Kota Kinabalu: An upcoming documentary on the world’s first wildlife motion picture shot in British North Borneo (now Sabah) that caused a sensation when first screened in theatres in New York and Europe in 1920 is certain to revive interest on Sabah.
Titled “Jungle Adventures: The Lost Film” the documentary featured the Dusunic Rumanau and Murutic Tenggara tribes who inhabited the Kinabatangan at the time and wildlife such as Orang Utans and Proboscis monkeys which western audiences saw for the first time, among others.
Renowned Malaysian documentary filmmakers Noreini and Norhayati Abdul Rahman, known for their earlier work on “Saudin, the Orang Utan Whisperer” stumbled upon the footage that was fragile but in still legible condition after extensive research in US and European archives.
“This will be a new tourism product to promote Sabah to the world,” said State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
She believes the 105-year-old documentary and a follow-up done titled “Borneo” in 1935 by Hollywood husband-and wife team Martin and Osa Johnson would enhance Sabah’s appeal as a premier ecotourism destination.
Liew said the documentary would be a wonderful way to show the world what makes Sabah a top destination for nature lovers.
“The Johnsons’ work shows us what North Borneo looked like more than 100 years ago. Their films are a real, historical look at our beautiful forests, iconic wildlife and friendly local communities a century ago.
“It will also be a way to honour their contribution and show our strong commitment to protect nature. By looking at the past, we can show people what we have today. We can show how we have worked hard to save much of that original beauty and life.
“I am confident that the documentary will encourage a new group of travellers who want real and special experiences, and long to visit a place that truly cares about both its people and its natural world,” she said.
The Minister commended Rye Production for its bold initiative to retrieve the “missing film” with the help of the Safari Museum in Kansas.
“The State Government through my Ministry appreciates what you are doing and fully support 7your trailblazing venture,” she said.
“It’s amazing that you are going to bring this visual history back to life. It’s truly a treasure for Sabah, and I am eager for our people to experience these century-old glimpses of our land and culture,” she said.
Liew said she is excited that such a priceless piece of Sabah’s history survived. “I was filled with pride that our state had been captured by the pioneering filmmakers Martin and Osa Johnson so long ago.”“As Minister of Tourism, this discovery means a lot for Sabah and its people. It is a gift to us as it reconnects us with our past.
"It means we can finally witness scenes of our ancestors, our wildlife, and our landscapes as they were a hundred years ago.
She said from a tourism perspective, it adds a unique story that we can share globally, highlighting Sabah’s long-standing appeal and giving visitors a new appreciation of our history and natural beauty.”The producers informed the minister that the documentary, when ready, will be distributed through national television, film festivals and online platforms, among other channels, and aims to reach a wide audience both locally and internationally.
