REAL CHARM OF UPIN AND IPIN
Upin & Ipin Jeng Jeng Jeng, the country’s first live-action animation film, hopes to bring colour to the local industry, writes
“It was difficult. When I watched the behind-the-scenes clips of myself, I realised that I looked like a crazy person talking to myself.”
Puteri Balqis
NO Malaysian can deny the popularity of the animated twin boys Upin and Ipin whose titular TV series has gained legions of fans locally and internationally.
It is a fun tale of 5-year-old twin orphans, who live with their older sister and grandmother. Together with their friends in the neighbourhood, they learn valuable lessons through their daily activities.
Created by Les’ Copaque Production, the boys were first introduced in a TV series on TV9 in 2007 as a Ramadan and Aidilfitri special. The TV series became the third most-watched animated series on Malaysian television, and made its international debut via Disney Channel Asia in 2009.
The series was followed with Upin & Ipin’s first feature film Geng: Pengembaraan
Bermula (also Malaysia’s first CGI-animated film) in 2011.
Local stars Sara Ali and Gambit Saifullah were amazed by Upin & Ipin’s reputation overseas.
“One time, I went to Indonesia and when I told the locals I’m from Kuala Lumpur, and they excitedly replied: ‘Oh, Upin Ipin!’” Sara says. “That made me realise how big the series is.”
While Gambit admits that he has never watched the series, he had a similar experience when he visited the neighbouring country. “Previously, Indonesians relate to Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.
“Nowadays, Upin & Ipin is on the list. The Indonesians know the series better than I do!”
Sara adds: “It’s great to know that the two adorable brothers are making our country known abroad.”
Now Les’ Copaque has its second feature film, Upin & Ipin Jeng
Jeng Jeng! out. Distributed by Primeworks Distribution, the film goes down in history as Malaysia’s first live-action animation film, as it places the animated twin boys in a live-action setting featuring human actors.
THE STORY
Jeng Jeng Jeng!, which stars Sara and Gambit, was filmed in Hulu Langat last October.
It is about young orphan Aqish (Puteri Balqis) who is such a fan of Upin and Ipin that she imagines them to be real. She learns that the owner has come to claim the land on which the orphanage is built. Distraught, she calls for Upin and Ipin’s help.
Jeng Jeng Jeng! is co-directed by Ainon Ariff and Erma Fatima. Les’ Copaque worked on the film in partnership with KRU Studios.
It also stars Awie who plays a struggling artiste. Remy Ishak portrays Awie’s manager and long-time friend Bo.
“Some Upin & Ipin fans don’t know who we are, so our challenge as actors is to appeal to them as much as Upin and Ipin do,” says Sara.
Jeng Jeng Jeng! will also be screened in Singapore and Brunei, so Gambit feels excited to be part of it all. “There’s a universal quality to the story that will attract foreign audiences. The chemistry between the cast members is perfect too.”
LEADING LADY
Sara, who starred in movies Songlap and Nur Kasih The Movie, plays Noreen, the caretaker of the orphanage who is rather attached to Aqish. At the same time, she desperately wants to pursue her own dream of finding a stable job and earning well.
Working on Jeng Jeng Jeng! wasn’t much of a challenge since her character didn’t have to interact with the animated twins directly. The computerised images of Upin and Ipin were added in later during post-production, so the actors had to follow strict rules in terms of positioning.
“We could not stand or walk over a certain spot because that’s where the animators would insert the twins.”
Sara, whose real name is Siti Sarah Hairi Ali, says her career opportunity in Malaysia’s first live-action movie was rewarding. Not only was it her first acting stint in a CGI-laden film, she also worked with one of the best animation production companies in the country.
“What was challenging for me was working with the many child actors. It was fun, but they’re kids after all! They can be so playful that getting them to focus on filming needed a lot of work. Erma had to control not only the actors but also her crew members. I really don’t know how she did it, but she aced it. I learnt a lot just observing her.”
The 26-year-old adds that Erma and Ainon were both on set during the entire filming process. Erma took care of the screenplay while Ainon watched over the CGI work.
Viewing the cast and crew as one big family, Sara says: “I’ve known my fellow cast members from way back, so filming was fun and a breeze. Awie, especially, made things easier, because he was like a fatherly figure to the children, and a big brother to the rest of us on set.”
GAMBIT IS BACK
Jeng Jeng Jeng! marks Gambit’s return