KUALA LUMPUR: A new Chinese New Year advertisement which supports the government's on-going Keluarga Malaysia campaign, zooms in on an ancient and dying art form, the Chinese opera.
Its creative director Faisal Rais takes viewers to Jalan Sultan in Chinatown, specifically the Selangor Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association, where he interviews longtime practitioners of the opera best known for elaborate costumes, boisterous music and white, black and pink face-painting.
"Chinese opera used to be very popular in Malaysia, but with the advent of information technology, it is fading away," said Faisal in an interview with Berita Harian Online today.
"Fortunately, it is popular in Sydney, Australia, where it is seeing a revival especially during Chinese New Year. Malaysians must do our utmost to preserve it, as it is our national heritage, too."
Faisal grew up watching Chinese opera in his hometown Batu Pahat, Johor. Consequently, he decided to pay tribute to the art form by reintroducing it to young viewers in a Chinese New Year advertisement.
"There will be several versions of this ad. It will also be available on the Keluarga Malaysia platform on YouTube and Facebook," he said, adding that the two-minute advertisement will debut on Sunday.
Faisal took 12 hours to film the advertisement, which features a multi-ethnic cast.
"Finding the right costumes and location for the opera was a challenge. I worked with three Chinese cultural associations to get the right costumes," he said.
The advertisement tells the story of a group of Chinese opera practitioners who are determined to keep the art form going, despite being discouraged by their loved ones and friends.
Faisal roped in veteran Chinese opera star Elizabeth Choi, 86, as the project consultant.
Choi, who hails from Seremban, Negri Sembilan said that she was brought into Chinese opera by her late father when she was 8 years old.
"When I was 17, he took me to Hong Kong for advanced training in Chinese opera. I learnt the ropes gradually, and became a mentor to many young practitioners," she said, adding that she was still coaching them.
Chinese opera began 5,000 years ago during China's Tang Dynasty from 618 to 907.
Bernama TV report on the Chinese opera advertisement
