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MALAYSIA total package
Malaysia has all the qualities of a desirable filming destination including a large high-end studio, competent crews and equipment, a filming rebate and locations that can double for much of asia from mountains to beaches.
alaysia spans two regions separated by the South China Sea, which offer a large range of settings that have successfully doubled for various South Asian locations. Peninsula Malaysia is more urbanised and is the main filming hub, with both the capital city Kuala Lumpur and the large Iskandar Studios located at the southern tip. By contrast, East Malaysia is located on the island of Borneo bordering Indonesia and Brunei. Making up 60% of the country, the region is considered a more rugged and natural than the peninsula.
Such diversity in landscapes and culture provides filmmakers with many options. Muzri B Abdullah, strategic partnership lead at the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) says “Malaysia is a unique multicultural tropical country with a diversity of religions and races. It's known for its great food, islands, beaches, national parks, rainforests, highlands, plantations, villages, and cityscapes.” Crazy Rich Asians doubled Kuala Lumpur not only for Singapore (heritage building Carcosa Sri Negara stood in as the Singapore building) but also some New York scenes. Period drama Indian Summers also filmed two seasons in the country, on the Island of Penang which doubled for Simla, in India’s Himalayan foothills.
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George Town, Penang
George Town is the capital of the island state of Penang and is the economic centre of the northern region of Malaysia. The city has a colonial history dating back to its founding by the British East India Company in 1786.It gained independence from the British Empire in 1957. A large part of the historical centre of the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 and the city has both colonial properties as well as a sky-scraper lined seafront. Armenian Street is a creative strip featuring galleries and street murals and cafes. Elsewhere in the city ‘Little India’ is located close by and is a more bustling district where Malaysian Indian food can be found.
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