Being a movie star might seem glamorous and glitzy, but it comes with lots of challenges and responsibilities behind the scenes.
This is something Malaysian actress Daiyan Trisha can attest to.
At a recent press conference to promote her new horror film Sumpahan Jerunai, in which she plays the protagonist’s close friend Hana, Daiyan revealed that she had a panic attack while shooting a scene where she was drowning in a mud sinkhole.
Describing it as a “traumatising experience”, the 29-year-old said: “I felt pressured to get this scene right on the first take as it would take a long time for me to dry my hair and reshoot the scene all over again.
“However, I had a panic attack on the first take because when I was pulled down (into the sinkhole), I was actually drowning in reality.
“After I got out, I couldn’t speak nor breathe properly. It was (an experience) that really affected me,” she added.
Despite the traumatising experience, Daiyan remained strong and went on to film the scene right after she calmed down from her panic attack.
But the physical challenge didn’t stop there.
According to Daiyan, she contracted an ear infection shortly after filming this sequence.
“The coconut fibre which was also used to create this sinkhole entered my ear, and I had to visit the doctor a few times,” she said, adding that she had to live with the pain for quite some time.
Daiyan's co-star, Uqasha Senrose also showed full commitment while shooting the movie in which she played Bee, a member of a heritage preservation agency with a strong interest in mystical phenomena.
For her role, the 31-year-old recalled having to swim in a “murky and smelly river” that had baby crocodiles and monitor lizards inside.
“For the scene where I was pulled underwater, it was actually filmed in a large pool. I had this metal strapped to me and it would pull me underwater.
“But for the scene where I was on the surface, it was filmed in an actual river in Sarawak.
“Aside from monitor lizards, I also saw baby crocodiles, small snakes, diapers and pads in the river. And don’t even get me started on the smell,” she added.
Despite being hesitant at first, Uqasha said she had no choice but to go through with it as it was her duty as an actress to deliver the best performance possible.
Directed by Jason Chong, Sumpahan Jerunai follows the journey of Dr Sani (Bront Palarae) and his team of archaeologists who embark on an expedition to study the Jerunei, a traditional Melanau burial pole.
However, things take a turn for the worse when the spirits from the Jerunai start haunting each of the members.
According to the film’s producers Datuk Nancie Foo and Datin Wendy Wong, this RM5mil project is an ambitious attempt to promote the ancient history, culture and practices of the Melanau ethnic group in Sarawak.
The movie will be screened at the 6th edition of the Asean International Film Festival (AIFFA) in Kuching, Sarawak today (July 20).
In a statement, Foo said that she and Wong have been promoting the concept of Sumpahan Jerunei at many international film festivals since 2016.
“Among them include the Hong Kong International TV & Film Market 2016, Singapore’s Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), the Busan Film Festival in Korea and the Marche Du Film Festival in Cannes,” she added.
Presently, distributors from Cambodia and Vietnam are interested in screening the movie.
“We will also be submitting Sumpahan Jerunei to more international film festivals, including in the United States, after the movie is screened in Malaysia,” Foo said.
Sumpahan Jerunei also stars Syafie Naswip, Amerul Affendi, Tony Eusoff and Ruminah Sidek.
The movie will premiere in cinemas nationwide on July 27.
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