We've come a long way since independence, and sometimes it's easy to forget how the journey was made since those humble beginnings 57 years ago. To celebrate the passage that is nearly six decades of our country's existence, Petronas has come up with A Walk Through Time for Merdeka and Malaysia Day 2014.
The three-and-a half-minute webfilm, capturing the spirit and gestalt shown by the late Yasmin Ahmad in previous outings, relives our nation's history, viewed through a series of significant milestones.
Merdeka, the formation of Malaysia and the historic 1992 Thomas Cup win are just some of the key moments captured in the compelling shorty, produced by Leo Burnett Malaysia and crafted by film company Reservoir Production.
Plenty of nostalgia on show, from the (in)famous two-decade-long KL Mini Bus service and the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee's iconic Laksamana Do Re Mi from 1972 to a time when rickshaws were routine daily transportation and bell bottoms a norm. A Petronas station from the 80s is also depicted.
A high level of care and attention to detail is evident throughout, most impressively showcased by the props, from the Ruby Theatre in Ipoh (now housing a furniture store, but which had its exterior restored to its former glory for the film) to items such as an Everyday milk tin and an immaculate Broadcast Relay Service Rediffusion television.
Accuracy happens in the background as well – for example, even if it's not visible in the film itelf, the tear-off calendar on the wall in the scene that depicts Monday, September 16, 1963 (Malaysia Day) actually reflects the date.
Vehicles from the eras are also featured – the first Proton Saga, Mark I Mini, MG TF and Morris Minor are among the metal to be seen (the Ford Escort Mk II propped in the Ruby frameset didn't actually come into production until 1974, but let's not split hairs about this, seeing as the two-door example chosen is representative of the decade).
Kuala Lumpur's modern skyline is also represented, with the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower and the Rapid Rail LRT system featured. The neat touch is that the two protagonists never age, despite travelling through six centuries of the country's transformation, which encapsulates the film's tagline of "Reflect on yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow" rather nicely.
But enough of that now. Enjoy the video (and once you're done, catch the The Making Of), and we at paultan.org would like to wish all Malaysians Selamat Hari Merdeka! May we always remember who we are, where we came from and how we got here.
