Southeast Asian folklore meets Taiwanese culture in the new mini-series “Pontianaks in Taiwan.” This project follows two undead supernatural beings on a road trip across Taiwan and is currently in development. The series was unveiled at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF).
The story revolves around two Pontianaks, who are bloodthirsty female vampires from Malay folklore. These characters leave Singapore in search of a new home in Taiwan. Goh Ming Siu, the creator, co-writer, executive producer, and director, draws inspiration from classic Hong Kong horror-comedies, particularly the “Mr. Vampire” series.
Goh expressed his fascination with local and regional folk tales, noting that they are rarely represented outside their native areas. “In this story, I’ve merged two of my favorite things to share my love for Southeast Asian folklore with the world,” he said.
The series addresses important themes of immigration and belonging. Karl Gan, executive producer and co-writer, explained that the main question the Pontianaks grapple with is, “What is home?” He noted that this question resonates with many young people today as they navigate issues related to immigration and establishing roots.
Holly Chan, producer and writer, emphasized the series’ unique cultural perspective. “Comedy and cross-cultural narratives have always been close to my heart,” she stated. Chan sees great comedic potential in placing these “monstrous” characters in distinctly Taiwanese settings.
The series will feature two actresses of Malay ethnicity who will speak Mandarin, enhancing its cross-cultural appeal. The production team plans to begin script development and financing throughout 2025.
Production is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, with a target release date set for the first quarter of 2027.
Goh Ming Siu is an award-winning filmmaker with over 20 years of experience in Singapore’s media industry. His feature film “Repossession” (2019) has won multiple awards.
Karl Gan has notable credits including co-creating and head writing “The Last Bout” (2024). He received an International Emmy nomination for Best Comedy for “Fam!” (2018) and created the Audible series “Therapy Z” (2022).
Holly Chan is the founder of Neverland Entertainment and is recognized for producing stories featuring strong female protagonists and immigrants. Her work includes several Golden Bell-winning productions.
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