KUALA LUMPUR: Local film Juang is a labour of love featuring close to 100 actors and over 200 production members.
Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the meaningful project is proceeding smoothly by adhering to the strict SOP.
The ambitious film features six storylines that have been interlinked into a single narrative with each helmed by different directors, namely Kabir Bhatia, Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim, Aziz M. Osman, Osman Ali, Erma Fatima and Matt Lai.
"Juang follows the stories of our frontliners. It not only features what they go through but the film is also a show of appreciation to them from us local filmmakers," said Lai in a news report today.
Lai, who is also Juang's executive producer, added that there were stories inspired by true events.
"The frontliners we present are doctors, nurses, police and military personnel, as well as food delivery staff and many more.
"There are fictional stories and also real ones that were adapted for this film.
"Among them is one where our government had sent help to Wuhan in China during the first MCO last year.
"There were a few of our citizens who were stranded there and were brought home. So that is just one that inspired us to add to the storyline," he said.
On the challenges of working with six directors, the co-founder of production company Asia Tropical Films Sdn Bhd said that each of them had their own ideas and ways of working.
"After coming up with the framework for this project, I went looking for each director to meet up and discuss things with them. Aside from me, Datuk Rosyam Nor of Suhan Movies and Jack Lim of The Film Engine also served as executive producers.
"It was challenging for everyone since each director had his own concept. But I combined everything according to a concept that had already been planned since I also wrote the script for the film.
"I hope that viewers will enjoy this work that features a different concept and idea," he said.
Talking about the strict SOP, Lai said that it was a workable challenge.
"Our SOP was really strict as there was a large number of personnel for our production. So we divided our workspace into two separate sections, with one as our base and the other as our filming set.
"All production members and actors had to scan their MySejahtera app and take their temperature every single time they enter the two locations.
"Aside from that, there was physical distancing enforced and reminders for all crew and artistes to change their face masks every four hours," he said.
Lai added that all of the actors had to take a swab test before filming began.
"This was important for the safety of everyone. So any crew member or artiste that tested positive had to immediately stop working and leave the production.
"We are very thankful to the cleaning team from Cuckoo that helped to sanitise each of the filming locations before shooting began," he said.
Currently, almost all filming work for Juang has been carried out prior to the enforcement of the third MCO.
"All of the crucial chapters have been completed. We only have about two days more to finish up the minor scenes and may continue with filming after the current MCO is lifted.
"As for the release date, we are hoping to premiere on Malaysia Day. However, everything will depend on how the situation is. We would like to screen the film after the pandemic in Malaysia has subsided," he said.
Some of the stars in Juang's ensemble cast include Janna Nick, Zul Ariffin, Izzue Islam, Zizan Razak and many more.