"Inspirations from the Southeast – Penang, Malaysia" is a compelling documentary that deeply touches the heart
On 23 July 2003, I attended the documentary screening of "Inspirations from the Southeast – Penang, Malaysia" at GSC Cinema in Gurney Drive. This was the last of three screenings, part of George Town Festival and admission was free!
This documentary marks the beginning of a 6-series project led by the award-winning director from Taiwan, Liu Soung. The first film takes viewers on a journey through the cultural diversity of Penang, offering a glimpse into the daily way of life of its people. Liu Soung's direction brings out the essence of Penang, captivating the audience with his portrayal of the region's rich heritage and inspiring stories.
The documentary starts with the call for prayer at the Kapitan Keling mosque, setting the tone for an arresting cinematic journey through Penang's heritage. Elegantly paced and unhurried, the film treats its audience to breathtaking vistas of Penang, skilfully sprinkled throughout the narrative. As the story delves into the heart of the heritage conservation efforts in the city, it tugs at one's heart-strings, presenting poignant accounts from various individuals from the last songkok maker to the dedicated efforts of Penang conservator Tan Yeow Wooi. (The interview was done in 2018/2019 and Yeow Wooi passed away in November 2021).
Unlike many documentaries on Penang that often focus on its reputation as a food heaven, Liu Soung takes a different approach. He deliberately avoids the temptation of indulging in touristy food porn. Instead, he chooses to shine a spotlight on Nazlina Hussin, a self-taught culinary champion dedicated to preserving Malay cuisine. Over the years, her popular cookery school, Nazlina Spice Station, has influenced and educated numerous tourists, food journalists, restaurant owners, chefs, food critics and foodies. The documentary's careful narration and emphasis only on certain key factors, including the efforts of individuals like Nazlina Hussin, make it truly fascinating.
Liu Soung's documentary captures the authentic voices of Penangites, giving them an opportunity to share their perspectives. In the film, Chen Yoke Pin eloquently notes that one cannot truly fall in love with "things" one does not understand. The educational programmes she runs for local school children, exploring the Street of Harmony in the heart of George Town, beautifully exemplify the importance of knowing and appreciating one's heritage.
Throughout the film, Liu Soung weaves an engaging narrative on the delicate nuances of preserving Penang's heritage. The documentary showcases how Penangites live harmoniously in a dynamic melting pot of diverse cultures and religions. As the camera pans across George Town, Penang reveals its charming "persona", featuring a living heritage intricately intertwined in the lives of its people, culture and historic buildings.
As Penang is ever-evolving moving forward with modernisation, its successful heritage conservation is a testament to the resilience and spirit of its inhabitants. Through the heartfelt stories of its people, the film inspires viewers to embrace and protect all that is truly beautiful that makes Penang, uniquely Penang!
As a photographer, one thing that immediately grabbed my attention in the documentary was the collection of still black and white portraits. These powerful images speak volumes. Through their eyes, the window into their soul, one can discern the diverse fabric of Penang's population, each individually unique yet collectively representing the essence of the city they call home.
Liu Soung and his team must have faced quite a challenge in curating the content for the documentary. I can only imagine the intense deliberations and meticulous combing through countless stories to create such a strong narrative. Deciding what makes it into the final cut and what gets edited must surely be a tedious task.
At times, we need a foreign perspective to reveal the beauty that many of us might have taken for granted. I highly recommend this inspiring documentary to all my fellow Penangites. Furthermore, for viewers beyond the shores of Penang, it acts as a poignant call to cherish and actively preserve their own heritage.
After the screening of the documentary, Liu Soung and Chief Producer Alice Ru Hwa Chiu were present to share valuable insights into the making of the film. They emphasised the powerful call to action, urging all of us to cherish and embrace the precious tapestry of Penang's living heritage. They also highlighted the importance of collective efforts to safeguard as well as celebrate the exceptional legacy that defines Penang's identity with the world.
In addition, Liu Soung and Alice Ru Hwa Chiu noted that the documentary series aspires to provide a fresh perspective on Southeast Asia for Taiwanese audiences. By shedding light on the diverse, integrated and unique cultures of the region, the series aims to inspire reflection and appreciation among the Taiwanese people. This new window into Southeast Asia seeks to foster greater cross-cultural understanding, bringing Taiwan and Southeast Asia closer together in appreciation of their shared humanity and heritage.
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Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah
© All rights reserved
24 July 2023
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Inspirations from the Southeast - Penang, Malaysia
Liu Soung, 2022, Taiwan, 58 mins
Language: Mandarin with English and Malay subtitles
Chief Producer: Alice Ru Hwa Chiu
About Liu Soung
Documentary film producer ǀ Director
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Filmmaking, Taipei National University of the Arts.
A graduate of the London International Film School (now London Film School), Liu Soung has had an illustrious career as a director and film producer. While based in New York, he worked for a post-production house and took part in editing National Geographic and HBO documentary films. In 1989, after returning to Taiwan, he founded BOW WOW Productions and has since dedicated himself to producing and directing TV documentaries.
Awards & Honours:
2019: The Eternal Farm Villages series, Golden Bell Award for Best Director in Non-Drama Category
2013: National Treasure in Focus series, Golden Bell Award for Best Educational and Cultural Programme
2009: Yellow Sheep River, Best Documentary Feature Award, Taipei International Film Festival
2009: Natural Formosa series, Golden Bell Award for Best Director in Non-Drama Category
2001: The Vision of a City series, Golden Bell Award for Best Director in Non-Drama Category
About Alice Ru Hwa Chiu
Secretary General, Institute of Historical Resources Management, Taiwan.
As a pioneer in heritage conservation, Chiu advocates for the conservation of buildings, settlements and historical landscapes. She introduces new visions and concepts from the international community and conducts training courses, workshops and seminars to train conservationists, besides her role in the institutional education system.
Chiu is a catalyst for several social movements to promote bottom-up community involvement and is deeply engaged with community empowerment programmes in Taiwan and many Asian countries. In 1992, she founded the Asia West Pacific Network on Urban Conversation (AWPNUC) and the International Field School on Asian Heritage (IFSAH) in 2002, using both as a platform to network with other conservationists throughout Asia. Chiu has been a member of the Asia Art Platform (AAP) since 2013 and has contributed to regional regeneration through artistic movements in the Setouchi Triennale.
Awards & Honours:
Professional Awards & Grants
2021: Taiwan Cultural Association Centennial Award
2021: Decoration for Special Contribution between Japan and Taiwan
2017: Outstanding Award, The Japanese Association for Town Conservation and Regeneration
2014: Special Contribution to Urban Regeneration Award, Taipei Regeneration Office
2001: Extraordinary Cultural Contribution Award, Taipei City Government
1996: Outstanding Performance in Social and Public Education, Ministry of Education