Sunday February 3, 2013

‘Tau Fu Fah’ short film touches the hearts of many

KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas is famed for its emotionally-gripping short films and this year is no different its new Chinese New Year film has already touched many people's hearts.

Simply titled Tau Fu Fah, the film tells the story of a humble tau fu fah (soya bean curd dessert) seller and his customer, who end up falling in love and starting their life together.

Through the years, they slowly build up their business and grow their family, eventually earning enough to open a tau fu fah shop.

However, disaster strikes when the shop catches fire and they lose everything. They had to rebuild from scratch.

Nevertheless, they persevere and finally get back on track, now as a pair of contented grandparents.

Expressing their gratefulness for their life together, the film ends up on a sweet note with the husband replacing the “fu” word on his old bicycle cart's “tau fu fah” sign with a Chinese New Year “fu” (meaning luck and good fortune) sign.

“Look back on a great life. Look forward to an even greater one,” said the simple message at the end of the clip, which is slightly over three minutes long.

Blogger Ringo Tan, who blogs as Cheesie on Cheeserland, said she was extremely touched and inspired by the film.

“I think the message is very clear. If we go through failures in life, never give up. We have to treasure every moment,” she said.

Over 100 viewers who watched the clip on the Petronas YouTube page, uploaded yesterday, gave it a resounding thumbs up.

YouTube user Aina Sofea wrote: “My father once sold rojak for a living for the family.

“I cried watching this. Something like this did happen to my family too. I am very touched by this commercial.”

Another user, Pierre Ng, praised the details Petronas had captured, such as the placing of the “fu” signs upside down.

“This is a very good commercial from Petronas. It captures a big part of the Chinese resilience and perseverance. Fu is a lucky word. It is very easy to say it.

“Around Chinese New Year, people often put up a poster with this word on it upside down!

“It's the only time when a Chinese word is posted upside down intentionally. Well done, Petronas!” he wrote.

The short film can be viewed on its channel youtube.com/user/PETRONASOfficial, while a shorter version has started airing on television.

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