Local Films
Prior to yesterday, I've never watched any local films on the big screen. Well, not that I can recall at least. But within 2 days, I've watched 2 local films.. all reflecting the Singaporean life.
"Singapore Dreaming"
I didn't exactly planned to watch this show. It was a mystery screening that my brother won. Anyway, I did however had the notion to watch it as the directors are Colin Goh and The Wife. If you read Sunday Times Life, you prob will have read Colin Goh's column. He's the author of the TalkingCock.com too. I always enjoy his columns, so had been anticipating this show.
Now, the show is not bad. Being a local film, it has lots of references to little things in Singapore society and with the large amount of Hokkien used by some of the characters, some of the issues are quite 贴切。Yet, I do find the topics presented slightly cliché.
It basically centers around a typical Singaporean family who lives in the HDB estate. Dad yearns to move up the social class - aimming for 5Cs. Wife is a typical know-nothing housewife. Son just 'graduated' from overseas, but because his degree is from some unknown university, gets looked down upon. Daughter feels 委屈 cos the parents 重男轻女，and her husband isn't earning big bucks. There's even a son's girlfriend who helped pay for the son's studies overseas, only to be disappointed by him.
All these points are awfully familar, which is not the issue. It's just that I wonder are Singaporeans really so materialistic? Are the issues raised really a true reflection of what the majority of Singaporeans are? Personally, I can't identify with most of the points raised, especially the thing about living in condos to elevate the social status. Ok, I don't deny that the bit on prestigious degrees. People do look at you differently when you say you've graduated from Cambridge, Oxford, MIT, Stanford etc etc. Even I have the same prejudice against local unis.. (Yaa.. I know I graduated from NUS... so you can see how much I value my own degree!=P) I think most Singaporeans, especially the younger generation, have moved on from the materialistic pursue. I think we too value greatly our emotional and mental growth. Of course, no one will complain of having deep pockets and luxurious goodies, but I don't think these things are the main concern for most youths anymore. But then again, maybe it's just my wishful thinking that people have moved on from seeking material wealth. Have you? I think I have, I hoped.
Anyhow, overall, it's still worth a catch. Hey, it got me thinking didn't it?
"Singapore GaGa"
This is a documentary film, or rather as the show wrote - video. It was directed by Tan Pin Pin. She centered the film on the lesser known aspects of Singapore. In it, she featured an old busker at raffles place mrt, who juggles tennis balls and plays the harmonica; a lady who sings as she tries to sell packets of tissue to passerbys; madrasah school's sports day; local toy pianist; victor and charlie and a harmonica player among some other stuff.
All these are little things that are part of our local community but which we don't give much thought to. It's sad that half the time people don't even give a second look to the old busker. How much compassion is there in your heart? They don't need our pity, just a little understanding. I am guilty of faking ignorance when I pass by those tissue sellers. Sometimes you just can't help but wonder, there are so many of them. How much can I help by buying those tissues from them? And goodness, $1 for 3 packets of tissue? I can buy a whole big pack of it! The stinginess and selfishness fouls my heart. Yet, on reflection, what is $1 to me? I may not be able to help all in need, but at least that $1 may have made a difference to the seller that day. And that is sufficient.
There are other issues raised that are worth reflecting upon which I shall not dwell on here. This is a good film. Sadly, it ended its run at the ArtsHouse today. If it's being shown again, do go and catch it. You will view the old busker or those tissue sellers differently.
I didn't exactly planned to watch this show. It was a mystery screening that my brother won. Anyway, I did however had the notion to watch it as the directors are Colin Goh and The Wife. If you read Sunday Times Life, you prob will have read Colin Goh's column. He's the author of the TalkingCock.com too. I always enjoy his columns, so had been anticipating this show.
Now, the show is not bad. Being a local film, it has lots of references to little things in Singapore society and with the large amount of Hokkien used by some of the characters, some of the issues are quite 贴切。Yet, I do find the topics presented slightly cliché.
It basically centers around a typical Singaporean family who lives in the HDB estate. Dad yearns to move up the social class - aimming for 5Cs. Wife is a typical know-nothing housewife. Son just 'graduated' from overseas, but because his degree is from some unknown university, gets looked down upon. Daughter feels 委屈 cos the parents 重男轻女，and her husband isn't earning big bucks. There's even a son's girlfriend who helped pay for the son's studies overseas, only to be disappointed by him.
All these points are awfully familar, which is not the issue. It's just that I wonder are Singaporeans really so materialistic? Are the issues raised really a true reflection of what the majority of Singaporeans are? Personally, I can't identify with most of the points raised, especially the thing about living in condos to elevate the social status. Ok, I don't deny that the bit on prestigious degrees. People do look at you differently when you say you've graduated from Cambridge, Oxford, MIT, Stanford etc etc. Even I have the same prejudice against local unis.. (Yaa.. I know I graduated from NUS... so you can see how much I value my own degree!=P) I think most Singaporeans, especially the younger generation, have moved on from the materialistic pursue. I think we too value greatly our emotional and mental growth. Of course, no one will complain of having deep pockets and luxurious goodies, but I don't think these things are the main concern for most youths anymore. But then again, maybe it's just my wishful thinking that people have moved on from seeking material wealth. Have you? I think I have, I hoped.
Anyhow, overall, it's still worth a catch. Hey, it got me thinking didn't it?
"Singapore GaGa"
This is a documentary film, or rather as the show wrote - video. It was directed by Tan Pin Pin. She centered the film on the lesser known aspects of Singapore. In it, she featured an old busker at raffles place mrt, who juggles tennis balls and plays the harmonica; a lady who sings as she tries to sell packets of tissue to passerbys; madrasah school's sports day; local toy pianist; victor and charlie and a harmonica player among some other stuff.
All these are little things that are part of our local community but which we don't give much thought to. It's sad that half the time people don't even give a second look to the old busker. How much compassion is there in your heart? They don't need our pity, just a little understanding. I am guilty of faking ignorance when I pass by those tissue sellers. Sometimes you just can't help but wonder, there are so many of them. How much can I help by buying those tissues from them? And goodness, $1 for 3 packets of tissue? I can buy a whole big pack of it! The stinginess and selfishness fouls my heart. Yet, on reflection, what is $1 to me? I may not be able to help all in need, but at least that $1 may have made a difference to the seller that day. And that is sufficient.
There are other issues raised that are worth reflecting upon which I shall not dwell on here. This is a good film. Sadly, it ended its run at the ArtsHouse today. If it's being shown again, do go and catch it. You will view the old busker or those tissue sellers differently.
posted by Nia at
9:33 PM
2 Comments:
This tissue and keychain seller thing struke me recently because i discover that i started buying from these people. This is like 1 year I refrained from macdonalds and starbucks, and food-chain whatever shit. Starbucks is the best reminder for ourselves we can find $6 to buy a stupid cup of coffee, and cannot pay $8 to watch a film or $12 to purchase a CD produced by a local artist.
We have to re-think our rights/power as consumer and what we support. This is very important.
I watched the film too. There're other more subtle things in the film that struck me. For instance, there is a line in the song one busker sang at the beginning and end of the film that goes "your heart doesn't belong to me"; is Singapore really for Singaporeans?
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