Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner
KUALA LUMPUR: The scene shows seven-year-old Tan Tiam Hock staring blankly at his classmates, unable to proceed when his art teacher asks the class to draw a reunion dinner scene.
Later, we see him waving goodbye to his friends and happily running off. But, when all alone, his cheery little face crumples.
An Indian woman later picks him up from the bus stop and they return “home” to an orphanage.
It becomes obvious to the viewer that Tiam Hock was not able to draw a reunion scene because he had never had one.
Titled “Nobody’s Child”, Petronas’ Chinese New Year advertisement carries the tagline, “Please be home for the reunion dinner, if you can.”
The three-minute commercial is the brainchild of Ken Wong Woon Kian, a 24-year-old visualiser with ad agency Leo Burnett.
He is the youngest person to have a script approved by the national petroleum company, and admits to being surprised when his script was short-listed and then chosen as this year’s advertisement.
He said he was inspired to write the script after his mother died from a heart attack just two days before the Chinese New Year last year.
“My mother was the pillar of strength in our family. She bought clothes for the family, spring-cleaned the house and cooked for reunion dinner,” he said.
Wong said the idea later evolved to that of orphans because he felt that his loss was not as big compared with that of those who had lost both parents, or those who had never known their parents.
Shot over two days around Jalan Ampang, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and SJK (C) Lai Meng, the advertisement was directed by Yasmin Ahmad, who has also helmed many other festive season advertisements for Petronas.
“Many would give anything just to experience the joy of a family reunion.”
“Please be home for reunion dinner, if you can. Gong Xi Fa Cai.”
This Chinese New Year Greetings by Petronas is very meaning full. So for those who can go home for reunion dinner please go back and have a good reunion dinner. Drive safely!
Once again, Gong Xi Fa Cai and Wish all of you a prosperous year ahead. Enjoy your holidays =)
5 Responses to “Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner”
By pikey on Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
happy chinese new year to ya.. hope u will have a great time with family n friends.
By Nicholas on Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
I actually saw this ad for the first time just now. And I like the script, the idea, the short video. It’s cool.
By vkeong on Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Gong Xi Fa Cai to you too!
And yeah that’s a great ad by Petronas.. I didn’t like the teacher though
By saimatkong on Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
yeah I didn’t quite like the teachers too =)
Gong Xi Fa Cai to you all!
By sun on Feb 25, 2008 | Reply
This advertisement very touching, i love it so much and child very adorable and pity in tat movie…LOL