KUALA LUMPUR: Singer and actress Bella Astillah welcomes the increased presence of "made in Sabah" films in the Klang Valley.
Such films may or may not have fully Sabahan casts and crews, but they help popularise historical, cultural and contemporary stories of the people of her home state.
Bella, who hails from Kota Kinabalu, said that films such as Tombiruo, Tangisan Akinabalu, Silence Of The 177 and most recently Danum were "good avenues" to introduce Sabahan stories to Klang Valley audiences.
"Perhaps some of these films have been criticised for not using the Sabah Malay dialect, but I believe it is okay if the films tell stories that audiences around Malaysia can appreciate, enjoy and learn useful lessons," said Bella at the launch of the A Night With Sumandak Stars — Ceritera Hatiku concert at a hotel, here yesterday.
"While these films may have a mix of Peninsular, Sarawak and Sabah actors and actresses, what is important is they have Sabahans as their main characters and the producers are well-versed in Sabah's lifestyle, folklore and destinations."
Bella said that Danum, for instance, carried the message of environmental protection and saw singer-actress Marsha Milan Londoh play an undercover police officer who nabbed illegal loggers, while Tangisan Akinabalu highlighted the courage of the mountain guides who rescued mountaineers during the 2015 earthquake on Mount Kinabalu, and had comedian Atu of Zero fame from Kudat play one of them.
Bella is one of seven Sabahan singers in the upcoming concert, organised by Orange International, set to take place in Zepp KL on Nov 30.
A first concert for Sabah's female artistes, it also features her younger sister Didi Astillah, Wani Kayrie, Marsha, Nikki Palikat, Stacy Anam and Adira Suhaimi.
In the two-hour concert, each artiste will perform three to four songs, including duets and medleys.
They will sing in three languages namely Malay, English and Kadazan-Dusun.