Saw Teong Hin is an award-winning, Malaysian director, producer and screenwriter for film, TV and theatre and was Louis Vuitton Malaysia’s Generation Next (2003), was Tatler’s 100 People You Must Know In Asia (2006), received the CHT Essence Art Award (2009), was August Man, Men Of The Year (2017) and was Chinese Film Association Malaysia Leading Film Industry Person (2018). 

He is best known for his directorial debut of “Puteri Gunung Ledang” (2004) - the first Malaysian submission for the Academy Awards and the first Malaysian film invited to the Venice International Film Festival. And his production company, Real Films, provided production support for Ang Lee’s “Lust: Caution”, produced the Sudirman-tribute musical film, “Hoore! Hoore!” (2012) and the Penang Hokkien film “You Mean The World To Me”(2017).

Childhood

Born in Georgetown, Penang in 1962, Teong grew up the youngest son of six siblings. He later obtained a scholarship to study double physics and mathematics at the National University of Singapore; the first of his generation to head to university. 

However, he never graduated. 

Teong Hin’s parents were incredibly understanding and encouraged him to return as after he was kicked out of NUS, but the shame of what had happened meant that he couldn’t do so and moved instead to Kuala Lumpur.

Moving to Kuala Lumpur

Teong Hin started off couch surfing among his friends, before landing a model gig for Shell. 

We then discussed:

• How he ended up as a production assistant to Joe Hasham;
• Learned the ropes as a production assistant before rising to become a producer in 3 months; and
• Set up his own company and made a name for himself in the TV commercial and music video (e.g. KRU “Fanatik”) world.

Puteri Gunung Ledang

What really allowed Teong Hin to enter the public eye was with his directorial debut of “Puteri Gunung Ledang” in 2004. But it was hardly an easy journey.

We discussed:

• How boredom pushed Teong Hin to spend the next 2 years trying to break into the film industry as a director - but failed;
• How he was on the verge of quitting when a phone call with Tiara Jacqueline changed everything;
• Why he changed the direction of the Puteri Gunung Ledang script into that of a love story at 2am;
• The pushback he received for being chosen as the director of one of Malaysia’s largest film productions to date at the time;
• What it was like directing the Puteri Gunung Ledang film;
• His experience at the Venice Film Festival (hint: Johnny Depp & Tom Cruise!); 
• Why the success of Puteri Gunung Ledang backfired on him; and
• How Mi Fang (Astro at the time) & a feng shui master changed his fortunes!

You Mean the World To Me (Hai Ki Xin Lor)

In 2009, Teong Hin began writing a semi-autobiography of his life. A script that was written as a tribute to his now deceased mother. 

Teong Hin faced a lot of pushback, with many asking why he would be willing to air his dirty laundry. But Teong Hin persevered and we discussed:

• Why Hai Ki Xin Lor first debuted as a stage performance during the Georgetown Festival;
• The storm that threw everything into chaos on the eve of the performance;
• The reception he received from viewers & also family members;
• What it was like filming the silver screen version of Hai Ki Xin Lor; 
• The impact that the film had on moviegoers;
• Whether he would’ve still proceeded to create the film version if his family had been strongly opposed to its production;
• Whether Teong Hin found his “voice” with Hai Ki Xin Lor;
• Whether he would do anything differently

Other Things We Talked About

• Being the creative director for opening (19 Aug) & closing ceremonies of 2017 Southeast Asian Games 
• Impact of COVID on his life and career;
• The challenges of creating a regional film directing career; 
• Whether it’s important to move to other locations to obtain “better” career opportunities; 
• Teong Hin’s advice for those seeking to break into the industry. 

Show notes: https://www.sothisismywhy.com/21