It’s plane exciting!

Actresses Dyvianna James and Jasmine Leddar tell Dennis Chua of their debut roles in C144, where they go in search of a US aircraft which crashed in the jungles of Perak

Budding actresses Dyvianna James and Jasmine Leddar (third and fifth from left) with the cast of C144.

SHE has a background in musical theatre and grew up singing the unforgettable tunes of Broadway and its musicals in annual performances at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC). Such exposure helped Dyvianna James, 29, of Tambunan, Sabah, overcome her initial shyness and prepare her for a potential introduction to American film audiences next year.

She is one of 10 Malaysians who are starring in Redboy Productions’ first film

which will be filmed between December and March next year.

The film will also be screened in the US. Set in the tropical jungles of the Bintang Range in central Perak, the two-hour film boasts local actors as well as an international cast from Thailand, China and the United Kingdom. In it, Dyvianna plays a doctor who is part of a 20-man mission to find a crashed World War Two aircraft belonging to the United States’ Air Force.

SCREEN DREAMS IN THE JUNGLE “While it’s going to be very exciting, I have to prepare myself well for the shoot by keeping healthy and exercising to stay fit,” said Dyvianna at a Press conference to introduce the Malaysian cast of the film in W Space, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur recently.

“My character’s name is Aishah and that’s similar to one of my favourite singers,

Aishah Ariffin of fame. I can easily identify with this young and compassionate doctor because she is a voice of reason. She plays a key role in looking after the team members who fall sick or get hurt,” she explained.

While exposes Dyvianna to a “rough and rugged” film location, she is “game, set and match” for it because it is a refreshing change from the feel-good Broadway musical showcases she has participated in for five years.

“It’s good to get rough and tough for a change. After all, I love watching adventure films and it’s a dream come true to be part of one — better still if it’s going to Hollywood!”

Jasmine Leddar, 30, of Kuching, Sarawak, is a “Bollywood beauty” to her close friends but the accountancy graduate from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, prefers to play the tough cookie in films.

“I’m lucky to be cast as a brave, headstrong journalist in my first film — and no, she’s not a glamour girl a la Lois Lane.

“While the producers haven’t settled on her name yet, I love my character because she is a realistic professional who thinks on her feet and has a good grasp of general knowledge,” said Jasmine, who has lived in Australia for eight years.

She has acted in television advertisements for Tabung Haji, Hotlink, Digi and Nescafe since last year. While she has not decided to become a full-time actress, acting gives her “lots of satisfaction”.

“I’m a movie buff and I enjoy American productions. When I was a child, I always dreamt of getting a role in a Malaysian or an American movie... well, looks like my wish has finally come true. I’m loving it!”

IN SEARCH OF INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE

producer Aaron Lim said his interest in World War Two history compelled him to make his first feature film.

He was fortunate to befriend army officer Capt Jiva Rajan, who enlightened him on the true story of an American military aircraft C47B that crashed on Gunung Bubu, one of the prominent mountains in the Bintang Range near Manong, Kuala Kangsar.

“I roped in Jiva to be the associate producer of as he was involved in a successful mission to locate the crashed aircraft two years ago,” said Lim.

“It crashed on one of the lower peaks of the mountain on Nov 17, 1945, and Jiva’s 300-strong team found it after an intensive week-long search.”

The film, Lim elaborated, was not about the actual search but a fictitious one by a team of Malaysians, Americans and British military personnel and civilians.

“The international expedition faces lots of danger as it goes deep into the tropical mountain forest. Many strange incidents occur and these add to the suspense and excitement,” said Lim who will promote

in Hong Kong, China and the United States.

Redboy plans to screen in 10 countries once it is completed mid next year and cinemagoers in China and the United States are the target audiences.

The other Malaysian actors include Ibrahim Edward, 26, Adery Chin, 25, Koey Har, 22, and Tam Loong Wah, 40.

“We decided to cast newcomers in the film to make it look realistic. Many of the actors are required to explore the mountain forest though but they will not be made to exert themselves like mountaineers,” explained Lim.