Inaugural Raintown Film Festival to celebrate Taiping’s 150th Anniversary

Writer: Heidi Hsia, Cinema Online Asia | 14-Aug-2024

As Taiping receives more rainfall compared to other parts of the country, it is well-known as Rain Town of Malaysia. And hence, the first Raintown Film Festival will officially be taking place at Paragon Cinemas, Taiping Mall, from 13 to 15 September.

Raintown Film Festival

This three-day event will showcase four local feature films, six short films, one film talk, a film workshop and an outdoor film screening. Filmmakers will be present for post-screening Q&A sessions to interact with the audience. All activities are free and open to the public.

[Please book your tickets at: HERE (Free Admission)]

In celebration of Taiping’s 150th anniversary, the festival will show four local films shot in Taiping, including “Rain Town” directed by TunkuMona Riza, “Rain Dogs” directed by Ho Yuhang from the project Star Chinese Movies Network initiated by Andy Lau in 2006, “Jagat”, the winner of Best Film in 28th Malaysia Film Festival directed by Shanjey Kumar Perumal, and a documentary “Ah Kew The Digger” directed by Khoo Eng Yow which delves into Taiping’s history with the narration of Taiping historian Lee Eng Kew.

Tunku Mona Riza’s “Rain Town” to be shown at the festival

These films, spanning two decades, offer a unique perspective on Taiping’s transformation and cultural evolution through their filming locations.

The festival will include a “Taiping’s Shorts” programme, featuring six short films by young filmmakers shot in Taiping. It will also host a documentary talk titled “Inspiring Local Stories Through Documentaries” and a film workshop “Everyone Can Be a Director”.

These events aim to provide a platform for filmmakers to engage with audiences, enhance the quality of future works, explore collaboration opportunities, and cultivate the audience’s film appreciation and cultural literacy.

The festival is in partnership with Raintree Art Market and will hold an outdoor film screening in Taiping Lake Gardens.

“Seniman Bujang Lapok” a black-and-white film written, directed and acted in 1961 by national treasure, P. Ramlee, will be showing in the outdoor screening with authorisation by Shaw Brothers Singapore.

Jacky Yeap, the founder of the Raintown Film Festival, said, “Born in the town of Taiping, I have always hoped to give back to it. After working in the film industry for nearly a decade in Kuala Lumpur, my visits to my hometown became increasingly infrequent due to my hectic schedule. With Taiping’s 150th anniversary approaching, I decided to establish the Raintown Film Festival. This initiative not only allows Taiping residents and visitors to experience the city’s charm and serenity through film but also provides me with the opportunity to return more often and reconnect with my roots.”

This First Raintown Film Festival is initiated by Taiping-born filmmaker and founder of WuBen film magazine, Jacky Yeap, in collaboration with five colleagues. The festival has received support from Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Taiping YB Wong Kah Woh, Pokok Assam assemblyman YB Ong Seng Guan, Dana Kreatif Perak Port Ipoh, Da Huang Pictures, Fiery Films, Shiny Universe Foundation, and various sponsors and partners.

The event will showcase the charm of Malaysian cinema and Taiping town to the public.

Cinema Online, 14 August 2024