Peranakan Charm
I’ve just finished watching “The Little Nyonya” on DVD. Phew! It’s a 34 episode epic that spans 70 years from before WWII to the present day.
Read more about the serial here.
Our neighbor down South sure makes better quality films compared to us. I think they can easily rival the Hong Kong serials and I know why.
They just tell the story. That’s it.
They don’t try to be preachy and inject elements of moral or patriotism or any of that crap that our local film makers overdo with their productions. They tell the story the way it is and make no apologies for it.
See, that’s why I don’t bother watching our local films. I can’t take the OTT dose of moral elements that they had to put in. Like, is there a rule or something out there that dictates every film must to include these “nilai-nilai murni”? I want to watch a good story, not something that says, “So kids, the moral of the story is…” at the end of it.
So, anyway, back to the serial, I think the lead actress, Jeanette Aw did a stellar job playing Juxiang and Yueniang. Juxiang is a deaf mute. Imagine how difficult it must be to project the feelings and emotions of a character on film, especially when one has only facial expression and body language to rely on. Some people just go flat even when they do have lines. Her facial expression conveys her emotions the way words can’t ever do.
She potrays Juxiang’s daughter, Yueniang with equal measure of spunk and elegance.
Watching the serial really opened up my eyes to some aspects of the Peranakan culture, customs and tradition, particularly food (my favorite topic ^_^) and bead work.
I must admit I don’t know much about Peranakan cuisine. I didn’t know that lor bak is from them. Then there is the oft mentioned “babi ponteh” in the serial, which later I found out is pig trotters cooked with fermented bean paste.
Looking at the lovely food served during the Tok Panjang or Long Table (a feast during special occassions that consists of a 12 course meal) sure makes me wanna go out and hunt for Nyonya food. Too bad these few weekends are tied up with work commitments.
Beaded shoes is another signature art of the Nyonyas. I’ve wanted to make my own pair for the longest time but can’t find a nice design. I’m not too keen on floral or birds designs or anything else that looks like it belongs in a bridal trousseau :p
Oh, check out this beautiful beadwork table cloth here. What a masterpiece!
So go watch the series if you have the time. Lose yourself in the colorful tapestry of Pernakan culture and get your dose of drama from the scheming, bitching and back stabbing Nyonyas.
Like I said, they don’t make apologies for their actions. It’s not that these people are evil by nature, but they have to ensure their survival and interests. They don’t win by playing nice, not when the entire household is up in arms to get their own.
It’s just the way things are.
