Title | MAYBANK LUNAR NEW YEAR 2018 |
Brand | MAYBANK SINGAPORE |
Product / Service | FINANCIAL SERVICES |
Category | A01. Direction |
Entrant | SMALL SHOP Singapore, SINGAPORE |
Idea Creation | BLAK LABS Singapore, SINGAPORE |
Production | SMALL SHOP Singapore, SINGAPORE |
Name | Company | Position |
---|---|---|
Caleb Huang | Smallshop Communications | Director |
Koh Hwee Peng | Blak Labs | Creative Director |
Justin Lim | Blak Labs | Creative Director |
Carmen Chai | Smallshop Communications | Executive Producer |
The film tells the story of two sisters, Ying and Mei. Daughters of a poor bun maker, the siblings had to make do with little every Chinese New Year. To distract themselves, Ying created a make-believe ceremony, the two entertaining each other by exchanging handmade red packets containing fake gifts. But Ying gradually becomes disillusioned at their poverty, and leaves the family once she turns eighteen. Her decision creates a rift between her and Mei, who stays behind to help the family business. Years later, the two sisters are now adults and successful in their own careers, but remain estranged. Ying invites Mei to a meal for Chinese New Year, but Mei declines. Hoping to reconnect, Ying gets her daughter to give Mei a handmade red packet like the ones they exchanged as children. Mei is touched by the unspoken gesture, and the two reconcile at last.
A key challenge was directing the international cast, a mix of local and overseas talents to act for the roles they were given in order to elicit the emotional response from the film's story.