Archive - 12th Five Flavours Film Festival
Dukun
Awards and festivals
Film description
A cat-eyed beauty is waiting for her execution on a death row. Is she a devious seductress, guilty of a premeditated murder, or does she possess deadly, dark powers, as she herself claims? Her public defender is searching for his long-lost daughter, but to no avail. The accused rekindles his hope of finding the girl. Though he is far from believing in black magic, he will try everything in his power to find his daughter. But as the investigation progresses, terrible secrets start coming to life...
"Dukun," the legendary debut of one of the most original Malaysian filmmakers, Dain Said ("Bunohan", "Interchange"), spent 11 years hidden away in the studio. Considered too controversial to be shown in 2006, it finally hit the screens and became an instant box-office success. The curiosity of the audiences was satisfied – this atmospheric thriller is a full-blooded, well-led story with clear-cut protagonists and elaborate visuals. The saturated, grainy picture brings to mind the classics of the genre, and so does the expressive acting (Umie Aida, who plays the heroine, spent two months living with a python to base her role of the dark seductress on its movements). The thrilling plot connects supernatural elements with the story of female sexuality, basic instincts, the forgotten shamanic traditions, and religious dilemmas.
Jagoda Murczyńska
Dain Said
Born in Kuala Lumpur, director ans screenwriter. After graduating from the film department at the University of Westminister in London, Said made commercials and worked for TV. In 2006, he shot his feature debut "Dukun" in Malaysia, but its premiere was put on hold. "Bunohan," whose distribution was not restricted, became one of the biggest box office hits in Malaysia in 2011, and was the country’s official Oscars entry.
2006 Dukun
2011 Bunohan / Bunohan. Return to Murder
2016 Przemiana / Interchange
