AVAKAS
Year
Language
Duration
Genre
Produce by
Direct by
Logline
: 2020
: Dusun, Bajau, English
: 90 mins
: Historical, folklore, action
: New Breed Production Sdn Bhd
: Marc Abas
: Inspired by the legendary Dusun Tangara warrior, Monsopiad of 19th-century North Borneo, Avakas tells the story of a headhunter who famously amassed 42 skulls in the 1870s. To this day, his descendants preserve these grim trophies, carrying the legacy of a feared but misunderstood warrior.
SYNOPSIS
An elderly man dismisses the fear surrounding the modern-day legend of Pangait, a supposed headhunter. Unlike others, he believes true headhunters were warriors driven by honor, not bloodlust. His conviction runs deeper than mere opinion—he harbors a secret that ties him to this ancient practice. A battle scar on his neck and the skulls hidden in his Avakas reveal his true identity: he is the warrior Monsopiad, a headhunter whose deeds have been misunderstood for generations. His story unearths the complex motivations behind a feared tradition and the legacy he has quietly preserved.
DIRECTOR'S BIO
Marc Abas
Marc Abas is a versatile filmmaker, actor, and director from Sabah, Malaysia, with over 14 years of acting experience and a decade-long career in directing. Throughout his journey, he has been involved in the production of more than 45 projects, spanning dramas, telemovies, films, and seven short films. His diverse portfolio showcases his commitment to storytelling and his dedication to Sabah's local film industry.
Marc gained notable attention for his work on 'Avakas' (2020), a Kadazandusun film based on local folklore, which earned international recognition and was selected for prestigious film festivals such as the London Rocks International Film Festival and the San Francisco Another Hole in the Head Film Festival. The film has solidified his place in Malaysia's indigenous filmmaking scene, highlighting his passion for preserving and sharing Borneo's cultural heritage through cinema.