charge, and has earned him numerous critical and commercial success, especially within Malaysia. In addition to breaking box office records in Malaysia,[3][10] he is decorated with notable award wins and nominations, including the Golden Wau Awards[11][12] and the Malaysia Film Festival awards.[8][13]
Filmography
editYear | Film | Box Office |
---|---|---|
2010 | 大日子 WooHoo![14] | MYR 4.2 million[3] |
2011 | 天天好天 Great Day[15] | MYR 6.5 million[3] |
2014 | 一路有你 The Journey[16] | MYR 17 million[10][17] |
2016 | Ola Bola[18][19] | MYR 16 million[10][20] |
2018 | 大大哒 Think Big Big[21][22] | MYR 2 million |
2021 | On Your Mark |
Accolades
editAward | Year | Category | Title | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Golden Wau Awards | 2013[23] | Best Movie | WooHoo! | Nominated |
Great Day | Nominated | |||
Best Director | WooHoo! | Nominated | ||
Great Day | Won | |||
2015[24] | Best Movie | The Journey | Nominated | |
Malaysia Film Festival | 2015[8][13][25] | Box-Office Film Award | The Journey | Won |
Best Non-Malay Language Film | Won | |||
Best Cinematography | Won | |||
Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | |||
Best Art Direction | Nominated | |||
2016[26][27] | Best Film | Ola Bola | Nominated | |
Best Director | Nominated | |||
Best Original Story | Nominated | |||
Special Jury Award - National Unity | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Keng Guan Chiu". IMDb. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Groves, Don (April 6, 2016). "Malaysia's Got Talent". Forbes Asia. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Seto Kit Yan (June 5, 2014). "The RM17mil man: 'The Journey' director Chiu Keng Guan on going the distance". The Star. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c "The Journey". Winter Film Awards. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Krich, John. "The Journey to the Top of Malaysia's Box Office". WSJ. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Muthalib, Hassan A. "CHIU KENG GUAN'S THE JOURNEY: A MESSAGE FOR MALAYSIANS". www.academia.edu. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Yeoh, Angelin (January 28, 2016). "Chiu Keng Guan brings raw talent together for OlaBola". The Star. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c "MFF27: The Journey wins 4 trophies including Best Director and Best Actor". Astro Awani. September 6, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Erny Suzira (September 7, 2015). "75-year-old Frankie Lee wins Best Actor at FFM 27". Cinema Online. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c "'Ola Bola' rakes in RM16 million at local box office". The Malay Mail. March 17, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Seto Kit Yan (October 8, 2013). "Malaysia's very first Chinese-language film awards". The Star. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "Puppy Love wins big at Golden Wau Awards". www.filmbiz.asia. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ a b Yeoh, Angelin (September 6, 2015). "Lelaki Harapan Dunia, The Journey win big". The Star. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "大日子 Woohoo! | 电影官方网站". www.woohoo.my. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "天天好天 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "一路有你 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "10 things about: Chiu Keng Guan, director of 'Ola Bola' and 'The Journey'". The Malay Mail. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "You will believe again, says 'Ola Bola' — Lee Yew Meng". www.themalaymailonline.com. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "OlaBola | Astro Shaw". www.astroshaw.com.my. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ ""Ola Bola", "Polis Evo" lead FFM 28 nominations". Retrieved November 5, 2016.
- ^ "'Think Big Big' Is A 'Plate Of Rojak', Says Chiu Keng Guan | Star2.com". Star2.com. February 13, 2018. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ "'Think Big Big': Chiu Keng Guan's Latest Film Is Big On Heart | Star2.com". Star2.com. February 17, 2018. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ Ma, Kevin (August 8, 2013). "Golden Wau nominations favour Aniu, Chiu, Teh". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016.
- ^ "2nd Golden Wau Awards - 2015 - Malaysia Chinese Movies". chinesemov.com. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Ect, Deric (August 4, 2015). "Here Are All The Nominees For The 27th Festival Filem Malaysia (a.k.a. "Malaysian Oscars")". The Daily Seni. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "Ola Bola scores 14 noms at Malaysia Film Festival - Star2.com". Star2.com. August 4, 2016. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
- ^ "Making history at this year's Malaysia Film Festival - Star2.com". Star2.com. September 6, 2016. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016.