KUCHING: Tegkang, a film that serves as a cultural bridge, invites audiences to explore the beauty of Bario and the richness of the Kelabit culture.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Bario highlands Tegkang, premiering on Nov 28, marks a historic milestone as the first film to spotlight Kelabit culture while showcasing the region’s breathtaking natural beauty.
Syafie Naswip, who played the male lead, Hanafi, highlighted the captivating beauty of Bario, describing its unique terrain as reminiscent of something out of Jurassic Park, with rolling, curved landscapes that are truly one of a kind.
“I thought, wow, it’s amazing that Malaysia has a place like this as before this, when people wanted to travel for beautiful scenery, they’d think of Bali or other places like that to get those picture-perfect moments.
“Sometimes, there are things like that, beautiful moments that can’t be captured, only stored in your memory. That’s how it felt in Bario.
“Bario is incredibly calming. It’s one of those places I would visit repeatedly,” he said during a press conference with the Tegkang main cast here Wednesday (Nov 27).
Syafie said if this film reaches other places, it can attract people’s interest, which will bring significant benefits.
“Through this film, you can absorb much, depending on what you’re seeking in life,” he said, highlighting the depth and diversity of Tegkang as a window into the world of Bario and the Kelabit community.
He also hoped that this isn’t the last time films about ethnic groups are showcased in local cinema.
“We, as people from the peninsula, want to know what else Sarawak has to offer. It’s not just about the same old urban stories or typical dramas.
“Whether it’s Sarawak, Sabah, or even the peninsula,we are all part of Malaysia. It’s time to showcase talents from other regions. Malaysia is vast, and we have so many stories to share with the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Michelle Lungan, who plays the main character Rinai, said her intention was truly to elevate the Kelabit community.
“As a Kelabit myself. There are still many people, even in Malaysia, who don’t know much about the Kelabit but we can already see the positive feedback from this film itself.
“People are starting to recognise the Kelabit. For example, they ask, what isTegkang? What does it mean? In the Kelabit language, Tegkang means rainbow.
“People are learning new words, and hopefully, when they watch the film, they will unintentionally pick up more Kelabit vocabulary,’ she said.
She added that Tegkang not only showcases the rich culture of Sarawak’s ethnic groups but also weaves in universal values such as keeping promises and embracing the concept of freedom.
“Tegkang is not just a love story between a man and a woman. It’s something everyone can relate to in their everyday lives. When you care about someone, you naturally connect with their community, and this is something we should all strive to do, to understand the native communities around us.
“If you truly want to know someone, you must understand their entire community. That’s one of the precious values that Tegkang highlights. It also delves into themes of family relationships, letting go, and much more,” she said.
