BY GABRIEL LIHAN & NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS
KUCHING: We have seen talents go abroad, excel and do great things for the country and these talents have shown that Sarawakians do have what it takes to succeed at the international stage.
The question is how can we sustain such success at international level and ensure more talents experience similar if not better successes?
Sarawakians must dare to be ambitious.
In an interview Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan kept emphasising to New Sarawak Tribune Sarawak’s pool of talents and the question of sustainability for these talents to perform and unleash themselves.
Dream big, go beyond
During the interview that we had, there was an expectation of what the film industry should look like given the lack of representation of Sarawak stories in the Malaysian film industry. It meant that Sarawakians will need to be ambitious and dare to dream big.
Training, workshops and more exposure to the creative industry are the words often thrown about.
“We have to have ambition. We have to think outside the box, if not more than that,” said Snowdan.
Local talents who have made it to the global stage include Dewi Seriestha, Larissa Ping and Fransisca Luhong.
There are tons of possibilities when it comes to movies to produce, said Snowdan who recalled how he had met with film directors to look into more genres of movies which Sarawak has not produced.
“We have so many ethnic communities here, in fact making a movie like Apocalypto is possible here in Sarawak.
“A historic movie on the MA63 would be a good movie, because there is no mention of MA63, and that’s why we have to do a movie on Sarawak Day,” said Snowdan.
He felt that horror would be a good addition to attract the public as Sarawak has a lot of mystical beliefs.
All said, there is a passion for the film industry in Sarawak to grow. That was the hope from Snowdan.
The message remains, think beyond, look ahead.
Snowdan said film directors should not limit their movies to television like Astro First.
“The budget of the movie you produce must reach a market, not just Sarawak, but also nationally, in Malaysia,” he added.
That highlighted a similar point, think ahead.
“Astro First has certainly helped filmmakers, but what about having our movies in the cinema?.
“Can you be in that category?”, was his question to the film directors.
That was a thought, because one may think ahead and go beyond but may not have the proper skill sets to achieve them.
Snowdan ended that question with “but the techniques must be good”.
Sustainability
Recently, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Film Development Corporation (FINAS), Nasir Ibrahim along with several senior officers made a courtesy visit to the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
Snowdan said that the CEO is supportive and wants to grow the film industry in Sarawak.
“I would like to see more involved but it is not easy to make films, we have to learn a lot,” he stressed.
The need for workshops was also brought up to ensure sustainability is assured, and a huge amount of exposure and experience given to the local actors and actresses.
As well as the scriptwriters, producers, and directors.
“The CEO of FINAS also agrees that we should do workshops here, ways to produce films, how to be a director and how to become an actress.
“There are many people interested, that’s why I told the CEO of FINAS, do more workshops that will attract the young people to have interest in filmmaking,” he added.
Certainly, there is a direction that has been steered and realigned, with the help of FINAS, promising hopes for sustaining the film industry in Malaysia.
Perhaps, the issue of a lack of representation of Sarawak stories in the Malaysian film industry won’t resurface again.
Not only is FINAS in the picture, but also TVS, Television Sarawak.
“Luckily we have TVS, thanks to TVS, they try their best to promote Sarawak.
“TVS has been a very good platform.
“They have come up with all sorts of funny names, and that’s good, because you have to have creativity,” he said.
TVS has created job opportunities and it has certainly made a way for filmmakers to come and pitch their ideas in order to have their films screened on television.
“The future is very bright, the reason why I say it’s very bright is because we are going digital.
“Five to ten years ago, who would expect us to go digital? To me, it is a bright future for Sarawak,” Snowdan said.
It certainly does feel that way, with a television station already on-going, a platform for filmmakers to have their works screened and an opportunity for Sarawak stories to be seen nationally.
Truly, a first step forward and definitely many more to come.
Inspiring the next generation
Snowdan shared his conversations with local filmmakers, Jalot Jeman and Harry Frederick, about how he motivated them that they are leading the footsteps of future filmmakers.
This a step forward to ensure sustainability and ensure the next generation of filmmakers will continue to grow.
This signifies proper mentoring and a system in the film industry of Sarawak to further nurture young talents who aspire to be filmmakers and venture into the film industry
“From there, pass it to the people, to the young people and they learn from you.
“Organise a workshop, you can moderate, facilitate, assist and lecture.”
A glimmer of hope, a direction needed for more Sarawak stories to be represented in the Malaysian industry. The future is bright.
He was also asked about the mini film festival organised by UNIMAS and the role UNIMAS plays to assist in the film industry in Sarawak, as well as Malaysia.
“UNIMAS plays a role to assist, we need more NGOs, cinematography, from this association, the government can give them some grant so that they can pass it on to the younger generation.
“This is the only way we can pass it on, you must transfer that knowledge”, he stressed.
As to whether Sarawak should have a film festival, Snowdan replied, “we can, only if we have the volume”.
“There are many people who are interested.
“This is why FINAS should do more workshops that will attract the young people to film making,” he said.
Snowdan also took time to advise the young people to take the opportunity to learn.
“Be hungry and be desperate,the young people must grab the opportunity to learn,” he stressed.
Snowdan’s hope for Sarawak is to see Sarawak use high-technology in the film industry, emphasising that Sarawak has a pool of talent and that the Sarawak government is able to give grants.
“We cannot do it alone. We need help from NGO, UNIMAS, art associations.
“If you want to work fast, you work alone, if you want to work far, you work together.”
It would therefore appear that Sarawak filmmakers and the industry in Sarawak must continue to work and create and learn the tools necessary to ensure success.
