Malaysia – Maybank’s Chinese New Year film, “Unspoken Connections,” sheds light on the deaf community’s unique experience of honouring one of the world’s most vibrant, loud, and happy events. The film digs into their perspective in a peaceful setting, emphasising the critical role of sign language in overcoming silence for them.
The film, starring Lim Bee Chin in the lead role and co-directed by Barney Chua and Pan Wai Ling, was created in association with Grey Singapore and the production company Mojo Films.
Pan Wai Ling and Bee Ching, two members of the deaf community, portray an honest and personal picture of their daily lives in the campaign. The film’s core offers viewers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the deaf community’s experiences, promoting a deeper comprehension of their reality.
For the production company behind the movie, this project went outside of traditional narrative and became a life-changing investigation of empathy and discovery. They experienced an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning of filming to the intense ending, overcoming communication barriers and gaining new insight into the challenges faced by the deaf population.
The team planned to actively engage with and comprehend the deaf community in advance of the project. The first conversations revealed perspectives on the deaf community’s experience in Malaysia, highlighting important topics, especially during Chinese New Year.
Pan Wai Ling and other deaf cast members and staff members led the production without a script, working together with the larger team. The resultant video closely reflects their actual experiences.
Speaking about the campaign, Barney Chua, director of Mojo Films, said, “Collaborating with the hearing-impaired community is familiar territory for my team. Over time, we’ve developed strong connections through various projects. That’s why I approached Wai Ling to co-direct this project. Her fearlessness and intelligence, evident from our previous encounter, made a lasting impression. She brought a wealth of creative ideas to the set, affirming my belief in her potential as an excellent director.”
Meanwhile, Pan Wai Ling, co-director of Maybank’s CNY film, stated, “My hope with this film is that it not only showcases the experiences within the deaf community but also underscores the importance of sign language. It’s more than just a mode of communication for us; it’s a lifeline, a bridge that connects us to the world around us.”
Graham Drew, CCO of Grey Singapore, commented, “According to scientific research, non-verbal communication accounts for 70-80% of our daily interactions. We don’t realise, but we all speak in ‘signs’ every day, suggesting that learning sign language may be easier than we think. It’s time we recognise and embrace this natural aptitude so we can foster a more inclusive society for the deaf community.”
Furthermore, Shazlina Binti Mohd Suffian, EVP & head of Group Corporate Marketing of Maybank Malaysia, added, “The deaf community holds immense potential and talent, yet often faces barriers to fully realising their capabilities. At Maybank, we have been working closely with them by offering training and support, empowering them to succeed on their own terms. We hope that this film will serve as a catalyst for greater awareness, inclusivity, and support for the deaf community.”
