Set to be released in conjunction with the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, Rain Town is a movie that explores a facet of life many of us will find familiar, especially given the upcoming festivities—familial relationships. It tells the story of Mr Choo, a father of three grown children and how their relationship is further strained after the passing of his wife in an accident.

We sat down with director Tunku Mona, known for her award-winning film Redha, and the lead actress Susan Lankester, who plays the role of wife and mother, Aileen. They discuss the inspiration behind the film, the challenges in making it, and why, at the end of the day, Rain Town is truly a Malaysian film for all.

Also in this week’s newsletter:

• 7 ways to decorate your festive table this Chinese New Year
• How Inter Miami CF’s history has set the Lionel Messi-led team up for success on and off the pitch
• The inspiring thought leaders of Asia’s Most Influential are pushing progress with fearless ideas
• Beloved KL creative and fashion maverick Jiman Casablancas passes away at 47

Do check out our all-new digital city guide for Kuala Lumpur for some of our favourite restaurants, cafés, activities and more.

Cheers,
Sim Wie Boon
Digital Editor

The Chinese New Year reunion dinner holds special significance, with each dish symbolising hopes for the upcoming year. Essential dishes include fish for prosperity, as the word for fish, “yu,” also means prosperity, while black moss or fatt choy represents wealth. 

Beyond culinary symbolism, adding carefully chosen decorative items to the table enhances its beauty and brings increased luck. Here are seven essential elements to consider for a festive and auspicious celebration.

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Ahead of the Tatler XFEST match between Inter Miami CF and Hong Kong Team, we dive into the past of the team co-owned by David Beckham and what to expect from the game in our February cover story. The story delves into the team’s evolution, emphasising the pivotal role played by Lionel Messi since his arrival in 2023, propelling Inter Miami to newfound success both on and off the field.

Notably, the team achieved global recognition, becoming the most googled sports team in 2023, amassing over 15 million social media followers. The upcoming match, presented in collaboration with Tatler Asia, sold out within an hour, underscoring the team’s extraordinary journey and solidifying its status as a sporting phenomenon.

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With the advent of e-commerce, departmental stores have to work harder to entice the public. We speak to Nobuhara Yutani, the managing director of Seibu KL in The Exchange TRX on how the department store remains relevant in the digital age and his thoughts on the retail landscape especially for luxury brands which emphasises experience and its environment.

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Well known in the local creative and fashion scene, Mohd Nizam Khamis, better known as Jiman Casablancas, passed away on the evening of January 28, 2024, at the age of 47, succumbing to heart failure. Jiman was a trailblazer in the fashion industry, consistently pushing boundaries with his bold and daring sense of style. Beyond his impact on fashion, he held a special place as one of the most vocal advocates for the Malaysian art and creative scene.

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