I am not a big fan of Chinese movies and rarely do I go to the cineplex to watch any. Most of the better Chinese movies I watch the DVD instead. So it was an auspicious occasion when I decided to pop over to the local cineplex to watch it. It was the aggressive marketing efforts promoted daily by the radio DJs Jack Lim and Gan Mei Yan on myFM radio station that persuaded me to do so. These 2 radio DJs are one of my favorites - their daily early morning chatter , laughter and the Emperor sketches do brighten up one's day.
The 1 and half hour movie was entertaining and hilarious. It'll not win any local "Oscars" but kudos to the whole team of actors and actresses, who for most of them were first time acting in movies. The majority of the movie casts are DJs from Astro myFM radio station and Astro AEC channel. Those who follow these channels would be familiar with the cast :
myFM radio DJS - 林 德榮 Jack Lim aka Ah Beng , 顏微恩 Gan Mei Yan aka Ah Lian, Jack co-host in the MyFM morning show, 勤 Vivian Tok and AEC newscasters and TV DJs - 顏江瀚 Gan Jiang Han, 陳志康 Royce Tan, 邱文博Bernard Hiew, 楊佳賢 Jason Yeoh, 曾潔鈺 Chen Keat Yoke, and 黃一飛 Freddie Ng ( Hua Hee Channel ), and Siao Hui Min
Director Chiu Keng Guan ( a graduate of Beijing Film Academy) has taken a team of raw actors/actress and produced a commendable entertaining film. There is a rojak mix of Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien dialogue in the movie. It is one of those movies you come out viewing happy. Not only did I laugh, tears flow too at some of the touching scenes.
The film's storyline is simple and straightforward. Throw in 2 love stories between contrasting personalities , traditional prayer practices and customs, family piety - the director had setup the theme for the film. The film was mainly shot at Beserah , a small fishing village in Kuantan and I supposed this small town was abuzz with excitement then.
The village elder due to his failing health was unable to perform the traditional Tiger Dance and he was also unsuccessful recruiting volunteers to perform. His grand daughter came to his rescue by putting up a misleading advertisement promising a good compensation package in the local papers to attract applicants. The advertisement attracted 2 young chaps and 3 others who were unwillingly drawn in to participate. The elder subject the 5 to a rigorous training program ( seeing it remind me one of those HK kungfu B flicks ) to master the Tiger Dance. Amidst the training program , the thorny relationship between the 2 pairs of lovebirds blossom.
The movie had raked in RM 4 million, a record for local produced Chinese movies . The ticket sales were unexpected and a sequel seems to be in the works.
To support this Malaysian made production , I bought the original DVD ( RM 19.90 ) and the supporting Chinese New Year festive album with WooHoo as the theme( RM 29.90 )
Trailer link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YRTOmKb4gA&feature=player_embedded
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