‘Gu Jiang’ Penang Premiere: Philip Keung and Bryan Lai Share Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Co-directed by ‘The Finger Job’ director Bryan Woo and ‘Paskal’ cinematographer Yang Junlin, and produced by Xie Junhang, ‘Gu Jiang’ held its premiere on Tuesday night at Mega Cineplex, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. Bryan Lai, who plays a YouTuber, joked during an interview that there are many ways to avoid being ‘cursed’, and his approach was to go fully nude; thus, there’s a scene in the film where he is completely naked.

At this moment, Hong Kong actor Philip Keung, playing a sorcerer for the first time, revealed that Lai did not wear any clothes, not even underwear. Especially on the first day of filming, after ‘seeing something’, Lai chose not to wear underwear as a way to ‘ward off evil’, which drew laughs from the audience.

Philip Keung also admitted that when first invited, he had some concerns. His family was worried and thought the subject was very spooky, asking him not to take the role. However, he thought it was just acting, and since there was a ceremony held for protection, he could proceed with peace of mind.

He said that sorcery is not necessarily just for harm — it can also help people, so he didn’t think there was a big problem.

On the premiere night, around a thousand fans attended to catch a glimpse of the stars. Actors Philip Keung, Yong Kai Hong, Ma Yiduo, and Bryan Lai also interacted up close with fans, introducing their roles and sharing unforgettable moments and experiences from the filming process.

The film ‘Gu Jiang’ began its research and preparation in 2022, and has drawn much attention since filming began in May 2024 due to its bold theme. ‘Gu Jiang’ will officially hit cinemas across Malaysia on March 19.

At the premiere, Malaysia Tourism Board Vice Chairman Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin said the film began shooting at Damai Cave in Kuala Lumpur. The location itself is full of mystery, and combined with the creative touch of the movie team, he believes it will surely leave a deep impression on the audience.

He said that for Malaysia, movies are not only entertainment but also an important ‘tourism ambassador’. Many tourists visit a place simply because they’ve seen it in a film and were attracted by it.

He pointed out that Penang is a great example—there is not only great food here, but also culture, history and stories. So, more films are very welcome to shoot in Penang, allowing the world to get to know Penang and fall in love with Malaysia through movies.

He said that in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, they will continue to promote ‘film and tourism’, and he hopes to see more works like ‘Gu Jiang’ in the future, bringing Malaysia onto a bigger international stage.

He joked, ‘When I walked in just now, I was wondering whether everyone was here to watch a movie or to test their courage tonight?’