- “Crazy Rich Asians” (2018) – This romantic comedy-drama features the city of Kuala Lumpur and showcases the opulent lifestyle of wealthy families in Singapore, which includes a memorable scene set in Malaysia.
- “Anna and the King” (1999) – This historical drama film follows the story of Anna Leonowens, an English governess who works for the King of Siam. While the majority of the movie is set in Thailand, some scenes were filmed in the beautiful Malaysian state of Penang.
- “Entrapment” (1999) – Starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, this action thriller involves a high-stakes heist that takes place in Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
- “The Sleeping Dictionary” (2003) – Set in the 1930s, this romantic drama explores the relationship between a young English man and a local woman in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo.
- “Kl Zombi” (2013) – A addition to the list, this Malaysian horror-comedy revolves around a group of people fighting off a zombie outbreak in Kuala Lumpur.
- “The Garden of Evening Mists” by Tan Twan Eng – This critically acclaimed novel tells the story of Yun Ling Teoh, a survivor of a Japanese POW camp, as she seeks solace in the highlands of Cameron, Malaysia. It explores themes of memory, love, and the impact of war.
- “The Gift of Rain” by Tan Twan Eng – Another novel by Tan Twan Eng, this book is set in Penang during World War II. It follows the life of Philip Hutton, a young half-Chinese, half-English man, who becomes involved with a Japanese diplomat and martial arts master.
- “The Harmony Silk Factory” by Tash Aw – Set in English-controlled Malaya, this novel delves into the life of textile merchant Johnny Lim. It explores themes of identity, colonialism, and power, showcasing the complex relationships between different ethnic groups during that era.
- “Evening Is the Whole Day” by Preeta Samarasan – This novel takes place in Ipoh, Malaysia, and follows the story of the Rajasekharan family. It provides a vivid portrayal of Malaysian society and delves into the conflicts and secrets within the multi-generational Tamil-Malaysian family.
- “Tokyo Cancelled” by Rana Dasgupta – While not solely set in Malaysia, one of the stories in this collection, “Kuala Lumpur,” is set in the Malaysian capital. This fictional tale follows a young woman named Kayu as she explores the city streets at night and encounters various strangers
WANDERLIST: Malaysia in books and on film
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