Shudder Acquires Rights to Fantastic Fest & Sitges Film Festival Selection ‘Blood Flower’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One would think that November would be the perfect time for the hard-working folks at Shudder to rest. After all, they’re coming off of a massive 61-day Halloween celebration, one that featured some stunning movies and programming, and with the holidays basically underway… why not kick back and have a nap? But that’s simply not how the folks at Shudder work. For they understand that horror is a year-round venture and while others might be kicking back and relaxing this time of year, the folks behind the scenes at Shudder are still plugging along to bring us the best in horror, as evidenced by today’s announcement.

For earlier, the network let it be known that they have acquired the rights to Blood Flower. A Malaysian horror film (also known as Harum Malam), which also happened to be a Fantastic Fest and Sitges Film Festival selection and well, not only does this reinforce our point… but it also builds great excitement for this movie. Because it looks to be quite the unique ride, one that… well… it’s best we let Shudder describe it. So, without further ado, here are all the details on this upcoming release, courtesy of the finest horror streamer out there.
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‘Shudder, AMC Network’s premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has acquired rights to the Malaysian horror Blood Flower (Harum Malam) from director Dain Said (Interchange, Bunohan, Dukun). The film, an official selection of Fantastic Fest and the Sitges Film Festival, will be available exclusively on Shudder in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
 
“One of next year’s most frightening films, Blood Flower (Harum Malam) is a special kind of haunter. We’re thrilled to bring the bold voice of director Dain Said to the service, and to make Blood Flower (Harum Malam) our first Shudder Original from Malaysia.”
 
Added director Dain Said, “My ghost in Blood Flower (Harum Malam) needs a place to haunt, and in Shudder it has found a home to spill blood and do its evil deeds.”
 
Blood Flower (Harum Malam) tells the story of Iqbal, a 16-year-old apprentice faith healer and exorcist, tormented by visions of the dead and spirits from other dimensions. When a malicious spirit begins to wreak havoc around him, Iqbal is forced to harness his supernatural gifts to save his family and friends.
 
Written by Said, Nandita Solomon and Ben Omar, Blood Flower (Harum Malam) stars Idan Aedan, Bront Palarae and Remy Ishak and is produced by Apparat in collaboration with Skop Productions and D’Ayu Pictures. The film was also produced with support from the Malaysian National Film Development Board (Finas). Reel Suspects is handling sales for the rest of the world.
 
The deal was negotiated by XYZ Film’s Pip Ngo on behalf of the filmmakers, and Emily Gotto, VP, Global Acquisitions & Co-Productions on behalf of Shudder.
 
About Shudder
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.
 
About XYZ Films
XYZ Films is an independent studio whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. XYZ was founded in 2008 by Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer and Aram Tertzakian and has expanded in recent years into documentary, talent management, and distribution. Some of the company’s classic titles include THE RAID franchise, 2017 Sundance winner I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, and Panos Cosmatos' psychedelic revenge thriller MANDY.   
 
XYZ’s current projects include THE BLACK KAISER starring Mads Mikkelsen, HOUNDS OF WAR starring Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick and Rhona Mitra, and the Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead film SOMETHING IN THE DIRT which premiered at Sundance 2022. Its current slate also includes Nic Cassavetes’ GOD IS A BULLET starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maika Monroe and Jamie Foxx, NOCEBO directed by Lorcan Finnegan with Eva Green and Mark Strong, and ACCUSED from BAFTA-nominated BOILING POINT director Phillip Barantini. XYZ is in post-production on the Netflix Original HAVOC, directed by Gareth Evans and starring Tom Hardy and Forrest Whitaker.’

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