KUALA LUMPUR: A new Malaysia Airlines in-flight safety video celebrates local cultures, prominent figures and the performing arts with an exuberant and refreshing take on aviation safety.
Dubbed Satu Dua Tiga, Jom! (One Two Three, Let's Go!), the six-minute film on MAS' YouTube channel sees eight easy-to-follow steps on passenger safety delivered in a punchy manner to a catchy song.
These include an Olympic gymnast showing the brace position in case of an emergency, a rock band urging passengers not to smoke on the aircraft, and Harimau Malaya national football team players singing about the importance of wearing seatbelts.
The video features cameos by actresses Diana Danielle, Datin Lisa Surihani and Sangeeta Krishnasamy, as well as astrophysicist Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Othman and Mercy Malaysia founder Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood.
Others include artistic gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Francisca Luhong, fashion designer Syomir Izwa Gupta and rapper Arabyrd.
The video was produced by Enfiniti and directed by Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, who came up with the idea to create an informative yet captivating safety video with a Malaysian flair.
"I got a call from Malaysia Airlines in October last year, asking if I had ideas for an in-flight safety video they were planning.
"It's really uncanny. As they mentioned the words 'in-flight safety video', I was already visualising what it would look like, and that's always a good sign, for me."
Tiara said this at the unveiling event for the project at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre at 1Utama Shopping Centre on Tuesday.
"This happened at the height of the pandemic, when the entertainment industry was at its lowest ebb and we, as a country, were so down and dispirited.
"That telephone call and the vision in my mind were so powerful that I couldn't sleep for days as I was just obsessing about putting this together.
"There was not much we could do about the pandemic, political or economic situation, and the floods. So many things were beyond our control.
"But what if, from our little corner in the world of performing arts and entertainment, we could do a little something magical that may just create a ripple effect?"
To provide hope to the performing arts and entertainment industry badly impacted by the pandemic, as well as lifting the spirits of Malaysians, Tiara brought her musical touch to the proceedings.
The award-winning actress and producer worked with local singer-songwriter Mia Palencia for several months over the music and lyrics to come up with a mash-up of songs for the film.
The film includes children's folk song, hip hop, retro rock and vocal harmonies.
"In April, we spent several intense days and nights filming with a team of 150 performers and technical crew, as well as my co-director Datuk Yusry Halim.
"The Malaysia Airlines team camped out with us throughout the shoot to observe and ensure that flight safety procedures and representation were adhered to.
"All this while observing the Ramadan fast, mind you, which was the most challenging as this film involved many high-energy sequences.
"However, everyone was in high spirits to be performing in front of cameras again after so long. This was, after all, not just for Malaysia Airlines but for Malaysia.
"In my kick-off speech on the first day of filming, I said, 'let's do this for Malaysia', to get everyone to believe again, and to lift everyone's spirits so we could find the energy to fight back and rebuild our country."
She expressed her gratitude to the 70 personalities who agreed to be part of the project.
"If I have a superpower, it's the ability to bring amazing people together, to make talented people think about achieving even greater things when we put our energies together.
"That's when magic happens. And I'm so grateful to everyone who came together to be part of this video, these wonderful proud Malaysians of all races.
"I am also grateful that Malaysia Airlines gave Enfiniti and I this opportunity to bring together the world of Malaysian aviation and the world of performing arts and entertainment.
"I can't wait for everyone to watch this and be excited to travel and embrace life again."
From August, Malaysia Airlines passengers can view a compact version of the film, while the full version will be available as part of the airline's in-flight experience and entertainment.