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Project Detail

Semangat (Spirit)

Synopsis

In the jungles of Borneo, an Iban father on the cusp of old age begins a river journey to seek medical help for his sick child. Along the way, the boy is troubled by recurring visions of a strange figure who appears on the river bank. As the journey progresses, father and son are drawn inexorably to a final encounter with the mythical 'transformed' shaman who dwells deep inside the jungle.

Semangat was made by working closely with one Iban longhouse community from Sarawak, Malaysia with whom the story was devised and filmed. Set in the jungles of Borneo, the basis of the film explores the conflict that exists between ancient animist beliefs and modern approaches to illness. The main protagonists of the film are a real father and son, and a retired shaman from this community.

Semangat is a micro-budget hybrid docu-fiction film funded by The Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation, The UK Film Council/CTBF John Brabourne Award and Screen South. It has been produced under the creative guidance of award winning filmmaker, Pawel Pawlikowski (Last Resort, My Summer of Love). It has been co-produced with The National Film and Television School.

Details

Year
2010
Type of film
Features
Running time
44 mins
Format
HDCAM
Director
Adam Gutch, Chu-Li Shewring 1st Feature
Producer
Pawel Pawlikowski, Dick Fontaine, Jess Search, Maxyne Franklin, Nik Powell
Editor
Chu-Li Shewring
Screenwriter
Adam Gutch, Chu-Li Shewring
Director of Photography
Adam Gutch
Sound
Chu-Li Shewring
Music
Mat Davidson
Principal cast
Tambi Anak Kasi, Delly Anak Tambi, Ujan Anak Paing

Genre

Experimental Horror Woman Director Asian Drama Fantasy Sci-Fi

Categories

Fiction Documentary Artist Project and Video / Experimental

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Flying Ant Films Ltd

32 Russell Gdns
Golders Green
London NW11 9NL
UK

T+44 (0)777 379 3931

adam@flyingant.org.uk

National Film and Television School

Beaconsfield Studios
Station Road
Beaconsfield
Bucks HP9 1LG
UK

T+44 (0)1494 671 234

info@nfts.co.uk

Sales Company

Flying Ant Films Ltd

32 Russell Gdns
Golders Green
London NW11 9NL
UK

T+44 (0)777 379 3931

adam@flyingant.org.uk

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