British Council Logo UK Films Database
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 project
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
Co-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
Composer
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

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

Suggest amendments

See also

You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.

Victorian Psycho Victorian Psycho

Director: Zachary Wigon

Year: 2026

n 1858, an eccentric young governess, Winifred Notty, arrives at the remote gothic manor Ensor House. As Winifred assimilates, staff begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners wonder if something is amiss about this new governess. Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2026 - World premiere - Un Certain Regard

Horror Thriller
A Town in Nova Scotia A Town in Nova Scotia

Director: Babak Jalali

Year: 2026

Leon, a widowed Irish senior, lives in a Merseyside council flat near his best friend Saleh. When Saleh needs help after surgery and news breaks of a deadly tower fire, Leon wrestles with his daughter's offer to relocate to Canada.

Drama
The Queen of Fashion The Queen of Fashion

Director: Alex Marx

Year: 2026

A raucous celebration of the life and legacy of the late, great artistic visionary and fashion icon, Isabella Blow. Telling the incredible true story of Issie's magical ability to discover unknown, marginalized artists, like designer Alexander McQueen, milliner Philip Treacy, and model Sophie Dahl, and turn them into global icons, all whilst battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder.

Biography Drama