Penang stall becomes Hollywood set as trader meets Mark Wahlberg
A Penang-based collectibles trader gained a unique opportunity to appear as an extra in the Netflix production 'The Big Fix' while interacting with star Mark Wahlberg. The filming took place at the trader's stall in George Town, providing a memorable experience for local business owners.
Why it matters
This highlights the economic and cultural impact of international film productions on local communities in Southeast Asia.
A simple greeting - "Hi Mark, welcome to Penang" - turned into an unforgettable encounter for collectibles trader Sheikh Mokhtar Sheikh Ali when he found himself chatting, posing for photographs and sharing the screen with Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg during the filming of Netflix's The Big Fix in George Town on July 13.
For the 60-year-old trader, fondly known as Mamu, the opportunity to appear as an extra in a Hollywood production marked a once-in-a-lifetime experience after nearly 15 years earning a living at Rope Walk, one of Penang's well-known trading spots.
Sheikh Mokhtar said about three weeks before filming began, a local production crew approached him to ask whether he would be interested in joining the production as an extra while allowing his licensed stall to serve as part of the film's backdrop.
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