What do hit film Crazy Rich Asians and BBC's latest period drama The Singapore Grip have in common?
Well, the most obvious one would be that both the film and TV show, set in Singapore, were filmed in Malaysia.
The Singapore Grip, premiering on BBC First (unifi TV Ch 481) and BBC Player tomorrow (Nov 6), was shot at various locations in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
The cast and crew filmed at places such as Carcosa Seri Negara, Royal Selangor Club, TUDM Sungai Besi, Coliseum Cafe and Church Of Our Lady Of Lourdes in the Klang Valley; and Chinatown, Esplanade, Blue Mansion and Cheah Kongsi in Penang.
When asked why they choose to shoot in Malaysia and not Singapore, producer Farah Abushwesha said in a press statement: “A lot of people ask why we didn’t film in Singapore. This is a drama set midway through World War II, about the Japanese invasion of Singapore.
"Singapore is now so built up... you wouldn’t be able to film what we’ve been able to in Malaysia. (Malaysia) gives us this colonial feel. Malaysia gave us options that I don’t think anywhere else in the region would."
Oscar-winning writer Christopher Hampton added: “Malaysia was the logical decision, especially as some of (the book) was already set in Penang and it was discovered that lots of other locations could be found in Penang.”
Based on a novel by J.G. Farrell, The Singapore Grip tells the story of a wealthy British family as they struggle to preserve their business amid WWII.
Lead actor Luke Treadaway says he enjoyed shooting at Carcosa Seri Negara for some of his scenes.
"The houses were in central Kuala Lumpur but in an area with lots of trees and open spaces. You couldn’t tell you were actually in a massive city. It was truly amazing,” he said in a statement from BBC.
His co-star Charles Dance took the opportunity to get acquainted with the sights and sounds of Malaysia while filming here.
"Kuala Lumpur was just astonishing. What I tend to do when I go to new places is I pound the streets. I maybe go to one or two tourist places, but I’m happier just going off, walking, exploring and listening to people. It really is an extraordinary place,” the actor who played Tywin Lannister in Game Of Thrones, said of his experience in Malaysia.
But there's one thing that bothered Dance – the heat.
"I’ve worked in India and South Africa in the summer, but Kuala Lumpur was serious heat," Dance said.
"The trick is to turn off the air conditioning so that you don’t keep getting hot and then cold. Your body has to take it in. Unfortunately, when you have to look reasonably presentable you do have to depend on the air conditioning though. The other trick is to walk very, very slowly."
All six episodes of The Singapore Grip will premiere tomorrow (Nov 6) on BBC First (unifi TV Ch 481) and BBC Player.
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