PETALING JAYA – The new movie The Little Mermaid created its own phenomenon, when diehard fans went to watch it in cinemas clad in full mermaid costume.
Seemingly relaxing, they would flick their colourful tails occasionally while watching the movie much like the character of Ariel, the mermaid played by Halle Bailey in the movie.
They were part of the 62 diehard fans of the Disney movie who had the opportunity to watch it under the auspices of Mermaid Queen and the Onshore Mermaid Scuba School International (SSI) Centre last Saturday.
SSI Centre Bukit Jalil manager Amy Cheng Kher Harn, 44, said they were excited to hold the activity after finding out the live action adaptation of the iconic Disney animated film was headed to the silver screen.
“Some of us have been fans of this film since childhood. So, this is the time for us to come together and show our support for this film," she told Bernama.
Nilai Mermaid Queen SSI Centre manager Farrah Mazlani, 40, said the activity also aims to remove the negative stigma of the community to mermaid swimming activities, which have been described as sexy and seductive.
"Mermaid swimming activity is a fun approach, especially for children who are learning to swim. It is more of a recreational and fitness activity.
"Therefore, we should take advantage of mermaid swimming classes or modules offered to learn safer methods for all ages," she said.
A fan of the film, Chin Wen Xuan, 14, was excited to watch the film because to her Ariel is a beautiful and elegant mermaid.
"I get excited when I watch or read anything related to mermaids... because of the character Ariel, I want to be good at swimming like a mermaid," she said.
For Zara Noor Ajmain Abdul Rahman, who is nine years old, it was fun to see the heart-warming characters of Ariel's friends, namely Sebastian (a crab), Flounder (a fish) and Scuttle (a bird) in addition to enjoying the amazing beauty of the deep sea.
"They make me happy and excited. The story is fun to watch and I'm still in the process of learning to swim well so I can be like Ariel," she added. – Bernama, May 29, 2023
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