(From left) Emilyn Sinangsi Ayu (Renai’s mother), Lydiawati Bujang (older Renai), Zahariah, Julian Lian Bala (Renai’s father), Philip (right) and Anastazia Uding Bala as Renai (front row).
Renai’, a tale of sacrifice and thanksgiving for Gawai and Kaamatan from Petronas
Anastazia portrays a bright, bubbly Renai who feels that she is neglected by her parents
Emilyn (far back) plays Renai’s mother looking longingly at her daughter.
Philip (right) with Anastazia who plays little Renai.
Lydiawati who plays the older version of Renai
Heartwarming scene where Renai comes back home to see her parents
Renai’s parents looking delighted upon the return of their daughter.
Julian who plays Renai’s father actually climbed Mount Kinabalu while carrying a gas tank
Renai’s father working hard as a climber to ensure his daughter has a bright future
(From left) Emilyn (Renai’s mother), Lydiawati (older Renai), Zahariah, Julian (Renai’s father), Philip (right) and Anastazia as Renai (front).
KUCHING: Petronas is back at it again bringing another tearjerking webfilm that is sure to grip the heartstrings.
Set against the scenic background of Sabah and Sarawak, the webfilm is named after its main character ‘Renai’.
As a child, Renai lives with her mother in Sarawak and has always felt neglected, receiving less attention from her parents as her mother works tirelessly to provide for her family and her father is away in Sabah working as a porter climbing up Mount Kinabalu.
However, when she has grown up, Renai began to understand her parents’ intention and the sacrifices they made to make sure she has a bright future.
Instead of growing up to be rebellious, she appreciates the struggle and sacrifices they went through.
A heart-warming story told from Renai’s point of view is an inspiring plot of her growing up and how she appreciates the values, struggles and sacrifices made by her parents to give her a brighter future.
Touching on the value of gratitude and hope encircling the spirit of the harvest festival, it celebrates the fruits of hard labour and determination invested each year into delivering a bountiful harvest.
Petronas launched the webfilm yesterday at China House in the Old Court House to usher in the Kaamatan and Gawai festivals.
Directed by Kuching-born Philip Rom, the webfilm took about a month to be made.
Touching on the livelihood of the people in Sarawak and Sabah, Philip said he hoped to evoke the feeling of love which is the root of the film itself and is a universal value that everyone could relate to.
“So the idea or the insinuation of harvest in the film itself is not blatant where you see people planting or anything but it is the harvest of the parents because it is her coming back home, successful and having graduated,” said Philip.
This year marks the fourth year Petronas has produced webfi lms for Kaamatan and Gawai.
“We have for the past few years,told stories of unique celebrations surrounding Kaamatan and Gawai festivities,” said Petronas senior general manager of Group Strategic Communications, Zahariah Abdul Rahman in her speech.
“However this year, we are taking a slightly different approach by focusing on the core values that represent the meaning of Kaamatan and Gawai. Values such as hard work, determination, sacrifice and gratitude for the good fortunes that we have been blessed with in life,” she added.
Viewers will be able to see the webfilm starting today on www.petronasofficial.com and a 60-second television commercial version of the webfilm will be aired from May 29 onwards.