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Malaysian TV viewers can expect a tearjerker of a local film to come their way
mid-2026, as a new made-for-TV movie has just been announced last Sunday.
Grandpa by the Ocean is the upcoming Mandarin television film from Saga Film Sdn Bhd, made with support from the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).
Veteran actor Kenji Sawahii will be directing the film, as well as playing the lead role while brothers Arthur Teo and Vic Teo will be producing and composing for the film, respectively. Other cast members include the MyFM announcer Aaron Bosco and actors April Chan, Eric Chen and Rabbit Chen.
The movie is expected to be filmed locally, with shooting sites including Sekinchan and Kuala Lumpur. Shooting will begin next Monday, with the movie expected to be released between July and August 2026.
The story
Set in a Malaysian coastal village, Grandpa by the Ocean follows Hong Guang Hai, an elderly man living in sorrow after his grandson Hong Zifeng was kidnapped.
After spending nearly two decades looking and waiting for Zifeng, Guang Huai is on the verge of giving up when Zifeng finally reappears. However, Zifeng is not the same innocent soul he once was, as he has since fallen in league with criminals based
in Kuala Lumpur.
Guang Hai refuses to give up on his prodigal grandson, however, and Zifeng ultimately has to decide between embracing the life he remembers and accepting the life he now lives.
Brotherly project
Befitting a film themed around family, the film production is also to be a family affair, with brothers Arthur and Vic working together for the first time on a large-scale project.
Arthur is a Malaysia-based filmmaker attached to Saga Film, who has previously worked on commercials, branded content, documentaries and short films. Grandpa by the Ocean marks his big-budget debut on the small screen.
Vic, on the other hand, is a more familiar face on Hong Kong television. He was actually a runner-up on 2004’s Malaysian Idol, before later joining the TVB talent show Midlife, Sing & Shine! 3. For Grandpa by the Ocean, he will be contributing an original song made by him.
Speaking to theSun, Arthur said: “I feel honoured and very happy. It is the first time I’m working with my brother. He is a very good music producer, and this is a blessing from God, allowing us to work together.
He also said that by featuring Sekinchan heavily in Grandpa by the Ocean, he hopes to show audiences just how cinematic and scenic this part of Malaysia can be. Additionally, he hopes the film will eventually be distributed to foreign audiences in places like Hong Kong and Singapore. “Hopefully, everybody will have the opportunity to watch this.”
Meanwhile, Vic said having an opportunity to work with his brother is an “amazing” thing. “I am a musician and a singer, but I have always wanted to be involved in moviemaking. Rarely have I gotten the chance to take part in a movie, to act or to make music.”
“So, when my brother said he was producing a movie and he asked me to be part of it, I realised this was the first time I could officially work with him. I will be composing the theme song for Grandpa by the Ocean, and I will be doing the singing.”
When asked who is responsible and who is playful, both brothers claimed they were the playful ones.
“I think I’m the playful one! But in terms of responsibilities, I think we’ll both do our duties,” said Arthur. “When I’m working, I’m very serious, but when I’m not, I’m very playful,” added Victor.
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