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SINGAPORE: Korean film "The Host" tells the story of a mutant creature wreaking havoc in Seoul.
Released in 2006, it was a monster of a hit which was sold to 134 countries and grossed US$90m worldwide. In fact, it is the highest grossing Korean film of all time.
And now, Singapore is set to a get a slice of the monster action in the sequel. The movie's Korean producers have selected Singapore film-maker Kelvin Tong to co-produce the sequel called "Host 2".
The collaboration is all thanks to a chance meeting at a Korean film festival.
Mr Tong, who is the creative director of homegrown Boku Films, said: "At the award ceremony, I only knew him as a Korean producer who was very much a film buff. We spent the entire evening talking about movies.
"At one point, I told him how I love this Korean movie called The Host, so much so that I saw it in the cinema six times. That's when he said he was Choi Yong-Bae and that he's actually the producer of The Host. I literally fell off the chair."
Producer and Chungeorahm Films' chief executive, Choi Yong-Bae, said: "When I saw some of Kelvin Tong's films, I was very impressed. I think he will be a good partner to produce an Asian film for the worldwide market."
The film is in the scripting stage and is set for release in 2011. Producers say most of the computer graphics special effects will be done in Singapore. Some scenes for the film could be filmed in Singapore, but nothing is confirmed at the moment.
Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) and Boku Films are funding half of the US$10m sequel. This will be MDA's first involvement in an overseas feature length film since 2006.
Kenneth Tan, MDA's director of film, animation & publishing, said: "The collaboration that we have seen today is an example of the direction strategically and operationally that we're definitely proceeding in."
While the director and cast have yet to be confirmed, the sequel to "The Host" is set to start production next year.
- CNA/ir
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