KUCHING: An animated film about James Brooke, Sarawak's first White Rajah, is set to hit the big screen in two years' time.
The White Rajah of Sarawak is an adaptation of an original musical created by the staff and students of St Joseph's Private Secondary School.
The school's holding company St Joseph Education Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding with local animation studio Motion Foundry Sdn Bhd on the adaptation here on Tuesday (May 5).
St Joseph's Private Schools chief executive officer Christopher Chua said the musical, written by former teacher and principal Father Alvin Ng, was staged in 2017 and 2019.
"For us, this play has always been more than just a production.
"It demonstrates our belief in the transformative power of the performing arts in education," he said.
Chua said the musical highlighted Sarawak's history and culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, helping students better understand their roots and identity.
Following the MOU, he added, the animation would give the story a wider reach beyond the school community to audiences in Sarawak and beyond.
The MOU signing was witnessed by Brooke Trust chairman Jason Brooke - a sixth-generation descendant of the Brooke dynasty - and Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas) board member Gregory Wee.
Motion Foundry executive producer Amy Khiu said bringing the musical to the animated screen was a dream the studio had been working towards since being involved in filming the school's stage production.
She said the 75min animated film will follow James Brooke's story of coming to Sarawak in the 1840s and becoming the first Rajah.
"But this film is not only about him. It is also about the people of Sarawak, their friendships, loyalty, struggle, and the moments that shaped our history," she said.
Director Siew Chung Lee said the animation was scheduled for release in cinemas on July 22, 2028, coinciding with Sarawak Day.
"I think we will have sufficient time to develop the animation but it will take a lot of local talents to work together with us.
"We need to discuss with the original scriptwriter how to sync the essence of the story into an animated film.
"Then we will open auditions for the cast, which is not finalised yet," he said.
Khiu added that character design will start next month.
"We have a timeline for production and we chose July 22 to air it because it is a meaningful date for Sarawakians," she said.
