Astro will soon be screening 33 classic Malay movies rom Cathay-Keris Studio archives produced in 1950s and 1960s.

These movies were recognised as United Nation’s cultural body (UNESCO) as an important part of Malay heritage in 2014.

Exciting partnership

I.E. Entertainment Pte. Ltd. was proud to announce a landmark deal with ASTRO for 33 iconic Malay Movie Classics from Cathay-Keris Films.

The titles will be available on Astro Citra and Astro Prima linear channels, including On Demand, Astro GO and OTT platforms from September 2021.

This is the first time in a decade that these Malay Movie Classics will be made available on Astro.

Vice president for Malay Nusantara Business and Head of Astro Shaw Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, in a statement, said that the company was excited to bring the classic Malay films to Astro audience in Malaysia and Brunie.

"All the films will be screened after more than 10 years of not being shown on any Malaysian paid television platforms.

"We believe the 33 entertaining movies will definitely bring the audience back to the time the movies were popular and at the same introduce the new generation to classic Malay films.

"What’s even more special is these films are also a tribute to producers and production giants, as well as big names who've graced the Malay film industry such as Nordin Ahmad, Latifah Omar, Hajah Umi Kalsom, Mat Sentul and many others. We hope this initiative will be able to make local works of art always appreciated and not become obsolete," she said.

Great selections of movie

Among the 33 movies available are Pontianak Gua Musang, Sumpah Pontianak, Jula Juli Bintang Tiga, Tunang Pak Dukun, Dang Anom, and Chuchu Datuk Merah, which features music composed by Zubir Said, best known as the composer of Singapore's National Anthem.

The agreement represents a significant triumph for, I.E. Entertainment, launched on 8 April 2021 by the Suharjono sisters Indra and Erlina, with exclusive licensing rights to the iconic Cathay-Keris Films library.

The 33 movies headed for ASTRO represent a third of the 91 surviving titles representing a portion of Singapore's golden age of filmmaking, which ran through the 1950s and 1960s.

The titles depict stories indigenous to the Malay people of Singapore and Malaysia, display disappearing traditions and music, and reflect the time's social attitudes.