Pangazou is very tough, says Wilton

Wilton in one of the scenes..

LOCAL actor Wilton Hamdih Gudol, who plays Somboi, one of the leading casts in the 13-episode television series, Pangazou, said, “It is very tough. Of all the productions that I have been in, this is one of the toughest because of the fighting scenes.”

A large part of the television series consists of fighting scenes and so most of the actors would have to learn the choreography before going into the shoot.

Wilton, who has been in a local telemovies like Khabar Angin Dari Borneo and drama series Cinta Seteguh Kinabalu, also had to learn new languages and the Kadazan martial arts, Silat Kuntau.

“About two or three weeks before shoot, we had to learn the steps. It is quite difficult but our stunt co-ordinator made it easy,” said the Dusun lad.

The upcoming television series started production in late May. Apart from the few setbacks due to the unpredictable weather in May and early June, the production is going well and has been a great learning experience for all involved.

Director Dr Anwardi Jamil said that the process was a fast learning curve for local talents and crew who have not had prior experience in television/ movie production.
Directing together with Dr Anwardi is his son, Aidyl Abadi Anwardi or Buddy, as he is popularly known. Buddy loves the visual temperature in Sabah and how united Sabahans are regardless of their different backgrounds. “It makes it easier to work with them,” said the 27-year-old director who has also directed Bola Cinta 2, Pesona Kasih and 3 Cerita 3 Sutradara.

To help tell the story and create the mood, this drama uses cinema-quality prime lenses instead of using the point-and-shoot method, which is commonly used in a typical television production. “More planning and consideration are needed to set up a scene using two high end HD cameras with such lenses,” explained Buddy.

Buddy talks about Pangazou.

There is a massive battle scene in the Kadazan segment of the story where there are 40 to 50 people on screen. Although this isn’t the hardest stunt that Buddy has ever coordinated, it is still going to be a big task. Buddy will be choreographing the huge group of people together with two coordinators, Gipul Wasli (who also acts as the other leading character, Bihangan) and Izzat Dzid.

Local martial artist, popularly known as Kyo Kyedee, said this is a huge opportunity for him. Kyo initially auditioned as stunt person but he was instead offered the role of Gantang - a calm yet skillful fighter in Pangazou. 

Although Pangazou uses mostly Silat Kuntau, Kyo added in some of the techniques he learned in boxing, Muay Thai and Taekwondo to help portray Gantang’s fighting skills better.

Set in the 18th century Pangazou tells the epic adventure of two young brothers, Somboi and Bihangan. Adapted from Tan Sri Dr Herman Luping’s novel of the same title, Pangazou is a joint-production between Webtv Dotcom Sdn Bhd and Manjafilms Sdn Bhd, with the association of a newly set up local production company Pangazou Film Productions Sdn Bhd. The series includes Queenera Kitingan, Bo Tiza, Francisca Albert Siap, Affy Jacklynda Entawin, Schilla Acha, Marc Abbas and Ryot Aflred Ujin.

The television series is scheduled to be screened by January 2013 on RTM.

For more updates on Pangazou, visit their Facebook page ‘Pangazou - The TV Epic Series’