| Daniel Lim |
FILM fans, especially those with an affinity for horror, had a unique opportunity to watch a special film screening of the hit Cambodian horror movie ‘The Witch’ together with the film director, who was also the main actor, Huy Yaleng, at Plaza Sutera Biru Dualplex, Bowling Centre Building, Seria.
Present at the special screening was Dina Sim, Second Secretary of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Brunei Darussalam; and Shahminan bin Haji Mohd Yassin, Head of the Art Instructor, Culture and Arts Section, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Also present were local film directors, actors, and art activists.
The special screening was also an opportunity for the audience to ask Huy Yaleng questions regarding his experience in film-making.
The event provided a platform for more cultural exchanges between Cambodian and Bruneian film makers and artistes, as well as establishing business networks among the private sector of Asean member countries through films, in a sharing session held after the movie screening.
In the sharing session, Huy Yaleng expressed his gratitude to the audience for watching the movie that he and his crew had made, and hoped that the audience had enjoyed it.
“This movie, ‘The Witch’, had its first screening on January 25, and since then, the movie has been a huge success not only in Cambodia, but also in Brunei,” he noted.
Asked about the movie’s inspiration, he explained that the film was focussed on Cambodian traditional beliefs, and that the location and clothing styles were all based on those found in the remote provinces of Cambodia.
He also said the movie took about a month to film, and that he and his crew meticulously paid attention to the smallest details to properly portray the feel and atmosphere of the setting it had set out to recreate.
He said the special screening was an opportunity to be able to meet filmmakers and actors from other countries.
The Borneo Bulletin spoke to Huy Yaleng with regard to his future plans in film-making, to which he noted that he will continue to pursue the art of film-making and that the special screening had enabled him to meet aspiring filmmakers and actors.
Asked what advice he had for up-and-coming filmmakers and actors, he prefaced with a story involving his previous movie titled ‘Psychotic’, where he played the main character, and while on set, had an accident which caused a cut on his face.
“My crew was worried about my well being, but I remained composed and committed, and a few hours later, I was able to continue and finish the shoot,” he explained.
“Being committed to performing at your best is one of the factors that go into being a good filmmaker and actor, as well as being able to reflect on who you are and what you are capable of doing. By doing so, you are able to set goals to perform at your best. However, most important of all, you must love what you do,” he said.
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