State to be promoted as filming location

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KUCHING: The state government will actively promote Sarawak as a film shooting location for the region through the Tourism Ministry.

The ministry is now looking into various ways to create destinations for moviemakers and film tourists.

“If New Zealand can become the shooting location for the famous Hollywood movie ‘Lord of The Rings’, we believe Sarawak is also a suitable location for the filming of Bollywood movies,” said Assistant Tourism Minister (Local Events and Products) Datuk Gramong Juna on Saturday.

He was representing Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg at the launch of the Sarawak Dayak Filmmaking Association.

Gramong said the ministry would send a delegation to Mumbai, India soon to meet filmmakers there and to further promote Sarawak as a potential movie location.

Such promotion is necessary, he said, because the state has natural settings for movies as well as documentaries.

“We have the national parks, wildlife, mountains, apart from the various ethnic cultures and traditions that can become extra factors for their films and documentaries,” he said.

He pointed out that international filmmakers were still unaware of the state’s potential.

Gramong called on organisations such as the Sarawak Dayak Filmmaking Association to work together to promote the state.

“Film and television, of all media, has the greatest ability to touch upon so many cultural characteristics. It can inform and excite audiences, in the same instance, about our language, history, literature, society, landscapes and personalities.

“This all happens in the form of a narrative framework which gives the audience an emotional, as well as intellectual connection to our beloved nation,” he said.

He added that the ministry needs to collaborate with the film industry and work hand in hand with bodies such as the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and filmmaker associations.