Kota Kinabalu: Local film producer John Samud of “Namatai: From Kinabalu with Love” lodged a police report, recently, against an online film streaming platform for illegally uploading and screening the film.
John said that the police report, made at the Karamunsing Police Station, was intended as a reference for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the relevant authorities to take action.
When filing the report, he was accompanied by Kota Kinabalu Film and Video Association (KKFVA) President Chester Pang and KKFVA training bureau chief Zahm Zulkifli.
“On Thursday night, I was informed by an acquaintance that my film, ‘Namatai’, was being screened without permission on an online platform,” he said.
Pang said that the online platform operator’s irresponsible actions had impacted the film’s potential for distribution in the international market.
It was reported that KKFVA would exhibit local films at the Tiffcom Film Market in Tokyo, Japan, from Oct 30-Nov 1 to seek potential distribution partners.
John is one of the local film producers interested in joining the programme.
A check on the online platform mentioned in the police report found that the film was still accessible and available in full high-definition resolution.
“Namatai: From Kinabalu with Love” is one of four Sabah films that were screened in cinemas last year.
The film’s production cost was nearly RM1 million, and it received funding support from the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).
The film tells the story of love and sacrifice between an English officer, John, and a Dusun girl, Onduri, during the Japanese occupation.
Marlin Malalin directed it, while Enn Xaviera and Yusri John were in the lead roles.
