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New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: Rachel's love story inspires rom-com with Malaysia as the star

A YEAR after premiering 'Sight' , about Asian-American eye surgeon Dr Ming Wang, Malaysian beauty queen-turned-filmmaker Rachel Tan is back with 'Worth The Wait'. Expected to reach cinemas in August, it is her sixth movie and is partly shot in Kuala Lumpur. At the movie's recent premiere in Dadi Cinema in KL, Rachel said that 'Worth The Wait' was loosely based on the love story of her husband and business partner, Dan Mark, and herself. "While the characters' names are changed, a lot of it is based on our story, a long distance romance between Seattle in the United States and Kuala Lumpur," said Rachel. STAR-STUDDED The movie boasts a star-studded Asian-American cast which includes Lana Condor, Andrew Koji, Ross Butler, Sung Kang, Elodie Yung, Karena Lam, Osric Chau, Tan Kheng Hua, Lim Yu-Beng and Vincent Xie, who doubles as the producer. Taiwan's Tom Lin of 'The Garden Of Evening Mists' fame is the director, and marks his second movie in Malaysia. " 'Worth The Wait' is like my favourite movie, 'Love Actually'. It is a collection of love stories and we shot it over a few days in KL in June 2023," said Rachel, adding that filming took place over 22 days in Seattle and Vancouver. SEREMBAN Rachel, from Seremban, "leaped" from beauty queen to lawyer to film producer. "I was doing my first year of law school and tried out a beauty pageant during my summer break. "I then realised that I loved the entertainment industry," she said. Rachel said that like all of her previous movies, 'Worth The Wait' carries a common theme, healing and breaking stereotypical roles. "I love stories that take viewers on a journey of healing and redemption. "Basically, all movies that touch the heart, promote family values and give hope." She said the representation of East Asian and Southeast Asian talent in Hollywood was evolving for the better. "I hope that we can be a hub for Asian-American and Asian movies and TV shows." FOUR STORIES 'Worth The Wait' is four stories in one. "They are interconnected stories of four couples, one based on Dan and myself, another based on my sister and her husband, and the other two based on friends," said Rachel. She added that the two-hour movie was an exploration of love in its many facets and how it is "no bed of roses, but always worth it." "It's not just about romantic love but also love between parents and children, between siblings and between best friends. "There's even one about a former couple who choose to be friends even though they are no longer together," said Rachel whose nine-year-old company Kingstreet Pictures produced the movie. Tom said that many of the indoor scenes were filmed in KL despite being set in the US. "I'm really happy to be back in Malaysia, as I love the people here. "Everyone is focused and positive, not to mention helpful and friendly." SUPPORTIVE He added that Rachel and Dan were very supportive of the cast and crew, and gave him a lot of ideas to improve the storyline. Malaysian-American Ross, of 'Riverdale' fame, said that he was honoured to play the male lead Kai who is based on Dan. "My favourite scene was one where Lana and I had to eat durians. I love durians, and introduced her to the king of fruits in that very scene," he said, adding that her character Leah was based on Rachel. "Our best filming destination was Batu Caves, and both of us loved the colourful stairs into the cave, plus its cool and refreshing breeze." Osric, who is of Hong Kong and Malaysian descent, said that his character had to deal with the loss of a stillborn child. "While I'm not yet a father, I was able to grasp my character's pain and grief because it was the real-life experience of a close relative. "My character is a sensitive yet strong husband whose wife is traumatised by the death of their child." Tan' of Singaporean comedy 'Phua Chu Kang' fame' said that she was once again playing a strong, compassionate and protective mother, and she loved such roles. "Playing a mother is so much a part of me, and here I become a pillar of strength to both my daughter and son-in-law," she said. Singaporean actor Lim said that his character was Kai's father who does not approve of his long-distance relationship. "He wants his son to succeed him as head of his law firm, and deep down, Kai isn't happy about it. "But gradually, both father and son realise that one should be free to pursue his own path in life." SEQUEL Dan said that he and Rachel would love to have a sequel to 'Worth The Wait' which will feature more destinations in Malaysia. He said: "The movie is a heart-warming romantic comedy that celebrates Asian talent, cultural connections and cross-border love. "We want to create something that celebrates our Asian identity and which speaks to an international audience." The movie was launched by Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy.