Yasmin Ahmad’s festive ads had become something of an icon in Malaysia’s pop consciousness.
The writer-director is well-loved for her sometimes poignant, often funny and always meaningful festive ads that consistently manage to strike a chord among Malaysians.
After her untimely death, many were left wondering if there would ever be a worthy successor.
Well, it looks like there may be.
The Star Online reports that Bank Simpanan Nasional’s (BSN) Pengacau Raya Cina video – the sequel to the hit Pengacau Raya video featuring Aloysius and Zaitun – has gone viral, getting more than 2-million views and being shared over 41,000 times on Facebook alone.
If Facebook comments are any indication, netizens are unanimous in their praise of the video for its message of mutual respect for all cultures and tolerance for each other.
Pengacau Raya Cina tells the charming tale of happy couple Aloysius and Zaitun, who return to Zaitun’s hometown to celebrate Chinese New Year. With Aloysius’ Chinese father tagging along, they have to learn how to get along as a multi-cultural family, as they await their first bundle of joy.
“This heartwarming mini-movie celebrates the beauty of multiculturalism here in Malaysia, and reflects BSN’s respect for diversity,” said Puspa Marina Datuk Haji Omar, Senior Vice-President / Head, Strategic Communications, Bank Simpanan Nasional, according to The Star Online.
The Pengacau Raya ad won a Silver Award at the Marketing Excellence Awards 2015 for Excellence in TV/Video Advertising and a Bronze in the Excellence in Content Marketing category.
Puspa said that BSN’s Pengacau Raya video was one of the most viewed Raya ads last year and they wanted to continue the story of Aloy and Zaitun for Chinese New Year. It seems like the CNY sequel could even outdo the original Pengacau Raya video, which had 2.6-million views and 59,000 shares on Facebook alone.
Here’s looking forward to more heart-warming festive ads!
