United as one in time of crisis
New film Juang highlights real events involving frontliners and ordinary Malaysians during the height of the pandemic.
AT this point of time when Malaysia has entered the endemic stage, many have forgotten what happened not too long ago when the whole world became crippled due to the pandemic.
Actress Janna Nick pointed out that we have stopped appreciating doctors, nurses, and all other frontline workers who made difficult decisions and sacrifices in order to keep Malaysians safe from the threat of the Covid-19 virus.
“When we were at our worst, they were the ones who were there for us,” said Janna at a press conference for the new movie Juang.
The film, out now at cinemas nationwide, serves as a reminder of the deeds of those people who put their own lives at risk for the sake of others.
In the movie, Janna plays a nurse who works around the clock to save patients but ends up losing some anyway.
“The care and attention from all the doctors and nurses who have no blood relations with the patients is there for us to witness in this movie. That’s how they took care of us in real life then,” she continued.
Like Janna, Juang’s executive producer and actor Jack Lim hoped the film would remind audiences of the struggles every Malaysian experienced two years ago, and of the responsibilities shouldered by individuals who the nation has proclaimed as superheroes.
“The film shows why we must continue to appreciate our frontliners and that there are reasons behind their actions,” Lim said.
“If, during the lockdown, you were angry at the traffic police for stopping you from moving around too freely, the film gives a perspective of what the officers actually went through to enforce that policy,” he added.
In the film, Lim portrays a travelling Malaysian who is stuck in Wuhan, China, during the lockdown.
After weeks of being cooped up in his hotel room and far from his family, he is elated when Malaysia decides to send a plane to bring back 113 Malaysians stranded in Wuhan.
However, the journey to catch the plane proves to be difficult for this passenger.
“This is based on a true story,” said Lim. “A plane did go to Wuhan to pick up the Malaysians from there.
“When you think about it, who would want to go there at that time. It’s ground zero of the global pandemic. And we didn’t have vaccines back then.
“But still there were volunteer pilots, flight attendants and medics who were willing to go to Wuhan and bring back the 113 Malaysians. It is a very touching story of what can happen when we unite as one.”
Co-director Aziz M.
Osman agreed: “This is the second time I am watching the film and I am still touched by the stories.
“Although I am one of the directors, I feel emotional when watching the film because this is a story that originates from all of us. This is something that we experienced in our lifetime.
“Two of my friends passed away due to Covid-19, and that sense of loss is something that too many of us, unfortunately, share.”
Similarly, actress Vanidah Imran confessed she teared up a few times while watching the movie.
“Participating in this movie, I came to understand just a tiny bit of what our frontliners went through,” she said.
“Wearing PPE during filming was torturous for me. So, I really appreciate all the things that our frontliners went through and the sacrifices they made.”
Actor Zul Ariffin added: “In a movie, there are usually a hero and an antagonist. But in this one, we see how all Malaysians are heroes.”
Five directors, over 500 players
The production of Juang was announced in the later part of 2020 by Datuk Rosyam Nor, as well as producers Matt Lai (Asia Tropical Films) and Lim (The Film Engine).
Five directors – namely Aziz, Lai, Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim, Kabir Bhatia and Osman Ali – signed on to bring to life Malaysia’s Covid-19 journey on the big screen.
Besides them, the film also features more than 500 players from the Malaysian entertainment industry – 100 of which are artistes embodying the main parts, 235 cast members in supporting roles and some 165 crew members working behind the scenes.
Thanks to this amazing number, Juang was acknowledged by Malaysia Book Of Records for having the “Biggest Cast In A Feature Film”.
Some of the other actors in Juang are Zizan Razak, Izzue Islam, Sangeeta Krishnasamy, Chew Kin Wah, Steve Yap, Datuk Jalaludin Hassan, Lisdawati, Fahrin Ahmad, Pekin Ibrahim, Cedric Loo, Luqman Hafidz, Angeline Tan, Wanna Ali, Dian P. Ramlee, Silfeny Osman, Priscilla Abby, Gadrick Chin and the late Adibah Noor.
Juang also boasts the talents of Datuk Sheila Majid and Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza for the soundtrack.
Sheila performs the song Wira Hatiku, accompanied by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, while Siti sings the track Sama Sama.
According to Lim, they got as many people from the local showbiz involved in Juang as they were jobless due to filming activities being halted for so long. The movie was shot in April 2021.
Lim told StarLifestyle :“Alotof the crew members are freelancers. So, we wanted to make a movie where we can hire a lot of people.
“With five directors, each director would bring their own favoured set of crew members. This way, we could get as many people involved as possible and let them know that the industry is not dead.
“As times were hard, we didn’t want the industry players to suddenly change jobs, as we’d end up losing all the experts in our field.
“Now that we are in the endemic stage, I am so thankful to see everyone is back to being busy. It’s great that many of them remained in this industry.”
Divide and conquer
There are multiple stories in Juang and the five directors managed different parts.
Lai helmed the hospital drama centring around nurses and doctors; Yusry handled the storyline about two policemen whose jobs are often to diffuse a tense situation due to the public’s annoyance; and Aziz took on the bit about a kind food delivery rider who tries to help people beyond her job scope.
Kabir shot the airport scenes for the story of Malaysians at Wuhan boarding the plane to return home, while Osman took care of the plot involving Lim’s character trying to get to the airport at Wuhan.
The film also explores what happens to an already struggling family after a husband suddenly loses his job, and of a doctor who can’t hug his wife and child as he must quarantine himself at home.
Lai explained how the shared ideas became one movie: “All five directors filmed at the same time.
“We had many discussions to make sure everything was consistent, that we were able to combine the scenes seamlessly as one story.”
Similar to how everyone worked together to make Juang a reality, Rosyam acknowledged that the work itself showcases all the people in Malaysia, regardless of race and background.
“We are one family after all, and that is Malaysia,” he said.
Lim, who lost more than 10 people close to him to Covid-19, said: “I feel we are lucky because we are still alive. When this virus struck, a lot of people died.
“We should stop all the talk that divide us, because at the end of the day, we are all Malaysians.
“I hope we can work together, find a better future for all of us.
“I feel like we were given a second chance, let’s not waste it.”