BREAKING THE CURSE

The director and cast of Sumpahan Jerunei sits down with Augustman to share their journey of bringing this local ritual to light

- STUART DANKER 

I’m on set with part of the cast of Sumpahan Jerunei. Those present included the director Jason Chong, as well as actors Tony Eusoff, Bront Palarae, Amerul Affendi, and Syafie Naswip. Among them, more than a century’s worth of show business experience.

But I might be wrong. Just as I was wrong about how it would’ve been intimidating to be among such veterans of the industry. The first few moments spent breaking the ice were as fun as could be. And I very quickly found my conversational stride with them, as if talking with old friends.

The cast also seemed to share a similar connection amongst themselves, despite not seeing each other since the movie’s filming which took place pre-COVID. And the pandemic had definitely thrown a wrench into the works, as the film’s first screening was supposed to take place a couple of years back, and it was delayed right up to this month, July 2023.

“It wasn’t just the screening that was affected,” Chong says. “Just finishing the film itself was tough thanks to the lockdowns.” According to him, post-production had also proven to present its challenges as many companies couldn’t operate during the movement control order. Despite that, the team still managed to pull through, all ready to make big waves in the movie industry.

On the surface, Sumpahan Jerunei tells a tale based on the real burial customs of the Melanau people from Sarawak, Malaysia. Chong chose to explore this topic further because he held a macabre interest on the subject, which was fuelled by his not knowing of this ritual, despite being Malaysian.