KUCHING: In an era of streaming platforms and cinemas, who would have thought that Wayang Pacak (open-air cinema), would still appeal to generations?
To this day, Wayang Pacak remains a cherished memory for seniors and, interestingly, a new experience younger Sarawakians seem eager to discover.
The possible revival of Wayang Pacak in Sarawak is therefore drawing interest from both older residents and younger Sarawakians.
Seventy-year-old retiree, Zaidi Abang Karim, is among those hoping to see it return.
For Zaidi, the open-air cinema remains a fond memory of the time when people gathered in fields beneath the starry sky to enjoy a movie together.
He recalled watching Malay dramas at the Kampung Pusa field, where a projector and white screen would be set up for villagers to gather, with some spreading mats on the ground to watch.
“Wayang Pacak was usually held at the field, especially the school field in Kampung Pusa, and screenings usually lasted about an hour and a half, with tickets costing maybe between 20 sen and RM1,” he said.
He recalled that screenings were not held regularly but were sometimes organised during school holidays, festivals, boat races and political campaigns, with projectors brought from Kuching or nearby towns to villages.
“Back then, there was not much entertainment in the villages, so people would come together and have a good time,” he said.
He added that he would be willing to attend again if Wayang Pacak made a comeback.
“I would definitely go and watch if it was free,” he said jokingly, adding that seating could be arranged similarly to outdoor concerts that were often held at Kuching Waterfront.
A similar sense of nostalgia was shared by 66-year-old housewife, Norlia Abang Julaihi.
Norlia, who first watched Wayang Pacak at about age 16, recalled going with friends to open spaces where films were screened using a projector and large screen.
She said screenings were often held around the Crocker Road area, now known as Jalan Hashim Jaafar, particularly during community celebrations and boat-racing events.
She also recalled sometimes watching Wayang Pacak at Padang Central, now known as Padang Merdeka.
Among the films she remembered were Charlie Chaplin productions and Tamil movies, while some screenings also featured dramas performed by villagers.
“At that time, there was not much entertainment like today, so whenever there was Wayang Pacak, we really looked forward to it.
“It was enjoyable to gather, chat and watch movies together with my friends,” she recalled.
For Norlia, however, the lasting memory was not necessarily the films but the people and atmosphere surrounding them.
She said she would gladly attend again if Wayang Pacak returned, as she missed the atmosphere of people coming together and enjoying the night.
Meanwhile, for younger Sarawakians, the idea is less about nostalgia and more about experiencing something they have never had.
Nineteen-year-old student, Muhammad Aiman Afiq, said Wayang Pacak could offer something streaming platforms such as Netflix could not such as the experience of watching a film together with the wider community.
He suggested holding screenings at the Kuching Waterfront, including patriotic films such as Bravo 5 during the National Month period.
“I think what would be great about Wayang Pacak is if it could be held at the Waterfront. We could enjoy the Waterfront surroundings while watching films, especially during the National Month period.
“We could screen movies such as Bravo 5 or films about the struggles of previous generations to strengthen patriotic spirit among young people,” he said enthusiastically.
He also said Bravo 5 would be a suitable choice as it highlights love for the country, patriotism and the willingness to sacrifice for the nation, values he felt should be instilled among young people in today’s technology-driven era.
“We could even wear traditional clothes while watching,” he said with a laugh.
Fellow 19-year-old student, Muhammad Rifqi, said he had never experienced Wayang Pacak but found the idea interesting and would be willing to attend if it returned.
“In my opinion, I think it would be interesting. I have never heard of Wayang Pacak before, at least not during the time I have lived here.
“So it would give young people and others a chance to experience something new for the first time,” he said.
On holding Wayang Pacak at the Waterfront or Padang Merdeka, he said the open and accessible spaces would allow people to bring mats, gather comfortably and enjoy the film while spending time with others.
He added that its revival could introduce younger people to a form of entertainment unfamiliar to their generation while giving people an opportunity to meet and interact.
Wayang Pacak was once a familiar form of entertainment in rural communities and was associated with the Information Department and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) as a medium for delivering information to the public through entertainment.
A Facebook post by Jagat Impak on April 29, 2025, described Wayang Pacak as a popular form of public entertainment from around the 1960s to 1970s, with mobile Information Department units travelling from one village to another to hold free screenings at school fields and open spaces.
The screenings usually began around 8:00 pm and relied on generators and 16mm film projectors, particularly in rural areas without television sets or electricity at the time.
The idea of reviving Wayang Pacak was highlighted during the Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFest) 2026 as a way of combining nostalgia, community and the creative industry.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recently said there was potential for Wayang Pacak to continue beyond BAGFest, pointing out that the initiative could also be expanded into a wider ‘Wayang Pacak’ tour across Sarawak, including towns such as Kapit through the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation’s (SDEC) Digital Innovation Hub network.
