Raintree Pictures' Homerun - which has picked up two nominations from Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards this year - has been banned in Malaysia.

The Chinese-language drama was nominated for best new performer for Megan Zheng as well as best original song - the lyrics of which are penned by director Jack Neo (I Not Stupid).

Daniel Yun, chief executive officer of Singapore based Raintree Pictures, says, 'The success of Homerun means a lot because the heritage of film making is stronger in other Asian countries than in Singapore.'

Although the film is set in the 1960s and was shot on location in Kuala Lumpur, Homerun was banned for release in Malaysia reportedly for its handling of sensitive political issues, such as the water supply from Malaysia to Singapore.

Inspired by the Iranian film Children of Heaven by Majid Majidi, Homerun is about the director's observations of the relationship between Singapore and its neighbour Malaysia, Yun says. Raintree Pictures appealed to lift the ban, but this was rejected in October.

Hong Kong film Good Times, Bed Times was also banned in Malaysia earlier this year. A new version under a new title, In Love with You, was later produced specifically for Malaysia that was passed for release locally. Yun says that it is difficult to make a different version of Homerun for Malaysia, as the theme is integral.

Homerun was a box office success in Singapore with a total gross of S$2.3 million. It is scheduled to hit Hong Kong theatres in early December.