KUALA LUMPUR – Actress Amelia Henderson said she celebrates her role in Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey, calling it a career-defining moment that fuels her passion for breaking barriers.
The movie, directed by Datuk Afdlin Shauki and reportedly produced with a budget of RM5 million, is loosely inspired by the national football team and their journey to qualifying for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup finals on merit after 42 years.
For context, Malaysia last qualified for the tournament in 2007 as a host.
Afdlin’s ambitious project also delves into behind-the-scenes events within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), following the departure of former head coach Tan Cheng Hoe, who was then replaced by Kim Pan-gon.
In addition to Amelia, the movie also boasts a stellar lineup of local stars, including Meerqeen, Sophia Albarakbah, Aidil Aziz, Aiman Hakim Redza, Tony Eusoff, Zain Hamid, Vanidah Imran, Erra Fazira, Nam Ron, Bell Ngasri, Kavin Jay, and Douglas Lim.
Amelia, who is also a television host, plays the role of Iniya – an independent woman on a mission to shatter the stereotype that football is a man’s game.
Her character Iniya burns with the desire to join Ultras Malaya and fuel the fiery spirit of national pride.
The Malaysian-British actress expressed her long-held desire to act in a sports-oriented film, something she had been wanting to do throughout her 18-year acting career.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for me to be a part of this project. When I first heard about the script, I was genuinely excited to work under Afdlin’s direction, especially after growing up watching his movies.
“Afdlin is a director I have always wanted to work with, pretty much my entire career. When I saw the lineup of the cast, it was an insanely star-studded group, and I’m thrilled to be part of history through this film.
“My personal feeling about being in a sports film is amazing, and as a Malaysian, being able to bring Harimau Malaya – our national team – to life and be part of something like this is such an honour.
“I’m grateful to work alongside such incredible contributors to our entertainment industry, and working with actors like Douglas has, in fact, made me a better actor overall,” Amelia said during a press conference on Monday.
Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey, produced by 4wards Pictures Sdn Bhd, is set to hit silver screens tomorrow. – August 14, 2024
