Documentary KITA premiers showcasing Sabah's diversity, unity

KOTA KINABALU: Locally-produced documentary KITA highlighting Sabah multi-ethnic diversity premiered here on Saturday (Feb 11).

The 105-minute documentary intertwines the state's unique multi-ethnic and religious communities' way of life including interracial-ethnic and religious marriages as well as the arts and food.

"It is a really fantastic film, it reflects a lot about Sabah," Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madangkir who represented Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor, said after attending the premiere at the City Mall Cineplex.

He said that the production team did a very good job and had successfully highlighted Sabah's way of life as well as promoted the state's culture and food.

The documentary was produced in collaboration with the Sabah Unity in Diversity Community Partners (SUIDCP) and funded by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).

Producer Lim Hock Song said that it involved an all-local production crew and it took them about two years to complete the movie which faced delays due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

The documentary was shot in 15 different locations in Sabah - Kota Kinabalu, Donggongon, Papar, Tamparuli, Kiulu, Keningau, Tambunan, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Kundasang, Ranau, Pitas, Sandakan and Semporna - as well as in Kuala Lumpur.

"The theme of the film spans three segments - Diversity is Strength, Diversity is Beautiful, Diversity is Delicious," Lim said, adding that he hoped the film could help all Malaysians see strength in diversity from the way of life of the people in the state.

He said they filmed major festivals of ordinary Sabahans including Christmas, Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival Hari Raya, Pesta Kaamatan and two marriages.

"We also went to a remote kampung in Ranau to show an NGO using their local art skills to raise funds to help rural villagers raise funds to set up electricity supply through a mini-hydro project," he said.

"We definitely feel the Sabah story of unity in diversity. It must be told to the whole of Malaysia," he added.

KITA will be available for public viewing from March 3 onwards at Cineplex Cinema, City Mall here.

Lim said that any organization, company or NGO wanting to screen the documentary for fundraising or fellowship could rent a cinema hall with a 100 to 180-seat capacity at a cost of RM500 onwards.

They are also seeking people, who want to air the documentary in different cities, towns or even villages in different parts of Sabah or Malaysia, to contact them via Facebook or Instagram.