Cannes, 8 October, 2007 –NHK, MediaCorp, and KBS have selected three projects from Asian independent producers to commission as a part of their new initiative, The Asian Pitch. They will receive full funding for their documentary production.

The selected three directors and projects are:

Faiza Ahmed Khan (India) – Project title: Supermen of Malegaon  

Justin Ong Tat Tiong (Malaysia) – Project title: Subak  

Agung Mulya Setiawan (Indonesia) – Project title: The Mummy Theft from Toraja 

The Asian Pitch is a new initiative by the three Asian public broadcasters targeting independent directors who live and work in Asia, to tell original stories about the region. It aims to create new HD documentaries and find new talent in Asia. The finished programs will also be available internationally.

More than 130 proposals were submitted between January and April 2007 from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand. Three Executive producers from the three public broadcasters sat through 15 pitches presented by Asian directors on 19 July 2007 at MediaCorp, Caldecott Broadcast Centre.

NHK’s Mr. Junichi Katayama, Senior Producer, who was one of the jury members and who will be executive producing one of the programs recalls, "It was a pleasure to see so many original stories that we would not have been able to find on our own. We are very happy with the outcome and look forward to seeing the final version."

"There was a very good mix of ideas and we are even more convinced that there is a treasure trove of original stories waiting to be told from within Asia.  We look forward to sharing and learning with these directors." says Ms Ong Hee Yah, Managing Director, Caldecott Productions International. 

Mr Park Chung Yong, Chief Producer of KBS, says, "It has been great to get to know and work with the very talented independent documentary directors from all over Asia. I hope The Asian Pitch could serve as a perfect Asian window to the rest of the world."

The three programs will be released at MIPTV 2008.

Below are the synopses of each project:

1) Name of Director - Faiza Ahmed Khan
    Country -   India 
    Title - Supermen of Malegaon  

Synopsis - The documentary is about the making of the movie "Malegaon ka Superman'. Its a fascinating story of a motley crew of Malegaons for whom their filmmaking is a labor of love and not an enterprise in commercial interests. Juxtaposing the frenzied production activities against a stark socio-economic backdrop of Malegaon, the documentary reveals the cathartic and spellbinding importance of the 'magic of movies' on the people. Ironically, all this is not a sustained effort to rise above their exploitative milieu but merely a temporary escape into the fantastical world of films.

2) Name of Director -  Justin Ong Tat Tiong
    Country -   Malaysia 
    Title - Subak  

Synopsis - Bali has an age-old irrigation system which has, over the centuries, proven to be near perfect. It is called the 'Subak'. The underlying philosophy guiding the 'Subak' system is harmony. Mutual agreements govern planting cycles, the division of water resources, the financial contribution of members, and the rights and responsibilities of members. It is defined by the Hindu concept of 'tri hita karana' or 'three elements of happiness''. In the 1970s, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank attempted to 'improve' on the system by introducing the Bali Irrigation Project. Without consulting the locals, they introduced a new water distribution systems and pesticides to Bali. The project almost destroyed Bali's farming system. Since then, there has been a concerted effort to revive and fully reinstate the "Subak" system. The documentary will demonstrate how its possible for humans to live in harmony with nature through traditional methods and mutual cooperation 

 3) Name of Director -  Agung Mulya Setiawan
     Country - Indonesia   
     Title - The Mummy Theft from Toraja   

Synopsis – The frequency of MUMMY THEFT in Toraja has not ebbed at all. Ironically, RAMBU SOLO - an expensive funeral rite, held for ancestors regardless of the expense, has become an absurdity, when people desecrate their ancestors’ burial grounds. This is because the descendants are now in great poverty due to this expensive funeral rite. This documentary features a villager who turns into a mummy theft, when he is trapped in the vicious cycle of debts after his family throws an expensive funeral for an ancestor.  

For more information, please contact:

Shialey Tan
Manager, International Business 
Content Development International Markets
Caldecott Productions International
Tel: (65) 6350 3212
Fax: (65) 6259 2062
E-mail: shialeytan@mmediacorp.com.sg

About Caldecott Productions International Pte Ltd

Caldecott Productions International Pte Ltd is MediaCorp’s HD company with a key focus on producing and distributing high quality HD Asian documentaries for an international market. Our specialty is in producing original stories that champion the lives of the common people because their stories are worth telling. Our main subject matter is centred on social and human interest issues with respect to the environment and unique cultures in India, China and Indonesia. We work with some of the most creative independent directors in Asia for authenticity and local perspectives.

About NHK

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan’s sole public broadcaster. Funded entirely by receiving fees from Japanese households, it has a reputation for impartial, high-quality programming. Through its five nationwide TV channels (two terrestrial and three satellite, one of which is HD), NHK reaches about 47 million households. It holds a network of 54 stations across Japan and 29 locations around the world and produces 80–90% of its programs in-house. Reflecting long experience with HDTV, it makes 90% of its major programs in HDTV. Most of NHK’s programs are made available internationally through its affiliate MICO (Media International Corporation).

About KBS

As key public service broadcaster of Korea, Korean Broadcasting System strives to move forward to the age of digitalization, creating a new chapter in its varied and exuberant history. "Window of Asia" is the broadcasting guideline in reflection of our efforts to be a voice of the region by producing the content which is creative, caring and respects the heritage and tradition of this increasingly important part of the world. KBS has been broadcasting HD programs since 2001 from news & documentary to drama. And starting in 2013, all programs will be produced & broadcast in HD.