Local Sci-Fi Flicks 'Mantera' Premiers On May 17

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- A local science fiction movie "Mantera" touted to be of international standard will premier in Malaysian cinemas on May 17, production company Flare Studios Sdn Bhd said. The film, which costs RM8.5 million (US$2.76 million) to produce, was shot locally as well as in several locations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Russia. Mantera is the abbreviation for "MAN Transformable Exo-Robotic Armor" and directed by young director Aliyar Ali Kuthy, with Shan Mugaa as the cinematographer. The film stars Tomok, the winner of the One in a Million reality show, and tells the story of a boy named Azman who discovered a nano-technology glove which can transform his motorbike into a body armor and also give outstanding strength and superhuman speed to its wearer. Others local actors include Shiqin Kamal as the heroine, Faezah Elai, Yang Kassim and Jayson Lee. The international actors are Wael Al-Masri, Mikhail Dorojkin, martial art actor from Russian Saide Dashuk, Daria Markova and Ukraine pop singer and 2008 Miss World winner Natalya Shmarenkova @ "Kamaliya". Mantera is a second film produced by the Flare Studios after the "Muhammad, Utusan Terakhir" animation in 2003. Flare Studios is the earliest 3D animation company in Malaysia and has produced 3D and hybrid cartoons series for local television stations including "Mr. Ice" and "Tandania". -- BERNAMA