Julie’s Biscuits: This Is A Raya Ad, Isn’t It?

Julie's Biscuits is shaking things up again, tackling the age-old issue of stereotypical roles with a twist in their latest Hari Raya short film titled 'Ini Iklan Raya Baru, Tau?' (This is a Raya Ad, isn't it?) The film created by GOVT Singapore, flips the script of its 2021 production, busting typical stereotypes we see in society today. Set against the backdrop of preparations for a Hari Raya celebration, the film invites Malaysians to explore traditional definitions of stereotypical roles and see how antiquated expectations no longer hold in today's day and age. Available to watch on the Julie’s Biscuits You Tube channel and website, ‘Ini Iklan Raya Baru, Tau?’ will see the return of much-loved Malaysian actor Amerul Affendi playing the role of ‘Tuan Direktor’. In the ad, the cast and crew seem determined to thwart the stereotypical ideas and script with their breakaway thoughts, leaving ‘Tuan Direktor’ disheartened and failing to produce his desired Hari Raya ad. In the scene ‘Kuih Mak-More’, actress Nadiya Nisaa, she even goes so far as to challenge the script, asking why she must be portrayed as a frenzied mum to show her commitment to her family’s Hari Raya celebration. ‘Ini Iklan Raya Baru, Tau?’ also features actor Afdlin Shauki (who plays the dad in ‘Bila Nak Ka’) and his real-life and on-screen daughter Mia Sara Shauki. Traditional roles in Malaysian households are evolving, and today, a person’s attributes and characteristics rather than their gender, ethnicity, or age define their behaviours and attitudes. The short film invites viewers to consider changes in culturally defined stereotypical roles as people reframe their views.