Singapore, 27 August 2021 – Screenworks Asia, a production subsidiary of Taiwan’s major content distributor and streaming platform CATCHPLAY, and Singapore’s largest content creator Mediacorp today announced Twisted Strings, a new Chinese-language anthology series borne out of a collaboration forged between both parties in December 2020. The series is also produced in partnership with Bossdom.
The anthology 7x60’ series, executive produced by renowned filmmaker, Hou Hsiao-hsien, will co-premiere as an HBO Asia Original in early 2022 on WarnerMedia’s streaming service HBO GO and HBO in Asia, and as a CATCHPLAY Original on the CATCHPLAY+ streaming service in Taiwan and Indonesia. It will also be available via Mediacorp’s digital platform meWATCH in Singapore thereafter.
Currently in post-production, Twisted Strings is produced by CATCHPLAY’s newly established production arm, SCREENWORKS ASIA, in partnership with Taiwan’s Bossdom and Singapore’s Mediacorp. It is written and directed by Golden Horse-nominated director, Huang Xi, who has worked with Hou on films including The Assassin (2015). Huang’s debut film Missing Johnny was awarded Best Screenplay at the 2017 Taipei Film Awards.
The series stars an ensemble award-winning cast and crew including Golden Horse-winning actor, Lee Kang-sheng. This is Lee’s first lead role in a series after having starred in films for the past 30 years. Lee, who won Best Actor at the 1994 Golden Horse Awards, 2013 Asia Pacific Film Festival, and the 2014 and 2020 Taipei Film Awards, said he was intrigued by the script’s unique humour and that the role was like nothing he had ever portrayed before.
Magdalene Ew, WarnerMedia’s Head of Content – Entertainment for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “Though we’ve got 10 originals from Taiwan under our belt already, Twisted Strings will be our first anthology series from there. Following the success and popularity of our other originals including The World Between Us and Trinity of Shadows, it’s great to once again work with CATCHPLAY as well as a standout assembly of talent.”
Daphne Yang, CEO of the CATCHPLAY Group, added: "We are thrilled to be announcing our 3rd CATCHPLAY Original series this year. Following the success of Trinity of Shadows and The Making of an Ordinary Woman 2, we are honoured to be exploring this new genre with a dream crew led by director Hou Hsiao-hsien and through international production and distribution partnerships with WarnerMedia, Mediacorp and Bossdom. We hope to keep bringing the best of Asian entertainment content to international audiences around the world.”
Virginia Lim, Chief Content Officer, Mediacorp, said: "We are delighted to have collaborated with Screenworks Asia and other partners on Twisted Strings and leveraged each other's talents and creative strengths to produce this gripping anthology series for audiences across the region. The involvement of many accomplished award-winning industry veterans is also a huge highlight of this collaboration, and we can’t wait to share the final outcome of our partnership with viewers."
Mark Chang, Chairman of Taiwan’s Bossdom, said: “We spend lots of effort to expand the business in the entertainment industry. Twisted Strings is a stunning project, especially the script. I'm delighted to work with Screenworks and all the partners in this project.”
With the support of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), Director Huang Xi and lead actor Lee Kang-sheng will attend the Series Mania Forum in France, Lille, on August 30.
This series marks the third original project by the regional content and streaming service player, CATCHPLAY, just nine months after the recent establishment of its production subsidiary, Screenworks Asia, jointly backed by TAICCA.
Media contact
Mark Tan
Communications Specialist
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
mark.tan@mediacorp.com.sg
About Mediacorp
Mediacorp is Singapore’s national media network and largest content creator. Its purpose is to create engaging and trusted content, as well as to connect communities and inspire people. Mediacorp engages over three million people in Singapore daily across four languages on its digital platforms including meWATCH, meLISTEN and CNA.asia, six TV channels and 11 radio stations. Beyond Singapore, Mediacorp also has a growing international audience through CNA and content distributed across markets.
With a focus on nurturing talent and growing the sector, the company is committed to investing in nation-wide initiatives like Star Search, Anugerah, Yaar Antha Star and SPOP, commissioning a wide variety of work from local content creators, and collaborating with institutes of higher learning. As Singapore’s first local Multi-Channel Network in partnership with YouTube, Mediacorp is also committed to developing a network of digital content creators.
For advertisers, Mediacorp has partnered industry-leading brands like ESPN, Mothership, Popcorn, theAsianparent, VICE, YouTube and 99.co to form the Mediacorp Digital Network in offering more effective content-driven solutions.
Mediacorp is the recipient of industry accolades including New York Festivals, World Media Festivals, PromaxBDA (World and Asia) and Asian Academy Creative Awards.
For more information, please visit mediacorp.sg.
