Like James Bond, Agent Wong (Julian Cheah) has a romantic moment with a mysterious woman (Monica de Caro) in 'Killmaster'. Photos: Handout
Inspired by his teenage experience watching a James Bond film in London in 1981, Malaysian director-actor Julian Cheah is determined to revive the glamour spy genre.
His latest film, Killmaster, follows an Asian secret agent Alex Wong (Cheah) – codename Killmaster – as he tracks down terrorists, taking him from Asia to the Spanish island of Ibiza.
Along the way, he engages in shootouts and fistfights, and even enjoys a romantic night with a mysterious beauty, played by Chilean model-actress Monica de Caro.
“A lot of films today are gritty and dark. Is it really cool to set scenes in a nightclub or a dark alley?” Cheah remarked at a press meet after the preview of Killmaster.
“I want to do something different. I want to bring back the glamour of the Roger Moore-era Bond films – The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979) and For Your Eyes Only (1981).
“That’s the style I want to revive, not the grittier approach of the Daniel Craig years.”
Due to budget constraints, however, Cheah – who self- financed the film – had to forgo some of the things that James Bond films are known for such as high-tech cars, cool gadgets and lavish party scenes.
Instead, audiences will see Cheah’s character take down villains with guns and hand-to-hand combat, often against the lush green backdrop of Penang, where most of the filming took place, as well as in Ibiza.
The film’s music also nods to the genre, with a score that pays homage to John Barry, who largely contributed to the Bond films in the 1960s and 1970s.For de Caro, Killmaster was a fun outing as she had always dreamt of performing action scenes on screen.
“This was my first time doing an action film ... I hope it’s a good start for me to do more,” said the South American beauty, who makes her Malaysian film debut with this role.
Monica de Caro says she’s always dreamt of doing an action movie. Photo: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Meanwhile, Cheah hopes Killmaster will win over audiences and give him the chance to expand the genre further.
“For my next movie, I want to go bigger – car chases, boat chases, motorbikes and big stunts.
“I’m really hoping Killmaster succeeds in Malaysia, because that will allow me to take things to the next level.
“If I can’t achieve that, I don’t think I’d want to make another film,” he admitted.
Later, with a laugh, he added: “But I always say this could be my last movie. Six months later, I change my mind.”
But it’s a gamble he’s willing to keep taking.
“I’ve made films before with my own money and lost money, but I still believe something will eventually work.
“That belief is what drives me,” said Cheah, who has directed films spanning action-adventure, romance, thriller, horror and comedy such as Killer Clown (2009), Prince Of The City (2012), Wild Justice (2014) and Mah’s Journey (2022).
There are plenty of action sequences filmed in Penang.
“This time we’re trying a Bond-style movie, and hopefully audiences will respond. Losing money doesn’t hurt me, because this is my vocation.
“Ever since I queued up at that London cinema back in 1981 and watched that Bond film, I knew this was what I was meant to do.
“I’ll never forget how the crowd cheered from the first scene to the last.
“That joy, that energy – that’s what I want to recreate with my movies. I want people to feel that same happiness.”
Killmaster is showing at selected cinemas since Sept 25.
