Director Alejandro Hidalgo, known for “The Exorcism of God,” is attached to helm the supernatural horror project “The Hungry One.” The film unfolds against the backdrop of Malaysia’s Hungry Ghost Festival and is currently in pre-production as producers work to secure the final portion of its financing.
Plot and production details
The story centers on an American woman named Emily, her Chinese Malaysian husband Simon, and their son Louis. During a summer stay at Simon’s family mansion that coincides with the 15-day festival—a period when the dead are believed to mingle with the living—Emily becomes targeted by a vengeful presence attempting to cross over. She must investigate the home’s hidden past to protect her family.
Filmmaker and entrepreneur Justin Leong is driving the project through Los Angeles-based Lightning Pictures, drawing on his own family’s traditions and ties to Malaysian-Chinese culture.
Sales and creative team
Kuala Lumpur-based Abnormal Studios is handling worldwide sales and is introducing the project at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market. Singapore-based Clover Films has already acquired rights for Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The creative team features producer Harrison Allen, an Academy Award winner for the live-action short “The Singers,” and Thomas Percy Kim. Screenwriter Justin Parker, whose credits include HBO’s “Station Eleven” and the docuseries “Religion of Sports,” worked on the development of the script.
