But is the origin of a dish – or a person, for that matter – so important in the grand scheme of things?
Namewee’ latest film “Nasi Lemak 1.0” explores this subject in an imaginative and humorous manner. While it shares a similar premise with “Nasi Lemak 2.0”, which received rave reviews upon its release in 2011, “1.0” isn’t a prequel.
The controversial singer, composer, filmmaker and actor plays Chef Huang, who time-travels 600 years into the past in the midst of a cook-off with a rival chef.
A series of comical events follows as Huang tries to do the right thing and, in the process, ends up perfecting his nasi lemak dish while saving Melaka from being invaded by the renowned explorer Cheng Ho.
The film features dialogue in Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia, Hokkien, Tamil and English, and stars a delightful multiethnic cast that includes Karen Kong, Saiful Apek, David Arumugam and AC Mizal.
With its 110-minute runtime, “Nasi Lemak 1.0” – a selection of the New York Asian Film Festival, India’s Jaipur International Film Festival, and Tapei’s Golden Horse Fantastic Film Festival – is highly entertaining while highlighting important sociopolitical issues.
It explores the notion of truth in history, which is often written through the lens of the victors and is, therefore, subject to debate and change.
A particular dish gets its influence from any number of things. In the movie, Huang is credited as being the creator of nasi lemak after he changes the course of history.
But the diverse people around him also play a role in its creation, directly or indirectly. At the end of the day, does the origin of a dish matter more than the fact that it brings people together?
Traitors and tensions
In the same vein, the movie indirectly challenges viewers to question whether a person’s ancestry matters more than their contribution to society. This is a topic that continues to plague Malaysia, fuelling interracial tensions that ostensibly prevent the country from reaching its true potential.
In the movie, the sultan becomes suspicious of Huang and his friends and accuses them of conspiring with Cheng Ho, although, as it turns out (spoiler alert!), the Bendahara was the traitor all along.
It is reminiscent of how Malaysians can get caught up in prejudice towards one another when the ones stirring up disharmony are those with self-serving motives.
Just as the Bendahara is responsible for the sultan being fearful of losing his kingdom to Cheng Ho and the pirates, certain modern-day parties exploit fears for their own gain.
Also noteworthy is that the events take place in an all-women village, which poses the question: would life in a matriarchal society be more agreeable for all, compared to the patriarchy Malaysians live in?
Heart and soul
Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, has been accused of many things and has landed in hot water with the local authorities on numerous occasions. In fact, an international arrest warrant against him has only recently been lifted.
But the multitalented 38-year-old seemingly wants nothing but the best for Malaysia, if the heart and soul in his films and music are anything to go by.
Philosopher George Santayana might have said that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”, but perhaps, from Namewee’s perspective, as long as Malaysians are united, the same mistakes might not be repeated.
‘Nasi Lemak 1.0’ is playing in cinemas nationwide.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram