FAUZIAH Ahmad Daud, 57, has been acting for almost all her life — from the tender age of 10. In fact, both her late parents were in showbusiness. Her mother, Datin Saadiah, is a screen legend of yesteryear.
Throughout her career as an actress, Fauziah, a.k.a. Ogy, has acted in various roles and films, from playing the spoilt little girl in Abang (1981) to the female lead alongside Datuk Jamal Abdillah in Azura (1984). And who can forget her character as a student named Asmidar in Ali Setan (1985)?
Yet, it took more than four decades before the multiple award-winning actress finally landed a role in a horror film.
Fauziah is part of the cast in the film Pusaka (by Alpha47 Films, co-produced by Astro Shaw and Director’s Think Tank).
Directed by Razaisyam Rashid — who helmed the film CEO in 2014 and the much- acclaimed crime TV drama Mandatori in 2017 — the horror film is a first for Fauziah.
She was drawn to the well-written script.
“When the director approached me, I asked to see the script first before deciding. After going through the stimulating script, how could I not say ‘yes’?
She adds: “I find the storyline, which intermingles horror and crime, an interesting one.”
She adds that Razaisyam’s Mandatori gave her the confidence that he can helm another mesmerising production.
Cast members include Syafiq Kyle, Mimi Lana, Faizal Hussein, Hafidz Roshdi and Sweet Qismina, a younger generation of actors and actresses.
It is thus no surprise that they were awed by Fauziah. Given her experience and reputation, the young cast members knew they had better be prepared on set, or risk being reprimanded by the actress who has shown a consummate passion for the industry.
IN GOOD FORM
No one knows this better than leading actor Syafiq Kyle.
“In my first year as an actor, I acted in a TV drama alongside Fauziah. I yawned while on the set.She told me off straightaway, telling me to take acting more seriously. It was good advice from an experienced actress,” admits Syafiq, 27, who shot to fame as Ustaz Adam in the drama series Nur.
So Syafiq made sure that he was in good form when the cameras started to roll for Pusaka.
“For those who have never worked with her before, her reprimands may take them by surprise. In fact, someone on the Pusaka set got an earful from her for not delivering their best during filming,” adds Syafiq.
In Pusaka, Syafiq plays Inspector Nuar Ishak who discovers a corpse and a young woman (twins Balqis and Qistina, both played by Sweet Qistina) at an abandoned house. He finds out that they were locked up there.
Following the discovery, the skilled cop now has to race against time to solve the mystery behind the twins as he himself is beginning to experience strange encounters. Nuar discovers that the individuals who are linked to the twins and the house are dying mysteriously, one after another.
Although this is Syafiq’s second horror film after last year’s Langsuir, he says that this was his most challenging. He is curious about fan reaction towards his performance in this film, which he believes is his best so far.
“All of this could not have happened without the hard work and guidance from the director. Razaisyam helped me to mould the character. He brought out the potential in me to give my best.” In Pusaka, among Syafiq’s co-stars is his love interest, actress Mimi Lana. She plays Nur, Nuar’s sibling.
“Among the most challenging scenes for me was the one where I fight with Nur.
“For that scene, I had to be suspended in an uncomfortable position.
“I had to keep a straight face, as if nothing unusual was happening to me at that time. I was uncomfortable and I was in pain, while shooting in the dead of night in a small room,” he adds.
It took the crew four hours to film that scene but Syafiq admits that it has been worth the effort.
Pusaka opens in the cinemas on Oct 31.