Art in the making: Actress Junji Delfino (left) acting in the the role of Nyonya Besar during a film shoot at Penang Peranakan Mansion in Church Street, George Town. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Movie audiences worldwide will be taken on a journey through Peranakan culture once Nyonya Ronggeng hits the silver screen.
The multi-lingual film by ZLK Production Sdn Bhd is currently doing principal shooting at various locations in Penang and targeted for release by year-end.
Set between the 1940s and 1970s in Penang, it revolves around the fictional character Rose who is of aristocratic Baba Nyonya descent but struggles with life due to her profession as a ronggeng dancer.
As her story unfolds, so too will the unique customs and traditions of the Peranakan community, otherwise known as the Straits Chinese.
In keeping with the social landscape of the time, the film will have a mix of English, Malay and Hokkien dialogue.
ZLK Production founder and executive producer Datuk Seri KC Lee said while there had been several series featuring the Peranakans previously, this would be one of the first feature films.
“It’s a beautiful culture that combines Chinese and Malay elements.
“We did a lot of research to find out what life was like then so we could recreate the costumes and settings,” he added.
Lee and director Raja Mukhriz Raja Ahmad Kamaruddin are both hoping to get the support of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) to enter Nyonya Ronggeng in many of the world’s prestigious film festivals, as this will further catapult Peranakan culture onto the global stage.
“The tourism industry has worked hard to promote it.
“We in the film industry can supplement their efforts because movies can reach millions worldwide.
“It would indirectly promote Penang as a destination,” Lee said during filming at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, which will stand in as Rose’s home.
Raja Mukhriz urged audiences, especially those from Penang, to watch the movie when it is released.
Not only will they see many familiar sights, but there will also be stories they can relate to.
“The script was written to highlight all the special aspects of Peranakan culture.
“It will draw you into this fascinating world,” he teased, adding that it would also serve as a form of archive.
YingLi Tan, who stars as the titular character Rose and also serves as producer, believes that Malaysia’s cultural history is something to be shared with global audiences.
As her paternal grandmother was a Peranakan Chinese from Penang, playing the character brings back some fond memories.
She remembers her grandmother all dressed in her kebaya, and adorned with kerongsang, sharing delicious food with the family.
“This cultural heritage is what sets us apart from other countries. It’s something we should be proud of and share with the world,” Tan said.
In the film, Rose’s story begins after her parents are killed by the Japanese in the Sook Ching Massacre in Singapore during World War II.
She is then raised by her father’s servant and mid-wife, learning all about love but having to contend with frustration and pain as her choice of profession draws the ire of family members and lovers alike.
This plays out against the backdrop of important and historical events that happened in then-Malaya, including the emergency in the 1950s, and the Malaysian Independence in 1957.
In coming the weeks, Nyonya Ronggeng’s 90-strong cast and crew will also film in other parts of George Town such as Muntri Street, Stewart Lane and Wawasan Open University, as well as at Botanica Mansion, Karuna Hills and Jalan Sungai Pinang in Balik Pulau, and Kampung Agong in Penaga on the mainland.
Some 1,000 local talents will be playing extras throughout the 45-day shoot. There will also be some scenes shot in Kedah and Perak.
The film also stars Steve Yap as Tan Kim Huat, Aniq Durar as Chang Wei, Norlaila Nasir as Mak Kuntum and Arangkannal Rajoo as Raja.
The script was written by Eenaz Mokhtar.
