Inspired by her relationship with her grandmother, Kim Randu Patrick, 26, is the studio manager and producer of IAINWITHEYES STUDIOS and also the director of the 13-minute film Kumang, which premieres on June 1 on TVS, channel 122.
The film incorporates elements of drama, nostalgia, and period as it tells the story of a female character named Mariam, who makes the traditional ngepan with her mother.Kumang is a period piece directed by Kim. Iain Raphael Bong Shing Loong, however is the chief executive officer (CEO) of the film company and the director of photography of the film.
Throughout its 13-minute duration, the film portrays Mariam’s life as a child, a teenager, and later as an adult.
The film depicts the relationship between Mariam and her mother, while also highlighting the importance of upholding culture and tradition. In this case, Kumang brilliantly showcases the ngepan.
The ngepan is a traditional Iban attire generally worn for Gawai during rituals and dances. It is most popularly used today during the Kumang Gawai, a beauty pageant held leading up to the Gawai Festival, which showcases the traditional attire worn by women from the Iban community.New Sarawak Tribune interviewed both Kim and Iain to gain insights regarding the 13-minute film Kumang.
MORE THAN JUST A FILM
During the interview, it was evident that Kim felt a deep attachment and intimacy with the film. She spoke about its elements and her hopes for it with passion and excitement.
She expressed that the film stemmed from her personal love for ngepan and her motivation to ensure its preservation and passing down to younger generations.”I have a great love for all these ngepan. They hold significant meaning to me. Many generations don’t know how to make them. The tradition is not dying, but it is not being passed down,” she passionately explained.”For me, it is incredibly important. If we don’t pass it down, who else will? This film was inspired by the bond I share with my grandmother,” she added.
Kim recalled her younger days when she would watch her grandmother skillfully make the ngepan, and the film serves as her endeavour to ensure that this tradition lives on and will be inherited by her own children one day.
Expanding on her thoughts, Kim said that the Iban community is known not only for the pua kumbu but also for the ngepan, which is prevalent in every division of the Iban community.
“We have various types of ngepan in each Iban division here, and they differ from one another. The one featured in the film is based on ngepan kuas, originating from Sri Aman and associated with the Iban Balau group of people,” she added.
Kim hoped that the film would enlighten and inspire many young individuals to take pride in Iban culture and tradition, emphasising the need for their continuity.”I hope this film opens the eyes of many. When they watch it, they will realise that it’s up to us to keep this legacy alive,” she said.
Blown away by the film’s outcome, Kim wished that the public would feel the same way, as it effectively incorporates and represents not only the Ibans but also the Dayak community.
“I expect that when people watch it, they will recognise that there are still individuals out there who truly represent these traditions,” she said.
THE NEED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The core mastermind behind the project and the company, Iain Raphael Bong Shing Loong, identifies himself as a visual creative and artist. Iain has a remarkable story of how he found his path in the film industry. After working various jobs as a wedding photographer and doing freelance work, Iain felt that he had reached the limits of his abilities, prompting him to explore something new.
“In my late 20s, I desired a creative work environment that I could better control. I am passionate about the storytelling aspect of videos and motion pictures. I enjoy creating aesthetically pleasing visuals,” he explained.
In his late 20s, Iain discovered this passion and sought a space where he could develop his visual creativity. Unable to find a space as such, he started his own company and assembled a young and enthusiastic film team dedicated to making a difference by bringing creativity and innovation to the film industry in Kuching.Iain’s love for storytelling, especially Sarawakian stories, aligned perfectly with Kim’s idea for Kumang.
According to Iain and Kim, Kumang draws inspiration from true events while incorporating a blend of factual and historical elements. With a total production process of six months, Iain believes that Kumang is capable of capturing and preserving moments portrayed in the film as if they were in real time.
“I hope that in the future, Kumang sparks conversations and dialogues that delve into topics like ‘what is ngepan’ and ‘what is my history.’ Hopefully, these conversations will take place,” he expressed.
During the interview, Iain made a strong first impression as a focused, determined, and resilient individual who aspires to elevate the Sarawak film industry to international standards.
Driven to make a difference, Iain believes that Sarawakian filmmakers today possess a passion for telling stories that represent not only Sarawak but also the rest of Asia.
“We are moving in that direction; we want to be part of the community that represents Sarawak and Southeast Asia,” he said.
Overflowing with excitement, Iain eagerly anticipates the premiere of Kumang. Despite being of Chinese descent, he strongly believes that the film authentically portrays the Sarawakian story in the best possible way.
KUMANG, THE START OF MANY MORE TO COME
Currently working on limited series that is in the pipeline, Iain is intrigued by the idea of telling the Sarawakian stories and its histories, to export Sarawak’s culture and captivate a global audience.
Kumang is one of Kim’s period pieces. Kim conducted research on the ngepan to ensure the story’s factual accuracy, paying attention to the designs and patterns of the beads.
When discussing their favourite scene from Kumang, Iain reveals that his favourite is a small action scene depicted in the film. As a director, he takes pride in being able to shoot that particular scene. Additionally, Iain is proud of creating a visually stunning climax scene that, based on its concepts, he believes turned out remarkably well .
“We were blown away by our team’s ability to create it.
As a Sarawakian, it’s amazing to see that this level of visual storytelling is possible,” he said enthusiastically.
Kim’s favourite scene, on the other hand, lies in the middle of the film, where Mariam is seen running to retrieve the ngepan. This scene holds great significance for Mariam’s character, symbolising the value she places on the ngepan. Kim explains that creating the ngepan takes months, sometimes years, and the scene conveys the deep connection she has with her mother while making it.
When asked about the possibility of more period pieces in the future, Iain and Kim said that they might consider taking a break from them. Currently, they have just wrapped up production on a modern production—a romcollaboration with MStudios.
The story revolves around a musician striving to build a career and conveys the message that “home is where the heart is.” Iain said that period pieces require significant resources, hence the desire to take a break from them. However, there are several period pieces in development, awaiting the right timing and audience.
Nevertheless, Iain hopes that Kumang and the many films currently in the works will illustrate that a young generation of filmmakers is passionate about telling stories not only from Sarawak but on a broader scale, representing Asia as a whole.
