Private Project

The Returning

In 1972, September 13th a grieving tragedy occurred in Parit Buntar, Malaysia. Where a ferry sank, carrying 20 passengers on board. Tragically all lives were lost, among them were 17 young students.
The local citizens blame it on Ah Han although it was an unintentional negligence of him. Ah Han the bus driver became hated by locals.
Even after twelve years, Ah Han still can’t forget pain and remorse of that tragic incident.
One day, Ah Han suddenly got mad and ran out the house, and went missing. The next day, Ah Han 's body was found floating by the river.
Because of the loss of her father, Ah Han’s daughter, Ah Mei decided to return to the hometown to seek the truth. She started the odyssey of the "home" tour.

  • David Thian
    Director
  • LAI CHAING MING
    Writer
  • ADRIAN LOH
    Producer
  • ALVIN MAH
    Producer
  • David Thian
    Producer
  • Jean Tan
    Key Cast
  • Remon Lim
    Key Cast
  • Steve Yap
    Key Cast
  • Sherlyn Seo
    Key Cast
  • Kevin Soo
    Key Cast
  • KENZ KOH
    Director of Photography
  • Chan Tai Beng
    Production Designer
  • Tulakorn Tiewthong
    VFX & CGI
  • Ekachai Milintapas
    VFX & CGI
  • Chayut Skhthanarut
    VFX & CGI
  • Theeraphat Nithivanich
    VFX & CGI
  • Narubett Peamyai
    Sound Design
  • Nudorn Thongkum
    Sound Design
  • Traithep Wongpaiboon
    Sound Design
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    913 回家
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 43 minutes 48 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 24, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    472,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Malaysia
  • Country of Filming:
    Malaysia
  • Language:
    Chinese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:33
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Mega Film Distribution Sdn. Bhd.
    Country: Malaysia
    Rights: Theatrical
Director Biography - David Thian

David Thian is known as one of the top famous photographers in the Northern region of Malaysia, at the same time he ventures into directing and producing films.
In his early career vocation, he tinkered in photography, digital arts, graphic designs, 2D animations, web designs, and advertising.

In 2006, he started his own photo studio called davidthian.com where he did photography for weddings, engagements, commercial, personal and family portraits, fashion and modelling, kids and other related photography works. The company is still up and running to day. However, he had moved on to cinematography when he started another company in 20 11 called Luvotion Production, where he worked alongside Geoffrey Leow—the partners of Luvotion Production is a video production studio based in Malaysia, producing videos for weddings, short film, commercial and advertisement.

Two years later, he founded Pretty Garbage Magazine, which he also took up a role as an editor. In the year 2016, he started DAA Production with the role as a producer and director in the company. With over a decade of experience, the company has boldly venture into producing the company’s first film alongside the Utopians. It was also Utopia Entertainment’s first in-house film where David directed the movie himself.

The film,< 9.13 The Returning>, is a thriller/horror movie inspired by the 1972 national sensation concerning a river tragedy which had been released in September 2017.

Otherwise, David also represent as a production designer in the film. He have excellent visual awareness and design skills and expert knowledge of many art and design-related subjects including draughtsmanship, technical drawing, colour theory, architecture, building and construction, history of design, interior design, cameras and lenses, lighting. So that he would rather to supervise all the concept and ideas by himself.

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Director Statement

David is one of the key person that initiated the movie 913, he stressed not on the reenactment of the true tragedy event that happened in 1972 but the events and story left behind by the tragedy. Although this movie is a horror film the storyline brings you back to the nature of humans and their interactions and he wants the audience to feel it, the final message That David is trying to bring out is “ To Let Go ”by letting go, the deceased can only Rest in Peace, the living can only get on with their lives.
David, Chose to shoot his 1st ever film at his birthplace, the reasons behind that is 1. sufficient resources, 2.the amount of support from locals. Even though with the pressure of shooting where the tragedy happened, David did not feel pressured, instead he insists of this invisible pressure that he will bring out the story through the camera lens and the scenes chosen.
The preparation of this film started 5 years before it was shot, and only received enough investments 2 years before shooting and finally the shooting happened, our team convict of a good mix of veteran and amateurs, it was a great experience for the whole crew.