ANN/THE STAR – In a significant acquisition, American company House Of Film has secured the global distribution rights, with the exception of Asia, for the Malaysian horror film “Sumpahan Jerunei,” as reported by Variety.
The movie, directed by Jason Chong, known for his works in “Adiwiraku” and “Gemencheh Boys,” features a stellar cast including Bront Palarae, Uqasha Senrose, Syafie Naswip, Tony Eusoff, Daiyan Trisha, and Amerul Affendi.
Produced by Datin Wendy Wong and Datuk Nancie Foo of Produksi Seni 2020, the film immerses viewers in the rich traditions and rituals of the Melanau tribe in Sarawak.
It was originally released in Malaysia in July this year.
Sumpahan Jerunei will be known as Curse of the Totem in the international market.
It’s reported that House of Film will “launch the film to international buyers at the upcoming American Film Market”.
Sumpahan Jerunei has proven to have a good track record already with global audiences when it made its round at international film festivals earlier this year.
So far it has won five trophies at the Florence Film Festival in Italy and one at Paris Film Awards in France including for Best Director (Chong), Best Cinematographer (Harris Hue Abdullah) and Best Original Score (Sharon Paul).
It also received recognition at the New York Cinematographer Awards in the Best Cinematographer (feature film), Best Actress (Uqasha) and Best Supporting Actor (Tony) categories.
The story, said to be inspired by real events, tells of a group of people who goes to Sarawak for an expedition. One of them is Dr Sani – an archaeology professor – who is there to look for his wife who disappeared while studying a Jerunei totem.
But the spirit of the place soon gets to the team, and they begin experiencing hallucinations, excruciating pain and nightmares.
Variety quoted a House of Film representative saying this about Sumpahan Jerunei: “This is an especially distinctive urban legend story that keeps you on the edge-of-your-seat knowing it is inspired by true events.”
