PETALING JAYA: Dashing actor and producer Hans Isaac marks his first starring role alongside award-winning actress Maya Karin in a new psychological thriller this Aug 13.
Titled Nota, it sees the man behind popular musicals as Supermokh, Cuci and most recently Baik Punya Cilok, playing Kamal, who is married to Erin but is increasingly estranged from her.
The couple has been married for a decade, but have thus far been unable to have a child, and this has resulted in a lack of communication between them.
Hans who admits that Kamal is his “most silent” role to date says that all these change when they choose to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in Kuching’s picturesque Bako National Park.
“Kamal and Erin went for their first honeymoon in Bako, and she agrees with his suggestion to celebrate their anniversary there, with hope to rekindle their relationship.
“But along the way, Erin discovers that Kamal has written some notes which state he is going to ‘end it all’ at a cliff in Bako,” said Hans at the gala premiere of Nota at Cathay Cineleisure, The Curve in Mutiara Damansara here, yesterday.
The cryptic message, which means he may be planning to kill her (or even himself) is followed by Erin’s discovery that Kamal has had an extra-marital affair, and his lover is pregnant with his child.
The notes drive Erin to a point of despair, and she, too, plots to kill Kamal and use his “end it all” notes to make it look like a suicide.
“At Bako, Kamal and Erin journey to a cliff by boat, and they are ferried by a mysterious boatman named Jemat. He is suspicious of the couple, and seemingly channels their innermost feelings with his cryptic words.”
Hans says the couple meet their “moment of truth” when they stand atop a picturesque cliff. How it is going to end, is a moment of suspense which audiences have to discover for themselves.
Hans considers Kamal one of his more difficult roles to date, because his dialogue is minimal.
“He is a shadow of a man, and I had to make full use of the lighting in every scene, and good facial expressions, to ‘communicate’ to Maya’s Erin as well as the audiences.
“In fact, Kamal does his ‘talking’ via the notes which Erin discovers in his possession, and they point to a disturbing turn of events which ‘hit her hard’,” he said.
The 43-year-old actor enjoyed every moment of his journey to Bako for the movie which cost RM1.8 million to make. Produced by 42nd Pictures, filming took 26 days in April and May 2013.
“The director and screenwriter Yasu Tanaka did a splendid job of capturing Bako’s most beautiful cliffs, winding rivers and the majestic Mount Santubong.
“It also has some fantastic views of Kuching’s city centre, including the splendid State Legislative Assembly building and Kuching Waterfront,” he added.
Hans has always wanted to co-star in a movie with Maya, as she is a versatile actress he looks up to.
“While our first team-up has turned out to be a thriller, it’s nevertheless my kind of movie, because it’s very different from what we normally star in.
“I love thrillers, because they are thought-provoking and exciting, and I’d love to produce one in future.”
On a sad note, Hans said Nota marked his second and last collaboration with Sarawakian actor Ramli Hassan who played Jemat. Ramli died of an illness last May.
“He was with me in one season of Cuci The Musical, and it was great working with him. Ramli always gave his 200 per cent for every character he played, and I’m also going to miss his warmth, humour and passion for the arts.”
Hans hopes Malaysians will watch Nota, as it is “a movie that is out of the ordinary”.
“I’d also say it’s a movie worthy of international festivals as Cannes.”