The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines

The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines is a 2011 Malaysian epic action film loosely based on the 16th century historical document of the same name. Released in Malaysia under the Malay-language title Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, the film is directed, co-written, and co-produced by Yusry Abdul Halim. Narrating the early history of the state of Kedah, it stars Stephen Rahman Hughes as Merong Mahawangsa, who escorted Prince Marcus Carprenius of the Roman Empire to Langkasuka to marry Princess Meng Li Hua from the Han Dynasty of China, thus uniting the two powers of east and west. The aim for the making of this film is to introduce the rich history and culture of the Malay world internationally. This film is produced and distributed by KRU Studios.

The budget for this film is estimated at around RM8 million, the second most expensive film ever made in Malaysia behind Puteri Gunung Ledang (which costed around RM16.6 million). This film uses CGI technology to save costs and to reconstruct the Malay Archipelago in 2nd century A.D..

This film was shown for the first time during a royal presentation on February 25. It is playing in cinemas nationwide beginning on March 10, 2011.

Synopsis
In the year 120, the powerful Roman Empire, under the reign of Hadrian, had expanded its rule to the Central Asian countries. While the Roman forces were repairing their vessels in Goa, they asked for help from Merong Mahawangsa to accompany their prince to Langkasuka (said to be located in northern Malaysia) to marry a beautiful princess of China's Han Dynasty. However, pirates of the Garuda clan decided to kidnap the Princess of China and held her hostage. At the end of irrigation Strait of Malacca, Merong Mahawangsa and the fleet were attacked by Garuda.

Cast

 * Stephend Rahman Hughes: Merong Mahawangsa, hero from Kedah, Malay. He is the main character of the film.
 * Dato 'Haji Rahim Razali: Kesum, a Malay medicine man who knew Merong since he was young.
 * Umm Nazeera: Embok, Merong's lover.
 * Khir Rahman: Kamawas, Taji's student, and a pirate who kidnapped Princess Meng Li Hua.
 * Jehan Miskin: Embi.
 * Nell Ng: Ying Ying.
 * Umie Aida: Lang, Merong Mahawangsa's mother.
 * Mano Maniam: Host in Goa.
 * Maya Karin: Host in Goa.
 * Jing Lusi: Meng Li Hua, Princess of China.
 * Gavin Stenhouse: Marcus, Prince of the Roman Empire.
 * Craig Robert Fong: Liu Yun, Admiral of China.
 * Eric Karl Henrik Norman: Lycius, Admiral of Rome.
 * Keith Chong: Emperor of China.
 * Deborah Henry: Yesoddhra.
 * Wan Hanafi Su: Taji, Geruda's leader.
 * Kuswadinata: Phra Ong.