STREAMING service tonton, which is celebrating a decade in show business, will premiere the first feature film by video-making duo and YouTube sensations Jin Lim and Reuben Kang on Malaysia Day (Sept 16).
The Subang Jaya duo, known as JinnyboyTV (after their YouTube channel) are childhood friends and the 90-minute film is inspired by their teen years in the township.
Titled By MY Side, the film introduces new and familiar faces.
It is a love story with FlyFM announcer Brandon Ho and Ola Bola actress Marianne Tan playing childhood buddies who become lovers, while stand-up comedienne Joanne Kam, along with newcomers Nadia Nash, Josephine Yap and Adam Shamil make up the supporting cast.
“Reuben is the director and I’m the executive producer, and we will make cameo appearances,” said Lim on the first day of filming at Putrajaya International Convention Centre recently.
By MY Side tells of childhood friends Ben and Faye, who live in Subang Jaya and grow up socialising with mutual, multi-ethnic schoolmates and neighbours.
When they turn 17, love begins to bloom between them. But Ben has to leave for Australia to further his studies, while Faye chooses to stay behind because of financial difficulties.
Kang said the word “MY” in the title was capitalised to reflect the protagonists’ love for their country. (“MY” is the country code for Malaysia)
By MY Side marks Ho’s acting debut. Describing it as a celebration of Malaysian life with references to contemporary culture and timeless traditions, he said his character, Ben, was in love with Faye. But he chooses to pursue a degree abroad to “see the world”.
Ho sees By MY Side as a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of Malaysian youth.
“Our on-screen buddies come from all races and we deal with issues, hobbies and outdoor adventures that reflect the beauty of Malaysian life — my kind of story!”
Describing her “Faye” role as “more challenging” than the journalist she played in Ola Bola, Tan said there were more emotions involved.
“Faye is fragile in the beginning, and depends on Ben for support. Ben is her pillar of strength. She had a hard time growing up because her parents are separated. She laments his move to Australia, but slowly learns to be independent.”
The story may be fiction, but it is inspired by romances of Jin’s and Kang’s friends in Subang Jaya.
“We’re filming it over 20 days, and while most scenes will be shot in the Klang Valley, there will be some filming in Pulau Redang, Terengganu,” said Kang.
Ho will also perform the theme song, also titled By MY Side.
It is written and composed by American singer David Choi, a friend of the filmmakers.
“It’s a feel-good song that beautifully sums up the story. It’s also an anthem about Malaysia’s spirit of togetherness.”
Kang and Lim are thankful to tonton general manager Loh Ben Jern for supporting them.
“We’d also like to thank Daniel Veerapen, who composed a beautiful film score to fit the story,” said Kang.
Since 2012, JinnyboyTV has produced dozens of hit videos, including Oppa KL Style, Ah Wing, Malaysia’s Number One Salesman and Only In Malaysia. They have garnered more than eight million views.
Lim was formerly a radio announcer for Hitz.FM while Kang was a producer in an advertising company.