11 May – Attempting a new genre is a double-edged sword. On one hand, "Mantera" would not be compared to other like films in Malaysia, but on the other, who knows what will happen when uncharted waters are explored, although the producers of "Mantera", Malaysia's first ever international sci-fi movie, wholeheartedly believe that they would be able to gain a 90 percent return for the RM8.5 million spent.
Miza Mohamad, CEO of Flare Studios Sdn. Bhd, said, "For those who are not clear about the production, I can tell you that this film is 100 percent Malaysian-made. We only cast some foreign actors in the movie in order to fit into the characters of the story. We also had worked with the producers there while we were shooting at the foreign lands."
Mohamad also revealed that the studio will create two different versions of "Mantera" to cater for both local and international audiences.
Meanwhile, the producers are also in talks with foreign distributors, especially those in Russia and Dubai, to screen the sci-fi adventure in their countries. The film boasts Malaysian actors Tomok, Shikin Kamal and newcomer Jayson, as well as international stars Wael Al-Masri (Dubai), Mikhail Dorojkin (Russia), Russian martial arts actor Saide Dashuk-Nightmatulin, Daria Markova (Russia) and Ukraine pop singer Natalya Shmarenkova.
"Mantera" is directed by Mohd Aliyar Ali-Kutthy from FINAS Film Academy with photography work done by Shan Mugaa. The film tells the story of Azman who stumbled upon a nano-tech glove which can transform his motorbike into body armour. The nano-tech glove turns out of be a prototype of the latest weapon system "Mantera" or MAN - Transformable Exo-Robotic Armour and many are after it for its power. will be released in Malaysia cinemas on 17 May.
