A new rom-com ’Mojo’ set to charm audiences globally
A unique blend of romance and comedy
Mojo, a delightful romantic comedy featuring an ensemble of quirky characters, including a viral cow, is set to be the first feature film from the U.K.-Malaysia coproduction venture, Sympatico. This exciting project is directed by Min Lim, who brings a wealth of experience from her previous work in writing, directing, and producing live venues. Her notable credits include the multi-season Asian adaptation of “The Bridge,” the award-winning Malaysian adaptation of ”Liar,” and the reboot of the popular Malaysian sitcom “Kopitiam.”
A story of love and simplicity
The film’s narrative revolves around an ambitious city boy who discovers love and a deeper meaning in the simplicity of rural life. Mojo is penned by Honey Ahmad, known for her work on “Motif,” “Saladin,” and “Walinong Sari.” The creative team also includes Zahir Omar, the director of “Fly By Night” and “The Bridge,” who serves as a creative consultant. The film is a coproduction between Sympatico and Mocha Chai Laboratories, with Michelle Chang and Richard Johns as producers.
Filming in picturesque Perlis
Production for Mojo will primarily take place in the visually stunning northern Malaysian state of Perlis. The film is expected to be ready for release in June 2025. The U.K.’s SC Films International will handle international sales, adding Mojo to their roster of action titles like Peter Facinelli’s “On Fire” and the Singapore-Indonesian “Orang Ikan,” as well as the Australian fantasy-horror “Dusk.”
A film for all audiences
Sympatico describes Mojo as a film that appeals to both local and international audiences, with a witty, romantic, and heartfelt storyline. The film draws comparisons to “Ted Lasso” and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” The official synopsis reads: “Adi is a rising star at Moo Magic Farms, boosting sales by turning a distinctive-looking cow, Mojo, into a viral sensation and helping the company aggressively acquire small rural dairy farms. However, in the region of Kampong Semerah Padi (KSP), one small farmer, Atan, and his daughter, Ayu, resist and encourage other farms to do the same. When Atan kidnaps Mojo as leverage, chaos ensues. Adi travels undercover to KSP to retrieve Mojo and convince the villagers to sell, but nothing goes as planned. He ends up falling in love with the villagers, the simple farming life, and Ayu, forcing him to choose between his ambitions and what he truly needs.”
Themes of faith and sacrifice
Director Min Lim highlights the film’s universal themes, stating, “Mojo has brilliant and quirky characters set against stunning backdrops, with ‘fish out of water’ and ‘David vs. Goliath’ themes. At its core, it’s a story about faith, sacrifice, and doing right by others, working for the greater good rather than personal success.”
Sympatico: A promising partnership
Sympatico is a production partnership between the U.K.’s Argo Films and Malaysia’s Double Vision. The venture aims to cover both film and TV, with a development slate of six projects that promise to be authentically Asian. Double Vision, the production arm of Vision New Media group, boasts over 35 years of experience in various genres, including features, dramas, sitcoms, reality-game shows, magazine shows, documentaries, children’s programs, and variety shows. The company has in-house production and post-production facilities and has earned an International Emmy nomination for its hit Malaysian-Filipino coproduction “Kahit Isang Saglit.” Double Vision is also responsible for Asian versions of global drama series “The Bridge” and “Liar.”
A promising future for ‘Mojo’
With its unique storyline, talented cast and crew, and picturesque filming locations, Mojo is poised to captivate audiences worldwide. The film’s blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt themes promises to make it a memorable addition to the rom-com genre. As the first feature from Sympatico, Mojo sets a high bar for future projects from this exciting U.K.-Malaysia coproduction venture.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Mojo.
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