KUCHING: The first modern Iban film, ‘Bungai Ngerembai’, will be the second Malaysian film scheduled to be screened overseas next year.
According to the film’s director Datuk Robin Lai, the film set to be released nationally in May 2020, will also be screened in China as the film’s first market.
The film is produced by a local Bumiputra company Telbina Technology Sdn Bhd which has been praised by Federal Works Minister Baru Bian for taking the proactive step to make it.
Lai shared that the original script of the film was originally from Taiwan. It was bought and converted into Bahasa Malaysia and then brought to Sarawak to be translated into Iban.
He said the cost of the film had not been finalised yet as the company was still in need of funding. The budget for the film which will run for 90 to 120 minutes is RM4 million.
“The fast action comedy movie is currently being shot at several locations in Kuching. It is 40 per cent completed.
“As the first modern Iban movie, it will use the Iban dialogue with subtitles in other major languages. The cast comprises talented locals,” he said.
Asked whether ‘Bungai Ngerembai’ would incorporate any Iban traditional culture, Lai said, “No. The movie is based on the modern Iban.
“We are trying to promote to the world that Sarawak exists because all this while, the tourism industry has been promoting traditional and cultural outfits, the forests and others.
“And I am trying to tell them that Sarawak is not like that anymore. We are now modern and we are capable of doing what others can do.
“Look at the Korean and Filipino movies. They use their own languages for dialogues and many people watch them. Why can’t we do the same and let people learn our (Iban) language?” he said.
The production of ‘Bungai Ngerembai’ is scheduled to be completed by early May next year.
Federal Minister Baru Bian said the film would be a Gawai Dayak 2020 gift to the Dayaks.
The movie features three siblings who are the main characters, namely Jawai, Tagok and Inspector Sulan, who are portrayed by Jessy Nana, Reuben Gomes and Slyvia William respectively.
Reuben
revealed that the film had a bit of drama, action and comedy. It focuses on three
siblings — two criminals and a police officer — who have not met each other for
a long time after being sent to an orphanage by their mother.
The
film’s trailer, which has already been released on YouTube, has attracted a
total of 4,628 views as of 3.30pm.
