KUCHING: ‘Sumpahan Jerunei’, a local horror film which received international awards will be shown in cinemas throughout Malaysia and Brunei from July 27 and Cambodian cinemas from September 11.
The film received Best Feature Film Award at the Paris Film Awards in February and Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Music and Best Producer at the Florence Film Awards.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah praised the producers and film directors for the success of the film.
“They (producers and directors) have spent two years in research to understand the Melanau culture and ensure the film and script were not swayed away from historical facts.
“Through this movie, the Melanau culture was able to be presented in a proper and accurate manner, I believe the Melanau culture, especially in Mukah, is able to boost the tourism and economy, especially attracting foreign tourist within the region,” he said at a press conference after attending the premiere of the movie at Golden Screen Cinemas, The Spring Shopping Mall on Thursday (July 20).
Abdul Karim expressed his delight that the filming was done 100 per cent in Sarawak, with Mukah being the focal point of the film to highlight Melanau culture and Jerunei’s original location.
He said the film was also done in Siburan and Kuching.
In addition to that, Abdul Karim encouraged future writers to write books related to rituals and cultures practised by people’s past history to educate the community.
“The younger generation today lacks knowledge related to culture and customs of the past.
“When there are write ups related to a community in the state, it would benefit and expose the younger generation and ensure these practices are not lost,” he said.
Meanwhile, film producers Datuk Nancie Foo and Datin Dr. Wendy Wong revealed that there could potentially be another ‘Sumpahan Jerunei’ in the future.
“What we can say for now, is we are currently communicating with several other partners. However, for now we would like to focus on this film first and then we will proceed to think of what to do next,” she said.
The ‘Sumpahan Jerunei’ film tells the story of the Melanau people’s past history comprising mystery, rituals and burial customs.
The film was written and directed by Jason Chong and stars actors and actresses such as Bront Palarae, Uqasha Senrose, Syafie Naswip, Amerul Affendi, Daiyan Trisha, Tony Eussoff and Ruminah Sidek.
