Sun-J opens the Jagat multiverse with a striking double premiere.
A rare double feature brought over 100 guests to LFS PJ State last Friday for the back-to-back premiere of Blues and Macai by Malaysian filmmaker Shanjey “Sun-J” Perumal.
The screenings marked the opening of his long-awaited Jagat multiverse, expanding on the world first introduced in his 2015 film Jagat.
The night began with Blues, followed by a 15-minute intermission and the screening of Macai. Each film ran for about two hours, offering contrasting but connected worlds that explore art, morality and identity through the Malaysian Tamil experience.
During the post-screening question-and-answer session, Sun-J described Macai as “an internal search”.
“People say the real war is inside, not outside. I tried to reflect that inner war through the events of the story,” said Sun-J.
The director added that audiences should expect “a haunting journey unlike anything they have seen before.”
Expanding on his visual style, Sun-J said: “I have always been drawn to visual stories. Sometimes, words can deceive you, but images allow people to interpret deeply. Film itself is a visual medium, and I never want to take the lazy route by explaining everything through dialogue.”
He also spoke about the technical side of Macai, which features several long, unbroken takes.
“We did a lot of rehearsals before shooting. Everything was pre-planned, especially the long one-take scenes. There was one moment when the actor hits with the bottle. My production designer had to run in, pour the fake blood and run out so quickly that everyone thought it was real. It was not difficult because the crew knew exactly what to do. The key was rehearsal and coordination. My technical team and actors deserve credit for pulling it off in one continuous shot,” Sun-J explained.
The director also emphasised the importance of location, revealing that he and his assistant directors personally scouted every site.
“The location is part of the film’s aesthetic, almost like a character. We spent a lot of time scouting because I wanted the setting to breathe life into the story. I’m from Perak, so I understand the nuances of the place. Someone once called it a tropical noir look, and that’s what I wanted to capture, something familiar yet mythical,” said Sun-J.
Actor Karnan G. Crack, who stars in both films, spoke about the challenges of switching between two vastly different roles.
“My character in Blues is calm and quiet, while in Macai, I play someone violent and unpredictable. It was difficult at first, but Sun-J guided me through it. He explained everything so clearly that I could find the truth in both characters,” said Karnan.
Karnan also revealed that director Sun-J had prepared a unique playlist system to help the cast immerse themselves in their characters. The actor explained that the songs were carefully chosen to evoke specific emotions tied to each character’s mindset.
“Even though it might sound simple, it really helped me stay connected to the character. Every time I listened, it reminded me who he was and what he was going through,” Karnan added.
The playlist, according to Karnan, became a quiet but powerful tool for performance, grounding the cast emotionally across Blues and Macai.
Veteran actress Susan Lankester, who appears in Macai, described Sun-J as “a shy but brilliant director who encouraged creative freedom.”
“He told me, the edgier you are, the better. So I went all out with the look and attitude. Even though my role was small, he believed her energy would carry through the film,” Susan explained.
For Malaysian cinema, the premiere was more than just a showcase. It continued Sun-J’s vision of telling stories rooted in local realities while resonating globally, reaffirming his place as a filmmaker unafraid to challenge conventions and explore humanity’s inner conflicts through the language of cinema. Macai opened in cinemas yesterday and will be followed by Blues on Dec 4.
