Mantera casts a spell on big screens nationwide, Brunei
Published on: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Published on: Thu, Apr 24, 2025
By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Syafie (left) and Jovenea, the lead cast of Mantera. - Pic by Ricardo Unto | Daily Express KOTA KINABALU: The much-awaited horror thriller Mantera began screening in over 50 cinemas nationwide and in Brunei on Thursday (April 24). Kota Kinabalu-based Pro-Merge Vision produces the RM1.2 million film. Spanning 120 minutes, Mantera fuses supernatural horror with ancient Dusunic traditions rooted in Sabah's cultural heritage. It follows Tana, a young woman who inherits mystical powers from her bobolian ancestry. When malevolent forces descend upon her village, Tana is drawn into a chilling chain of deaths and paranormal events. With the help of Inspektor Zaf, they work together to confront the darkness threatening their community. The cast features Jovenea Jim as Tana and Syafie Naswip as Zaf, alongside Namron, Eva Sandra Duin, and Devey Grayc. Jovenea, a 2011 State Unduk Ngadau first runner-up, won Best Actress for the short film Ninavau in 2019. Syafie, a veteran Malaysian actor, is a Best Actor winner at the Malaysian Film Festival and Anugerah Skrin. Mantera marks director Chester Pang's debut feature and showcases Sabah's landscapes and Dusunic spiritualism with striking cinematography by Tim Stephen of Sinakagon fame. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Daily Express
Ministry backs film on endangered pygmy elephants
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 Text Size: Liew (centre), flanked by Mohd Soffian (right) and Chong. Kota Kinabalu: Support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) is crucial for the success of the upcoming film 'Agatis : A Borneo Story' (AABS) set to start filming between August and September this year. Its Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said her Ministry has every reason to lend a hand, given the film's potential as a wildlife tourism booster. 'We will render the necessary assistance through our agency, Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL). Firstly, it is a feature film to protect and raise awareness about the endangered Bornean Pygmy Elephants. Secondly, it would be the first ever film in Malaysia filming in close proximity to these majestic animals under supervision,' she said after a presentation on the film project by the Director of Mondo Ab Films Sdn Bhd (MABF), Jeanette Chong Tze Ling, recently. MABF is a KK-based production company in Sabah. Present was the Director of JHL Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar. Chong, a Sabahan scriptwriter, film director and producer, concurred that the Ministry's support is the key to success of AABS, a 90-minute movie featuring Agatis, a four-year-old female Pygmy Elephant and Aki, a two-year-old male Pygmy Elephant, from the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES) within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Advertisement 'I thank the Minister for her personal assistance. The support from the Ministry and Sabah Wildlife Department will bolster the confidence of potential funders and sponsors to come forward to contribute within their capacity. 'This film, my fourth screenplay, is intended not only to be screened in cinemas but also to make its debut at some film festivals,' she said, adding that the move will attract potential local and international filmmakers to produce films in Sabah. Briefing the Minister, the lawyer-turned film producer who is also a martial artist, said 'Agatis : A Borneo Story' is created with the collaboration of more than 50 years of combined experience in storytelling, wildlife cinematography, and high-quality film-making with very experienced and established production teams. 'This is the logline of the film. Both orphaned children - a young lost boy (Dhiren) and a baby Pygmy Elephant (Agatis) from two different worlds - found each other in the magical Borneo jungle where they bonded and became entangled in a battle to protect Agatis's species from greedy poachers,' explained Chong who has a passion for filmmaking. On her rationale behind 'Agatis : A Borneo Story', the film producer stressed that there is a pressing need to raise the level of awareness of the existence of the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, and emphasise the importance of coexistence through the film production. 'I met Jibius Dausip (the Elephant Whisperer) in 2023 to learn more about the Bornean Elephant and encountered baby Agatis for the very first time,' Chong recalled. Asked why Sandakan is given the priority for casting (choosing of actors), she attributed this to the location (Kinabatangan), saying it is ideal for the main cast and baby Bornean Pygmy Elephant to bond before filming starts, together with supervision from BES and their caretakers living in Kinabatangan. 'In July, we are going to do an open casting for the children in Sandakan. We are open to more NGO groups being involved as well as the local people in Kinabatangan.' Once we have successfully secured the funding needed, we hope to commence filming in mid-August or September, Chong added. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Film to protect endangered Bornean pygmy elephants
Liew, flanked by Mohd Soffian (right) and Chong, during the courtesy call. KOTA KINABALU (June 22): A feature film to protect and raise awareness about the endangered Bornean pygmy elephants will start filming in Sabah this year. 'Agatis : A Borneo Story' (AABS) has the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) to ensure its success. Its minister, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, said her ministry has every reason to lend a hand, given the film's potential as a wildlife tourism booster. 'We will render the necessary assistance through our agency, Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL). Firstly, it is a feature film to protect and raise awareness about the endangered Bornean pygmy elephants. Secondly, it would be the first ever film in Malaysia filming in close proximity to these majestic animals under supervision,' she said after a presentation on the film project by the director of Mondo Ab Films Sdn Bhd (MABF), Jeanette Chong Tze Ling, recently. MABF is a Kota Kinabalu-based production company in Sabah. Present was the director of JHL, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar. Agatis (left) and Aki at the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary in Kinabatangan. Chong, a Sabahan scriptwriter, film director and producer, concurred that the ministry's support is the key to success of AABS, a 90-minute movie featuring Agatis, a four-year-old female pygmy elephant and Aki, a two-year-old male pygmy elephant, from the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES) within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. 'I thank the minister for her personal assistance. The support from the ministry and Sabah Wildlife Department will bolster the confidence of potential funders and sponsors to come forward to contribute within their capacity. 'This film, my fourth screenplay, is intended not only to be screened in cinemas but also to make its debut at some film festivals,' she said, adding that the move will attract potential local and international filmmakers to produce films in Sabah. Briefing the minister, the lawyer-turned film producer who is also a martial artist, said: 'Agatis : A Borneo Story' is created with the collaboration of more than 50 years of combined experience in storytelling, wildlife cinematography, and high-quality film-making with very experienced and established production teams. 'This is the logline of the film. Both orphaned children – a young lost boy (Dhiren) and a baby pygmy elephant (Agatis) from two different worlds – found each other in the magical Borneo jungle where they bonded and became entangled in a battle to protect Agatis's species from greedy poachers,' explained Chong who has a passion for filmmaking. On her rationale behind 'Agatis : A Borneo Story', the film producer stressed that there is a pressing need to raise the level of awareness of the existence of the Bornean pygmy elephant, and emphasise the importance of coexistence through the film production. 'I met Jibius Dausip (the elephant whisperer) in 2023 to learn more about the Bornean elephant and encountered baby Agatis for the very first time,' Chong recalled. Asked why Sandakan is given the priority for casting (choosing of actors), she attributed this to the location (Kinabatangan), saying it is ideal for the main cast and baby Bornean pygmy elephant to bond before filming starts, together with supervision from BES and their caretakers living in Kinabatangan. 'In July, we are going to do an open casting for the children in Sandakan. We are open to more NGO groups being involved as well as the local people in Kinabatangan.' Once we have successfully secured the funding needed, we hope to commence filming in mid-August or September, Chong added.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Lawsuit issue: Fazura leaves it to her lawyers
Published on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly two months have passed since allegations emerged that the company owned by popular actress and entrepreneur Nur Fazura Sharifuddin ( pic ) failed to settle a RM4.65 million debt owed to a headscarf manufacturing factory. Despite being repeatedly pressed by the claimant as well as by netizens on social media to address the issue, the celebrity has remained silent, going about her daily life, including promoting her headscarves on social media. Speaking to reporters at a press conference after launching the music video of her latest single 'Luar Biasa' here last night, Fazura, 41, said the lawsuit against her company is a confidential matter and has been handed over to her lawyers for further action. Fazura, who is also a singer and television host, said she preferred not to comment further as it involves two separate entities. "Honestly, there's nothing I can explain because we have to understand that I, Fazura, and the company are two different entities. I can't comment on company matters as that is beyond my scope as an individual. The company is the company, and Fazura is me personally, that's the distinction. "So really, I can't say much about the company or whatever is going on. I've left all my company-related matters to my lawyers to take action," she said. Fazura made these remarks when asked by reporters to comment on the RM4.65 million lawsuit filed by a headscarf supplier against her company Pink Fate Sdn Bhd. Advertisement Admitting that she is affected by the controversy, the 'Pisau Cukur' star said such issues are among the challenges any entrepreneur must face. "What haven't I gone through in the past eight months? Of course, I've been affected. I'm not someone without feelings but as an entrepreneur, I understand this is normal. I don't think it's necessary to explain, because outsiders may not understand and could twist the facts," she said. "I know the business I'm running isn't a small one and I'm confident all entrepreneurs out there will understand the challenges that come with being in the business world," she added. According to media reports early last month, headscarf manufacturer Obor Holding Sdn Bhd is taking legal action against Pink Fate for allegedly owing the company RM4.65 million. Obor Holding claimed that Pink Fate had only paid RM2.68 million out of the total RM7.3 million value of headscarves supplied since June 2022. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
