A film inspired by Malaysia’s qualification to the Moscow Olympics in 1980 is making a killing in the cinema, reaping RM2.5 million in its first four days of screening.

‘Ola Bola’, which features a multi-racial cast much like the 1980 Malaysian football team, opened on Jan 28 and is screening at 126 cinemas in Malaysia and Brunei.

According to Astro chief operations officer Henry Tan, the film is successful because it goes beyond entertainment.

“Ola Bola is not just about football. It’s a film for everyone because it speaks of determination and the Malaysian spirit.

“It preaches unity, but ‘Ola Bola’ does this through comedy,” he said.

The film is produced by Astro, directed by Chiu Keng Guan and stars Bront Palarae, JC Chee, Luqman Hafidz, Saran Kumar Manokaran, Marianne Tan, Katrina Ho and Frankie Lee.

Read the full story at Malaysiakini ’s SENI section.