KUCHING: The Malaysian animated short film, The Pillar of Strength, has made history as the first Sarawak-inspired animation to be screened in cinemas nationwide.
The screening was a collaboration between Golden Screen Cinemas and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) through the first Malaysia Animation Film Festival 2023, which featured a compilation of seven animated shorts.
Crafted by Aie Ibrahim, an animator known for his work on Malaysian animated classics such as Usop Sontorian, Silat Legenda, and Putih, the animation delves into the cinematic universe of Rentap, the Iban-Dayak warrior from Borneo, unfolding the fictional origins of Rentap from his childhood.
“The Pillar of Strength is a beautiful story that explores the theme of family, environmental conservation, human identity, as well as the patterns and culture of life in the ancient Borneo archipelago,” he said in a statement today (Oct 21).
This milestone is poised to pave way for Sarawak’s digital creative economy and spark new conversations with potential stakeholders for production, tourism, licensing, and merchandising.
Sarawakian talent Andrew Bong composed soundtrack for three out of the sevel animated films featured in the Malaysia Animation Film Festival 2023, namely The Pillar of Strengths, Framed Memories, and Kuihpocalypse.
Brenda Bulan, a Sarawakian sape player, also featured her playing for The Pillar of Strength. An upcoming music video will highlight the musical talents behind the animated short.
The soundtrack was recorded in Budapest and boasts collaborations with international musicians, including Burak Besir (Woodwinds – known for Netflix’s One Piece, The Witcher, and Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal) and Noriko Terada (Percussions – recognized for Final Fantasy 15 and Little Witch Academia).
The most recent edition of this film was a co-production between Aie Ibrahim from Creatvtoon Studio and Andrew Bong from Ventura Interactive Sdn Bhd; Amirul Annuar as the executive producer, with the support from Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Digital and Innovation, and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
