Thiya's Case 1

Thiya's Case 1 is a Bruneian drama thriller short film produced by Marhain Entertainment in collaboration with Progresif Media. It is the third installment in the Intiqamverse and takes place before the event of Intiqam (2021). The short film was directed and written by Akmal Marhain and was released straight to streaming on Progresif Media on October 15, 2022.

The short film starred Saila HT as Thiya Zakaria replacing Hanis Hafiizatul. The film also stars Amin AB as Zack and Hairi Tahir as Jefri Ibrahim.

## Synopsis

Before the event of Intiqam (2021), Thiya Zakaria’s first investigative journalism case brought her into the investigation for the suicide of her own younger sister and her effort to make the society aware on social issues affecting modern youth.

## Plot

The film opens with Thiya Zakaria arriving at Nufoz College with her face beaten up for an unknown reason which she then admitted to her friend Anna to have been caused by a cycling accident. She was then greeted by Zack who showed concern upon seeing Thiya's beat up face.

Soon after Wafri along with the college's student council arrived at the college's corridor handing out pamphlet inviting all the students to attend a suicide awareness talk which triggered Thiya for an unknown reason. She raged out in the college corridor causing Jefri, the college counselor to intervene.

Jefri brought Thiya to his office for a counselling session. Thiya then proceeded to tell Jefri story about a successful and cheerful ex student of the college who has commited suicide earlier that year. The girl was soon revealed to be Thiya's sister, Lia Zakaria. During the incident, while crying on her dead body Thiya found a rather familiar necklace which she immediately connected to belong to someone she knew, Zack.

Thiya then confronted Zack who at the beginning refused to admit he was responsible for Lia's suicide. Soon after they started to argue where Zack still not admitting responsibility for causing Lia's death, began to humiliate Lia by saying he only had sexual intercourse with her because she was attracted to him. This enraged Thiya causing her to slap him. Zack, furious by Thiya's action began to beat her up and tried to chase her but Thiya barely managed to get away.

Upon revealation of this incident, Jefri was distrought by the news. He apologised to Thiya for not taking any action regarding the incident which Thiya then responded only by asking Jefri to take necessary action. Jefri then proceeded to call Inspector Sam from Bandar Nufoz Police Force to arrest Zack. Inspector Sam had a brief encounter with Thiya and nodded at her expressing gratitude for helping him solving the case.

In an effort to spread awareness regarding sexual harrasment and assault issues in the city, Thiya then proceeded to create her first report on social media through Thiya's Daily as her platform. Upon finishing her report she found a news headline reporting about Rizal's dead body dicovered on a river bank which then jumpstart her investigative journalism career in Intiqam (2021).

After the Blackjack Casino incident, Farouk Ahmad watched news report on Thiya's Daily about the emergence of the Black Mask a vigilante who has helped in solving the case. This inspired Farouk to become a vigilante in an attempt to exact his own vengeance.

## Casts

* Saila HT as Thiya Zakaria
* Amin AB as Zack
* Hairi Tahir as Jefri Ibrahim
* Indah HT as Lia Zakaria
* Husni HMS as Wafri
* Nadhirah Ariffin as Anna
* Saiful Azman as Inspector Sam

Akmal Marhain appeared as Azlan Amirul / Black Mask in an archive footage on Thiya's Daily. Ben Roslan made an uncredited and first appearance as Farouk Ahmad in the short film's post credit scene.

## Production

### Writing

The initial idea to make a short film focusing on spreading suicide awareness have been in Akmal's mind since 2017 after his personal experience on the issue. He had to shelve the idea for years but soon was able to implement the idea upon creating Thiya Zakaria's character in Intiqam (2021). While making Intiqam, Akmal keep on developing the idea of expanding Thiya's character with a backstory about her own personal issue causing her to start her journalist career.

While writing, Akmal did an extensive research on suicide issues through psychological perspectives. He also took 13 Reasons Why, Cairo 678 among other films as his source of inspiration during the writing process.

### Casting

Saila HT has always been Akmal's first choice to take on the role of Thiya Zakaria. He even personally offered her the role back in 2020 but she had to turn down the offer due to scheduling conflict. Hanis Hafiizatul was eventually casted in the role until she had to back down from the role in 2022 due to personal reason. Saila HT finally accepted the role after Akmal offered her again for the second time.

For the character of Zack, Akmal and co-producer Adi Amni had a thorough discussion on who should take on the role due to the intense acting capabilites required for the actor to play the role. They considered Amin AB, Amir Rashid, Rizal Rasid and Nasrul Nassar among the big names in Brunei's film industry . They finally decide on casting Amin AB after Akmal had a discussion with him and Akmal trusted in Amin's acting capability to take on the role.

Hairi Tahir was casted as Jefri as this was his second collaboration with Akmal. His first time being in Al-Imam short film released by Marhain Entertaiment back in 2021.

### Production

Thiya's Case 1 was initially planned to be a self budgetted short film. But in July 2022, Thiya's Case 1 was picked up by Progresif Media to be their Progresif Media Original in conjunction with their second year anniversary celebration.

The production began on August 18, 2022 and concluded on August 26, 2022. The production took 1 week to finish.

## Marketing

Progresif Media and Marhain Entertainment collaborated for the marketing of Thiya's Case 1.

Akmal and Saila was invited for a radio interview on Progresif Radio during The Brunch Club podcast program. Progresif Media also made some interview reels with Saila HT, Amin AB and Hairi Tahir in an effort to market the short film.

## Release

Progresif Media held a Content Circle event for the premiere of Thiya's Case 1 on August 15, 2022 at Batches Coffee. Among other filmmakers who was invited to the event was Regalblue Production, Iskandar Karim and Syafi Halim from New Wave Films.

The short film's reception was positive. Most critics praised Saila HT's potrayal as Thiya Zakaria and Amin AB as Zack. Some positive criticism were also mainly on the social issues highlighted in the short film and the fight sequences as well.

Thiya's Case 1 was released on Progresif Media on August 15, 2022.

## Sequel

Saila HT will reprise her role as Thiya Zakaria in Intiqam 2 Wira Budiman set to be released in theatre on June 21, 2023.

A direct sequel to Thiya's Case 1 is currently in development. Release date is yet to be announced.