Gold is a 2024 Malaysian sports docudrama biography film based on Cheah Liek Hou's journey on winning gold medal in 2020 Paralympic Games in badminton (category SU5). Produced by Astro Shaw and ACT 2 Pictures with distributed by GSC Movies, the film directed and produced by Adrian Teh with screenplay by Tan Pik Yee, known for screenplay Ola Bola (2016) and Adrian himself. It starring Jack Tan as Liek Hou himself, Farid Kamil as Rashid Sidek, Yasmin Hani as Rashid's wife, Wan Raja as Misbun Sidek, Rashid's brother, Freddie Ng as Liek Hou's father, Lynn Lim as Liek Hou's mother, Josiah Hogan as Nova Armada and Fabian Loo as Guan Teng.

Gold
Theatrcial release poster by Dannyhan Miskam
Directed byAdrian Teh
Screenplay by
  • Tan Pik Yee
  • Adrian Teh
Based on2020 Paralympic Games
by Cheah Liek Hou
Produced byAdrian Teh
Starring
CinematographyYong Choon Lin
Edited byLee Pai Seang
Music byJackey Yow
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • GSC Movies (Malaysia)
  • Clover Films (Singapore)
  • Astro Shaw (worldwide)
Release dates
  • 11 July 2024 (2024-07-11) (Malaysia & Brunei)
  • 18 July 2024 (2024-07-18) (Singapore)
Running time
126 minutes
CountriesMalaysia
Singapore
LanguagesMalay
Chinese
English

Pre-production began in 2023 when Adrian began building a set for Rashid Sidek's bronze medal moment in 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The set was build in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia based on Georgia State University Gymnasium. Official principal photography ran for two months also in Kuala Lumpur starting in March 2023 with Astro Shaw and ACT 2 Pictures as main producer with the support of APACS Sports. Later in post-production, One Cool Films, who known for The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) production and Clover Films announced as associate producers with GSC Movies announced as distributor for Malaysia market.

The film was released in Malaysia and Brunei on 11 July 2024 with Singapore release on 1 week later (18 July 2024).

Premise

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Cheah Liek Hou is a prodigious badminton player who has attained an undefeated record through his exceptional skills. However, during the peak of his career, he discovers that he is afflicted with brachial plexus paralysis. Undeterred by this setback, Liek Hou joins the ranks of disabled badminton players and, with the spirit of an athlete, emerges victorious in the world championship. But, tragically, he loses his father, who had been a steadfast pillar of support throughout his life. Faced with this monumental loss, Liek Hou is forced to confront the challenges of life head-on.

When the Paralympic Games announce the inclusion of badminton as a sport, Liek Hou rises to the occasion, aided by the legendary badminton player Rashid Sidek, who serves as his coach. With [Rashid] Sidek's guidance, Liek Hou sheds 20 kilograms and overcomes numerous hurdles to triumph in the Paralympic Games, ultimately winning the coveted gold medal and etching an important historical moment for Malaysia.[1]

Cast

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Production

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Pre-production

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Gold will be fourth collaboration between ACT 2 Pictures and Astro Shaw after the success of Wira (2019), Dukun Diva (2021) and MALBATT: Misi Bakara (2023). It will also marked Adrian Teh's 14th directional film and first in sports genre.[2] It was announced in April 2023 by Astro Gempak that the film will be titled Gold[3] based on Cheah Liek Hou's story on winning 2020 Paralympic Games gold medal.[4]

The casting of the film was announced in February 2023 in ACT 2 Pictures' Instagram with the description of visual age between 18 and 28 years.[5] Jack Tan, who knows for his acting in Abang Adik (2023) as Adi was announced that he will portray Cheah Liek Hou.[6] The film was also supported by Farid Kamil as Rashid Sidek. Farid was grateful for playing such as big name in Malaysia.[7][8] Farid told media;[9]

“It’s not easy to portray an athlete on the big screen, more so when it’s Datuk Rashid Sidek who as we all know, is a legend of the sports of badminton. I had to train really hard to have the same movements as him, it’s really difficult for me."

Other cast that included in the film are Yasmin Hani as Rahsid's wife, Fabian Loo as Guan Teng, Freddie Ng as Liek Hou's father, Lynn Lim as Liek Hou's mother, Daniel Cheah as Ah Fat and Josiah Hogan as coach Nova Armada.

In February 2023, Adrian visit the film's building set in Kuala Lumpur that apparently have a gladiator look-a-like.[10] He later announced that he would make sports story.[11] On his Instagram post;[12]

Some may argue that this genre is challenging and may not yield great commercial success, they are not wrong. But I have heard this type of comments many times 🥱

Filming

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Principal photography began in March 2023 in Kuala Lumpur with Astro Shaw, ACT 2 Pictures and APACS Sports announced as producers with Guinevere Loh Pei Shan served as line producer of the film.[13] The filming took two months of photography in several places of Klang Valley.[14] For Farid Kamil, he had to lose weight around 20 kg in two months to make Rashid Sidek's look-a-like.[9] He told media;[15][9]

"I had to train a lot just to master his movements. For me, that is hard. In addition, I even had to reduce my weight from 80kg to 60kg. That took me two whole months,"

— Farid Kamil

“The body transformation turned out to be very difficult,”

“When I was talking to director Adrian Teh, we thought all I needed to do was to eat a lot. Can-lah.

“So every day I ate four meals. But, after a month, I saw that I didn’t gain any weight, which was at 67kg. How was I supposed to get to 90kg?”

—Jack Tan[16]

He also thank Rashid himself, Jalani Sidek and Misbun Sidek for assistance in badminton.[15][17] For Jack Tan, he have to do opposite when he have to gain 20 kg only for four days of shooting.[16] He also told that he ate four times a day for a whole month but ended in a failure after he maintained his weight around 67 kg due to his exercise schedule.[18] In the second and final month, he decided to took six meal a day with foods and drinks such as desserts, soda drink and fried food.[16]

After shooting, he immediately lose weight for Abang Adik film which was released earlier in December 2023.[16] He told that he took six months of production for gain and lose weight only for this film.[19]

Post-production

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Post-production were ran in FINAS newly renovated studio for sound that was included Dolby Atmos surrounding. The post-production sound was led by Raja Ahmad Shaidaley from Supernova Media.[20]

Kyle Goonting, who known for Polis Evo franchise, Siti Marzuliana Marzuki and Nabil Abdulaziz officially announced as Astro Shaw's producers for the film.[21] Originally, Luqman Sheikh Ghazali was the associate producer alongside Nabil but left due to Kahar: Kapla High Council production.[22]

Release

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Gold was part of 2024 release by Astro Shaw, alongside Sheriff: Narko Integriti, The Experts, Baik Punya Ah Long and Kahar: Kapla High Council.[23][24] The original lineup also contains the film with PAPA Game On was supposed to release in 2024 but delayed to 2025.[25]

The film was originally scheduled to release on 4 July 2024 with distributed by Astro Shaw,[26] but was pushed back a week later due to change on distribution services by GSC Movies.[1] The teaser was released on Father's Day that shows some snippet of the film.[27] Official trailer was released twice on 24 June 2024 with countdown trailer was released in evening[28] with official trailer released on night,[29] edited by Zoul Zaaba with original soundtrack of the film.[30] The trailer received positive outcome from audience.[31]

Music

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"Kita Pasti Boleh"
Single by Kaka Azraff, Daniel Sher and Saint T.F.C.
LanguageMalay
ReleasedJune 21, 2024 (2024-06-21)
StudioHM Entertainment
Length3:03
LabelRocketfuel Entertainment
Songwriter(s)Daniel Sher
Lyricist(s)Daniel Sher (rap)
Saint T.F.C (rap)
Producer(s)Angela Victoria Chua
Daniel Sher
Faizal Fauzi
Nelson Sim Shein Chuen

Original soundtrack of the film titled "Kita Pasti Boleh" produced by HM Entertainment[32] was performed by Kaka Azraff,[33] Daniel Sher and Saint T.F.C. with Daniel Sher written the whole song and Saint T.F.C. wrote rap lyrics with Daniel.

Official music video directed and colorist by Zoul Zaaba and edited by Izzul Akmal was released on Astro Shaw's YouTube channel on 21 June 2024.[34]

References

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  1. ^ a b ih_admin (24 June 2024). "GOLD". GSC Movies. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Adrian Teh Filemkan Kejayaan Cheah Liek Hou Rangkul Pingat Emas Paralimpik 2020 - Sukanz". 31 March 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Filem Gold Angkat Kisah Kejayaan Jaguh Sukan Paralimpik Tokyo 2020, Cheah Like Hou!". gempak.com (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Filem 'GOLD' Inspirasi Cheah Liek Hou Raih Pingat Emas Paralimpik 2020 Di Pawagam - PrezCom". 12 April 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ @act2pictures (21 February 2023). "听说星爷在招募演员?好巧喔~ 咱们也在寻找 "有潜力的人" 参与新片拍摄。符合要求及感兴趣的朋友们, 赶紧把相关资料发给我们吧。希望您能成为"有人" 🎥Casting Call! We are on the hunt for new talents. Are you the one? Send us your profile now. #castingcall #招募演员 #act2pictures". Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  6. ^ Chua, Dennis (8 April 2023). "#Showbiz: Tan plays paralympic badminton player in 'Gold' | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  7. ^ "#Gold: Terpilih Jayakan Watak Rashid Sidek, Farid Kamil Akui Rasa Bangga - "Saya Sangat Bersyukur Apabila Dipilih"". gempak.com (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  8. ^ "#Gold: Farid Kamil bangga terpilih jayakan watak Rashid Sidek". www.astroawani.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Jamie (6 August 2023). "After Anwar: The Untold Story, Farid Kamil Sheds 20kg to Play Badminton Legend Rashid Sidek in 'GOLD' - WORLD OF BUZZ". worldofbuzz.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  10. ^ Adrian Teh [@adrianteh19] (3 February 2023). "Ok next! … how ? 😆 #act2pictures". Kuala Lumpur. Retrieved 5 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  11. ^ Chua, Dennis (28 March 2023). "#Showbiz: Adrian Teh comes up with biopic of paralympic badminton hero Cheah Liek Hou | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  12. ^ Adrian Teh [@adrianteh19] (2 March 2023). "I'm a story teller. I like telling different type of stories. Next, I will be venturing into telling a sports story". Kuala Lumpur. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  13. ^ ACT 2 Pictures [@act2pictures] (12 March 2023). "#FilemGOLD🥇 starts filming today! Let's rock & roll 🎬 Presented by: @astroshaw @act2pictures Co-sponsored by: @apacs.sports #GoldFilmMy #FilemGold". Retrieved 5 July 2024 – via Instagram.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "Liek Hou honoured to be featured in Astro Shaw biopic". stadiumastro.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Farid Kamil sheds 20kg to play badminton icon Rashid Sidek". Yahoo News. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d "Actor Jack Tan took 3 months to gain 20kg, all for just 4 days of filming". The Star. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  17. ^ Entertainment, N. S. T. (4 August 2023). "#Showbiz: Farid Kamil had to shed 20kg to play Rashid Sidek in 'Gold' | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  18. ^ Astro Shaw [@astroshaw] (29 June 2024). "Selalu kita dengar pelakon workout untuk dapat badan berketak. Tapi @jacktan_ahzhe buat yang terbalik dulu tau untuk watak dia sebagai Cheah Liek Hou! 👌🏻🏅🏸" (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  19. ^ Jack Tan [@jacktan_ahzhe] (24 June 2024). "Yep, that's me! I've kept it a secret for a long time… I spent 3 months learning to play badminton with my left hand and another 3 months transforming my body from plus size to small size and back to plus size! What a journey.. Can't wait to meet y'all!". Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  20. ^ FINAS [@finasmalaysia] (4 July 2024). "Filem "GOLD" arahan Adrian Teh merupakan filem pertama yang menggunakan fasiliti Studio Mix Stage 1 Dolby Atmos FINAS bagi kerja-kerja Pre-Mix dan Final Mix format Surround 7.1. Proses adunan bunyi filem "GOLD" telah dijalankan oleh Raja Ahmad Shaidaley (Boon)". Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  21. ^ Abdulaziz, Nabil [@nabiltheunicorn] (6 July 2024). "First Film Project I got to work on from near-start to finish I learnt of Adrian Teh from watching Paskal in cinemas back in 2018 but the me then would not have imagined that I'd get to work with him one day, let alone be credited as an Associate Producer. Hell of an achievement getting to work with one of my favorite Malaysian Directors and I owe it to Astro Shaw and Act 2 Pictures for the opportunity! Shout out to Guinevere, Line Producer for the film, and no doubt I've learnt so much from her, especially given how much legalities and licensing was involved in making a biopic. Hope I was able to provide just as much support for the team as you did for us! Hoping to work with the Act 2 Pictures team again And to Cheah Liek Hou, Malaysia's Gold Medalist Paralympian in Badminton, I'm happy to see Astro Shaw and Act 2 Pictures has done this your story justice with this film and now, a lot more people know your name 🥹 Paralympians are just as much athletes as Olympians and with our 6 Gold Medals in the Paralympics, they are unsung heroes to us! Catch Gold! Out in cinemas 11th July 2024! #GoForGold #MYGoldMovie #KitaPastiBoleh". Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  22. ^ "Tentang Filem Berdasarkan Kisah Benar GOLD Lakonan Jack Tan, Farid Kamil". Budiey Channel. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Astro Shaw Bakal Membariskan Filem-Filem Hebat Untuk 2024". bm.syok.my. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Syerif, Projek: Kahar & The Experts Antara Filem Menarik Dari Astro Shaw Untuk Tahun 2024!". gempak.com (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  25. ^ Astro Shaw (1 January 2024). Astro Shaw Showreel 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ Astro Shaw [@astroshaw] (2 April 2024). "Diinspirasikan daripada kisah benar Sukan Paralimpik Tokyo 2020, Astro Shaw, Act 2 Pictures, Clover Films & One Cool Entertainment mempersembahkan filem GOLD! GOLD, 4 Julai 2024 di pawagam" (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  27. ^ Astro Shaw (18 June 2024). GOLD | OFFICIAL TEASER | DI PAWAGAM MULAI 11 JULAI 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ Astro Shaw (23 June 2024). GOLD | COUNTDOWN TRAILER TONIGHT | DI PAWAGAM MULAI 11 JULAI 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ Astro Shaw (24 June 2024). GOLD - OFFICIAL TRAILER | DI PAWAGAM MULAI 11 JULAI 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ Zaaba, Zulfazli [@zoulzaaba] (6 July 2024). "Another timeline from me 😂 Gold official trailer directed by @adrianteh19 Fun fact : lagu awal tu pakai suno ai Then come the ost yang superb from @thedanielsher @kakaazraff @sainttfc Let's go @nellysim98 @jerryikman" (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  31. ^ "#Gold: Baru Sahaja Keluar Trailer, Ramai Tak Sabar Nak Tengok - "Abang Teh Punya Filem Mesti Kena Tengok!"". gempak.com (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  32. ^ HM Entertainment [@hm_entertainmentofficial] (20 June 2024). "We are proud to announce our very first music production of HM Entertainment, in collaboration with Astro Shaw, the No.1 Film Producer in Malaysia. We are honoured to be given this opportunity to create and produce the OST of Gold movie. Thank you @astroshaw and stay tuned for the official release!". Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Instagram.
  33. ^ "#GOLD: Sering Bawa Lagu Pembakar Semangat, Kaka Azraff Nak Teruskan Legasi Ella Dalam Bidang Nyanyian". gempak.com (in Malay). Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  34. ^ Astro Shaw (21 June 2024). Kita Pasti Boleh. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via YouTube.
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