Camera, ready, action!

Director Jon M. Chu said he was drawn to Crazy Rich Asians because he wanted to do a movie about growing up in different cultures. Michelle Yeoh and Henry Golding play mother and son with opposing views in the movie. - Photo: Warner Bros

East Malaysian talents played a big part in the Crazy Rich Asians box office hit.

Camera, ready - action!

DID you know that English-Iban actor Henry Golding is not the only east Malaysian to lend his talents to the Crazy Rich Asians (CRA) blockbuster?

The dashing leading man from the Land of the Hornbills, who was handpicked to play protagonist Nick Young in the rom-com smash hit of the summer, worked with a fellow Bornean from the Land Below the Wind on set.

Lim Pik Lan, who hails from Kota Kinabalu, got the chance to work as a second assistant director (AD) on the film and supported the key ADs from Australia and the United States.

“Henry and I always joke about being the two east Malaysians on set,” says the Sabahan.

Pikky Lim (centre) pictured here with her parents.

The 33-year-old, better known as Pikky Lim, was recruited by the production house she had worked with previously on Netflix’s Marco Polo.

“They asked if I’d be keen to work on the film, and of course, I said yes,” says the professional with 10 years of experience in the industry.

Having worked with Malaysian superstar Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh on Marco Polo, Pikky knew that having Yeoh on set again in Malaysia would mean enjoying yummy local food while working.

“We definitely had our fair share of kopi ais (iced coffee) tapau-ed (take away) to work because she only gets it while she’s back here!

“And then you’ve got Carmen Soo, who was just amazing. She definitely showed the world that Malaysia can pull it off on the big screen,” she adds.

To provide a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes bustle, Pikky says that quite a number of assistant directors are required to run the show on the set of a studio or Hollywood film, in order to ensure everything goes smoothly.

“We have a team on set and a team that prepares for the days to come. As a second assistant director, we’re in charge of the daily call sheet or schedule (in common lingo) and also work very closely with the cast.

“We arrange the day based on information from every department, such as costume, makeup, grips, production, visual effects, stunts... the list goes on.

“We basically make sure things are running by the minute, so the stress is quite real,” she shares.

Pikky found it “thrilling” to work with a great Malaysian crew that worked hard through some tough times, yet still managed to have fun.

“We are proud of the work we have done for this film, that tells a great story about family and the sacrifices our parents make for us, even though we may not understand them sometimes.

“At the end of the day, there is nothing more rewarding in the world than watching the film you were a part of on the big screen,” she says.

The strong sense of shared pride and camaraderie among the cast and crew was a definite bonus.

“It was nice to have a film that was shot in Malaysia, with Malaysians who will travel around the world to tell stories. And we all knew it, so we knew we had to do it right, no matter what it took,” she adds.

After all, the storytelling aspect of filmmaking was what made her fall in love with the craft while studying multimedia technology in university.

“It’s such a great vessel for us to tell stories or share our journeys, especially emotional ones,” says Pikky, who stayed on in Peninsular Malaysia after moving over for college at the age of 19, due to the greater availability of film work here.

While the busy bee may have just completed filming another Hollywood piece that had her in China for 13 weeks, she is not one to rest on her laurels.

“I will go on to do Asia’s Got Talent Season 3. Yes, we’re back for another great season of talents! Look out for us.

“And next month, I am looking forward to going home to Kota Kinabalu to be with family and catch up with friends, eat amazing food, lie down by the beach, and drink fresh coconut juice all day,” Pikky adds.

The upcoming journey home also had the Sabahan reminiscing about her childhood spent across the South China Sea.

“My favourite part about growing up in Malaysia is having beautiful beaches, islands and mountains – all within the state!

“On top of that, as I grew up and travelled out of the state, I realised how friendly and chilled we are as Sabahans ... anyone who has ever come to Sabah will agree with that,” she says.

Thus, this Malaysia Day, Pikky hopes that the “New Malaysia” will bring us into an age of more love and compassion for each other, with less fighting and arguments over racial differences.

“Malaysia is a beautiful country and we exist in a way that no other country can.

“Whenever things get rough, there’s nothing a good char kuey teow, nasi lemak or banana leaf rice can’t solve,” she laughs.