KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 13 -- After winning over audiences in Toronto, Busan and Udine, Malaysia-Indonesia film The Fox King finally opens at home, premiering nationwide on September 17, one day after Malaysia Day.

For director Woo Ming Jin, the film's journey abroad was always rooted in something deeply personal.

"There is definitely an autobiographical element to the film. I have an identical twin, so some of the story is drawn from my own experiences," he said.

"My main goal was to make a film about growing up - childhood, adolescence and all the challenges that I think everyone encounters as they grow up, as well as the rites of passage they go through.

"That includes dealing with family, first love, which I think is very important," ...