POPULAR actresses Uqasha Senrose, 31 and Daiyan Trisha, 29, are not known to star in action-adventures, but they seem to have graduated with flying colours in their first collaboration set in the jungles of Sarawak's Mukah Division.
They are the main stars of Sumpahan Jerunei (Curse of the Jerunei), which presents a glimpse into the ancient history, culture and practices of the Melanau ethnic group in Sarawak.
TERRIFYING RITUAL
Directed by Jason Chong, the film is the brainchild of Produksi Seni 2020's Datuk Nancie Foo and Datin Wendy Wong.
The film is about the terrifying burial ritual of the Melanau nobility back in the 13th century, involving the gigantic jerunei pole.
A village head or aristocrat who died would require two virgin slaves — one male and one female — to be sacrificed.
EIGHT CENTURIES OLD
Fast forward to the present day, archaeologist and historian Dr Sani goes in search of his wife Dr Suraya, who went missing in the jungles several months ago.
He is joined by a group of young conservationists, — Bee, Hana, Arjuna and Tommy — who are eager to discover the last existing jerunei, which is 800 years old.
The team soon meets Madui (Tony Eusoff), a Melanau headman with ulterior motives.
SET THINGS RIGHT
As they go deeper into the jungle, they experience hallucinations and nightmares of hideous and vicious spirits who emerge from beneath the jerunei.
The team gradually learns that "terrible things" from the past are the cause of Dr Suraya's disappearance, and they must set things right in order to stay alive.
PHOBIA OF REPTILES
At the recent press preview of the film in Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, Uqasha said that her most frightening experience was getting "pulled" into the river.
"Metal wires did the job, and I was trembling all the way, since the villagers told me that there were lots of monitor lizards and crocodiles underwater," said Uqasha.
"Thank God these reptiles did not bite me. As for the water, it was like water from the sewers, not only dark but smelly."
LEVEL-HEADED
Nevertheless, Uqasha is delighted to have partly overcome her fear of reptiles when playing Bee, the no-nonsense leader of the conservationists.
"I love Bee, she is the most level-headed of the gang, apart from the experienced Dr Sani who is their overall team leader."
PANIC ATTACK
Daiyan, 29, who plays Hana, had a panic attack while filming a scene where she was drowning in a pool of mud.
"This is my most challenging role to date. When I was pulled into the mud, I was actually drowning, and it was really scary."
SWOLLEN EARS
Daiyan also contracted an ear infection after that scene.
"The coconut fibres used to create the mud pool entered my ear and caused swelling. I was in great pain for a few days, but thank God it healed fast," said Daiyan.
IN-DEPTH RESEARCH
Wong said they spent six years completing the film, and this included two years of in-depth research into the history and customs of the jerunei.
She added that the RM5-million film used lots of visual effects and computer-generated images, plus more than 100 extras and crew members, especially Sarawakians who spoke Melanau.
LOCKDOWN DISRUPTION
Foo said that filming took place over 45 days in late 2019 around Kuching and Mukah.
"Filming was disrupted by the lockdown, and we used that time to put in visual effects," she said.
NEW LANGUAGE
Yuyun Hikmah, who plays the spirit of a young Melanau woman who was sacrificed in the 13th century, said it was her first film in which she spoke a new language.
"I learnt a bit of Melanau over two months, with help from the extras from Sarawak. It is a beautiful and interesting language," she said.
Sumpahan Jerunei opened in cinemas nationwide on July 27.