As we get closer to the new festive season, we welcome the chance to reunite and feast with loved ones, as well as a new PETRONAS short film that delivers a heartwarming story which resonates with our Malaysia Boleh spirit of unity, culture, and progress.
‘With Open Hearts’ is the latest festive short film from PETRONAS, telling the story of new beginnings through a beautiful, culturally rich narrative that Malaysians know to expect from a PETRONAS short.
Here’s why it’s worth checking out PETRONAS‘ latest festive film:
Learning to open our hearts
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Peranakan traditions, ‘With Open Hearts’ tells the story of Su Lin, a young girl undergoing a tumultuous phase where she learns about her mother’s decision to remarry. Having shared a close bond with her mother, Su Lin now finds herself burdened by feelings she’s unable to express. In a tear-jerking twist, Su Lin reveals her innermost emotions to everyone’s surprise, giving us a climactic conclusion worth watching for.
At its core, it’s a simple heartfelt story of two individuals from different backgrounds coming together through the bond of marriage, bridging cultural divides, while showing off the colourful, tradition-rich Peranakan culture.
Keeping it real and authentic
The story behind how ‘With Open Hearts’ makes its celebration of Malaysia’s diverse heritage feel natural, is rooted in PETRONAS’ commitment to authenticity. Take the momentous wedding scene for example, which was filmed on location at the heritage site Rumah Tangsi, once known as Rumah Agam Loke Chow Kit.
Colourful Peranakan elements, from traditional joget songs playing in the background to meticulously crafted wedding details, adorn the film. Furthermore, the diverse wedding guests of our main characters symbolise PETRONAS’ message of unity, showing no matter how different we are from each other, what we have in common is our celebration of love and life itself. Malaysia truly is a rich multi-ethnic tapestry eager to be painted.
Blink and you’ll miss it!
There’s also a fun little Easter egg we caught when watching ‘With Open Hearts’, in which the official PETRONAS water bottle made an appearance in a pivotal scene of the film. We won’t spoil it for you when it appears, but here’s a hint: it shows up in a touching scene. ? What a way to commemorate PETRONAS’ 50th anniversary lah!
Here’s to new beginnings, together!
With decades of Malaysian storytelling under its belt, PETRONAS shows no sign of slowing down on telling poignant, authentic stories that reflect the diversity and harmony of Malaysian society. And with ‘With Open Hearts’, PETRONAS reminds us that new beginnings may be daunting (especially with the New Year), but no matter how much we differ from one another, we’re not alone in this; we have the strength of our familial love and diverse Malaysians to lean on.
So this festive season, sit back with your loved ones and open your heart to PETRONAS‘ newest film on Facebook and YouTube. Whether you’re celebrating with friends or family, ‘With Open Hearts’ is sure to resonate deeply with every Malaysian, leaving you with a renewed sense of togetherness and determination for the year 2025.
For updates on future PETRONAS short films, check out their socials below:
