‘Exorcism of God’ Director Alejandro Hidalgo to Helm Malaysian Hungry Ghost Festival Horror ‘The Hungry One’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Alejandro Hidalgo, director of “The Exorcism of God”, is set to helm “The Hungry One”, a supernatural horror film set during Malaysia’s Hungry Ghost Festival. The project matters for its focus on Malaysian-Chinese traditions and a festival rarely seen on screen, while international sales and regional distribution deals are already taking shape.
The story follows American woman Emily, her Chinese Malaysian husband Simon and their son Louis as they stay at his family’s mansion during the festival’s 15 days, when the dead are believed to mingle with the living. A vengeful presence targets Emily, prompting her to uncover the house’s past to protect her family. The film is in pre-production, with producers seeking the final part of its financing; Clover Films has acquired rights in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Alejandro Hidalgo will direct Malaysian festival horror film “The Hungry One”.
- The story centres on a family threatened during the 15-day Hungry Ghost Festival.
- Clover Films has acquired rights in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
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Malaysia's Hungry Ghost Festival is a significant observance in the Chinese-Malaysian community, marking a 15-day period when the spirits of the dead are believed to walk among the living. The festival is central to cultural and spiritual practices in the region, yet it remains relatively unfamiliar to international audiences and is rarely featured in major film productions.
The Hungry One, directed by horror filmmaker Alejandro Hidalgo, tells the story of an American woman named Emily who finds herself caught in supernatural events whilst staying at her Malaysian-Chinese husband's family home during the festival period. As a vengeful presence begins to target Emily, she must investigate the mansion's history to understand the dangers threatening her family.
The project reflects growing international interest in horror and supernatural stories rooted in non-Western cultural traditions and belief systems. By setting a narrative within the Hungry Ghost Festival and Malaysian-Chinese practices, the film brings a lesser-known cultural observance to a wider global audience.
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