HBO Asia unveils more originals

HBO Asia has revealed more details of its line-up of original productions, which include an anthology series, a sci-fi thriller and a crime drama.

Jonathan Spink

To date, HBO Asia has produced and aired 15 of its own productions and has pledged to expand its slate further in the coming years.

Food Lore (8×60′) is an anthology series that explores the human condition with narratives inspired by and showcased through the perspectives of Asian cuisines, HBO Asia said.

Helmed by Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo, the series is shot in eight countries across Asia and directed by talent including Don Aravind (Singapore), Billy Christian (Indonesia), Takumi Saitoh (Japan), Ho Yuhang (Malaysia), Erik Matti (Philippines), Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Thailand) and Phan Dang Di (Vietnam).

It is produced as part of a two-year partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority in Singapore.

Dream Raider (8×60′), announced late last year, marks HBO Asia’s first sci-fi series and brings together production expertise from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Set in the near future, it features a misfit team of scientists and cops that are trying to get to the bottom of a criminal conspiracy that exploits human consciousness.

The series opens with a police officer investigating a case of missing girls and uncovers a mysterious cutting-edge technology that enables people to enter the dreamscapes of others. The series is produced with the support of the Taipei Film Commission and Taipei Cultural Foundation.

Talent attached includes Vivian Hsu, David Wang, Jason Wang, Weber Yang, Ellen Wu, Cheang Pou-Soi, Daniel Fu, Simon Hung and Freeman Xiang.

The World Between Us (10×60′), meanwhile, follows the aftermath of a mass shooting and is set to debut this month. Filmed entirely in Taiwan, the series features a local ensemble cast including Alyssa Chia, James Wen and Wu Kang-Jen.

The series is directed by Lin Chun-Yang and written by screenwriter Lu Shih-Yuan. The series is produced by Taiwanese broadcaster Public Television Service and will be jointly distributed by HBO Asia and CatchPlay outside of Asia.

The Teenage Psychic is HBO Asia’s second returning series since the regional network’s first original production in 2012. The coming-of-age Taiwanese drama, which follows a psychic born with the ability to see spirits, will return for a 8×60′ run.

All upcoming HBO Asia Originals will be available exclusively on HBO Asia’s network of channels including HBO, HBO’s online streaming platform, HBO Go and on-demand service HBO On Demand.

HBO Asia’s originals have also been previously made available in territories outside of Asia on HBO España, HBO Nordic and HBO Europe.

Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia, said: “Over the past seven years, we recognise the significance and importance of locally produced programming. We are encouraged to learn that our Asian productions are working well across the region, especially those in local languages.”