KUCHING (March 17): The feature, ‘Raya Emas-Salako Sacred Treasure’, highlights not only the talents of its predominantly-Sarawakian cast, but also the rich heritage of the Salako people and cultural tourism in Sarawak.
The premiere at the TGV Cinemas here today was attended by cast members Ahirine Ahirudin, Melissa Francis, Dunstun Luther Junior, Winson Voon, Wahab Daszz Hairaf, Willy Alfred Ting, and Daniel Ackeem.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Snowdan Lawan officiated at the event.
Filmed mainly in Lundu, with 80 per cent of its scenes set against Sarawak’s lush rainforests, the film sets forth to bring audiences into the heart of Borneo. While the story revolves around Raya Emas, a mythical golden flower with extraordinary healing powers, the film stays true to the customs, traditions and language of the Salako people.
For Selangor-born Ahirine, portraying the leading character ‘Diana’ was a challenge as it was the complete opposite of her real-life personality. “In real life, I’m a tough, tomboyish person; my character Diana is soft and timid, traumatised by her past,” she said.
The challenges aside, Ahirine described the filming experience as both ‘adventurous and fun’. She recalled a particularly intense scene where her character was physically assaulted, sharing how she had prepared for that moment and the impact that it had on her performance.
The male protagonist, Dunstun, who played ‘Ansamah’, the film presented several firsts in his acting career. “This is my first time playing a character that fights, so I have to learn the fight choreography from scratch,” said the Sarawakian.
He also said ‘Raya Emas’ marked his debut on the big screen, having previously acted in only one local series. “Despite the challenge, I embrace the experience, learning new skills and adapting to the demands of action scenes.”
The supporting character ‘Aching’, Ansamah’s mother, was played by Melissa Francis, who said it was also her first time acting in a film.
“It’s challenging for me; it’s far different from singing.
“Unlike singing where it only takes a few hours, acting takes days to get that perfect shot.
“There was one time I got hit for real too, for the sake of making that scene look genuine,” said Melissa, one of Sarawak’s most recognisable recording artistes.
One of the movie’s producers, Alan Chua, said Sarawak’s film industry faced challenges in securing sponsorships and retaining local talents due to limited opportunities, but with growing support and the right timing, productions like ‘Raya Emas-Salako Sacred Treasure’ were becoming possible.
Meanwhile, Snowdan, when met by reporters after the premiere, hailed Sarawak’s film industry as holding immense potential, not only in showcasing local cultures like Salako to a wider audience, but also in positioning itself as a filmmaking hub supported by the government and modern technology.
“By enhancing skills in cinematography and special effects, and by nurturing local talent, Sarawak has the opportunity to compete internationally and attract foreign producers to create films in the state,” he added.
-Agency
