Cast of local movie 'Rain Town' share how they celebrate Chinese New Year
Susan Lankester

“Well, when my mum was alive, we used to have the eve dinner together as a family. Even though she’s gone, my brother and I still uphold that.

"And then the day itself, it used to be going up to the family house and spending the day there. And whoever came over, we’d help mum entertain and she would cook her specific vegetarian dishes – these are specific dishes that she’d cook only on Chinese New Year and we loved it.

"So, we looked forward to that.

"Now that she’s not here, maybe I’ll just go visit friends... because my mum’s siblings, they’ve all gone overseas.

"So, it’s different, and we miss her especially on CNY and Christmas. We miss her a lot. There’s that void.

"But we remember her happily, during these festive occasions and we try to pass on whatever she taught us – the goodwill, the feeling of loving the family and having people around us... So, we continue it and just follow her tradition.”

Susan Lankester, in a Khoon Hooi outfit, remembers the vegetarian dishes her mother used to make fondly. Photo: WILLIAM GARY/The Star These days, Chew Kin Wah has CNY dinner with his wife's family as his family members are all elsewhere. Photo: WILLIAM GARY/The Star

Chew Kin Wah

“When my mother was alive, we would do the typical Chinese reunion dinner – the gambling and the liquor, all those things.

"Now that she is no longer here and most of my family members are all elsewhere, it’s not a big deal anymore...

"But I’m proud to say that my in-laws celebrate CNY with me."

(Chew is married to Suhaila Merican, an Adjunct Fellow with Universiti Putra Malaysia, who does voluntary work with Five Arts Centre.)

"They’d be like, ‘So, this year, where do you want to eat for reunion dinner?’ And then we go out and eat.

"Before the pandemic, my wife would organise the reunion dinner. And there’s no fixed timing, we would do it one week before or on CNY day, which is something a lot of people are doing now.”

During the CNY period, Pauline Tan goes travelling with her family. Photo: WILLIAM GARY/The Star

Pauline Tan

“For me, Chinese New Year is really a big reunion where you get to see all the relatives.

"It is also the time when my immediate family travels. It was because when we were studying, (our parents) were working, CNY holiday was the only time we could get away for a break.

"So, every CNY holiday we will travel somewhere together as a family.

"But this year, it’s not possible for me to fly (Tan is pregnant).

"Last year, we were in Sabah. It was my first year going back to my husband’s hometown, which is in Sabah, as his wife. And I flew my entire family over to Sabah.”

Wilson Lee says he's looking forward to seeing all his family members. Photo: AZMAN GHANI/The Star

Wilson Lee

“For CNY, we just relax at home. All of us are busy on other days of the year, so this is the only time when all of us can sit down and really spend time together.”

Rain Town opened at cinemas nationwide on Feb 8, 2024.
Rain Town
'Rain Town' opened at cinemas nationwide on Feb 8, 2024.