"Made in Singapore" Movies (Online Search Results)
I had previously typed out (but not published in the post) the term "made in singapore movies", and decided to literally do so on my google search, with these being the result (screengrabs below):
Not what I had expected, but it certain caught my attention, and I aim to introduce the FIRST THREE FILMS of each category, along with any personal commentary with my "connection" to these films. ALSO, this is obviously not a definitive representation of "Made In Singapore" films, but is based on my desktop search results, cheers.
And as I delved into each film I'd also realized they were all available to watch on Netflix - which I've linked here, but am not affiliated to, cheers.
Andy TOYSREVIL
POPULAR FILMS: I don't know what "quantifies" each of the listings on each category, no doubt at the mercies of Algorithm Cyber-Gawds... but these are the First Three Listings for Films I have not watched (yes, including "Homerun" :p).
"In the Room" is a 2015 feature film directed by Eric Khoo (with writers Andrew Hook and Jonathon Lim / IMDb) featuring six different stories of six couples in a single-room brothel at a hotel in Singapore, spread over several decades (Wiki). The film is marked as Singapore's first erotic film (Rated R21: Sexual Scenes), which you can currently watch here on Netflix.
I have not had the pleasure of watching this film (besides the trailer), but it immediately brings my muddled memories back to his 1997 feature film, the by now classic "12 Storeys" (which to me is a "must watch Top Twenty Made In Singapore films", IMHO), also an ensemble piece featuring a anthological aspect to the story.
"Homerun" ("跑吧孩子") is a 2003 Singaporean Mandarin-language period film, written and directed by Jack Neo, and produced by Mediacorp Raintree Pictures.
"Homerun is a drama about two poor siblings and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes. Set in 1965, the year Singapore separated from Malaysia, the film satirises the political relations between the two countries, leading to its banning in Malaysia.". (Wiki). Watch the trailer direct on YouTube, with the video seen above being the theme song "拥有" preview.
This feature is a remake of the award-winning Iranian film "Children of Heaven". Rated "PG", this 1h 43m long feature can currently be watched here on Netflix.
SPOILER VIDEO REVIEWS / NOT TRAILER:
"Blood Ties" ("还魂") is a 2009 Singaporean film in Chinese directed by Chai Yee Wei. I've not known about this film before this blog-feature, so I am discovering this as much as you might be, reading this ...
SYNOPSIS (Wiki): "Gangs bribed policeman Shun's boss Woon sir and friend Shen, then raped his wife Ah Mei and killed both. Within the week after their death, Shun and Ah Mei controlled the bodies of Shun 's younger sister Qing and mother Madam Lee to take revenge on those people involved. Seven days afters he was sold out by his boss and murdEred by the crime syndicate he was pursuing, policeman Shun possesses his younger sister body to exact vengeance on those who killed him."
I've tried to search for the actual trailer, but instead present to you two review videos (in Mandarin/Chinese), which SPOILS the film's storyline, but we get to see the aesthetics and visual treatment of said film. You can currently watch this 1h 35m feature here on Netflix (Rated "M18").
SPOILER VIDEO REVIEWS / NOT TRAILER:
TOP PICKS FOR YOU: I have zero idea how the selection was presented to me, but the gist of this entire blogpost was borne of my desire to pst about the second film in this category, because I self-servingly worked on it, cheers :)
"The Truth About Jane and Sam" ("真心话") is a 1999 Hong Kong film co-produced by Hong Kong's Film Unlimited and Singapore's Raintree Pictures. Directed by Hong Kong director Derek Yee, the movie stars Singapore actress Fann Wong and Taiwanese male singer Peter Ho (Wiki), which may be a reason why we get to see more of his Music Video than be able to find the actual film trailer LOL. The closest I can find is the above fan-made MV showcasing footage from the film, cheers. Rated "PG" and clocking in at 1h 29m, currently watchable here on Netflix.
"The Teenage Textbook Movie" is a film adaptation of Adrian Tan's bestselling 1988 novel "The Teenage Textbook". Released in November 1998 and distributed by Cathay, the film is directed by Philip Lim (with writers Philip Lim, Haresh Sharma and Edmund Tan). "It is a lighthearted look at the lives of four students in Singapore as they start junior college." (Wiki / IMDb). You can currently watch this "PG"-rated, 1h 31m long film here on Netflix.
I have proud memories of this film, as it was my second feature film worked on in my short-lived career here in Singapore, and my first feature to be credited as "Production Designer", cheers. You can view behind-the-scenes images on my Facebook, as well behind-the-scenes sharing of the Art/Design on andyhengart.blogspot.com
"My Dog Dou Dou" ("我的狗蚪蚪") is a 2012 Chinese language feature film, directed by Say Yong Ng. Stars Cathryn Lee, Ivan Lo and Shih-Sian Wang, this "PG" rated 1h 39m long feature can currently be watched on Netflix. "A father and son's strained relationship is re-ignited when a dog with predictive power enters their lives."
DRAMAS: Interestingly lists TWO films by Eric Khoo (both I've actually watched) and a heartland-esque dramatic feature film that does not necessarily or easily fall into the "Comedy" genre. NICE.
"Mee Pok Man" is a 1995 Singaporean film directed by Eric Khoo. The film is Eric Khoo's debut feature, released under his film production company, Zhao Wei Films (Read more on Wiki). "The film stars Joe Ng as the male protagonist Johnny, a Chinese seller of noodles (mee pok), and Michelle Goh, who plays a prostitute."
I distinctively remembered watching this at Majestic Theatre in Chinatown, as part of the local film festival, and gagging at the flash visual of female anatomy on the big screen, from a Made-in-Singapore film with a very distinctive "indie film"-vibe (one of the main reasons why I'd attended SIFF religiously back in the day), and the vivid memory of something furry scampering past my sandals-clad legs when the gorgeous Ms Goh first came on screen. Dude.
"The film was given an "R(A)" rating in Singapore, restricting the movie audience to adults aged 21 and above, but after the change in film ratings in 2004, it was re-rated "M18" (aged 18 and above).". With a duration of 1hour 50minutes, "Mee Pok Man" is currently watchable here on Netflix.
"Be with Me" is a 2005 Singaporean drama film directed by Eric Khoo. Wikipedia: "The film is inspired by the life of deaf-and-blind teacher Theresa Poh Lin Chan. It premiered as the Director's Fortnight selection in the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. It was also the official entry from Singapore for the 78th Academy Awards in the foreign language category. In December 2005, the academy body disqualified the film on grounds that the dialogue is mainly in English. Out of 93 minutes, the film only has two and a half minutes of dialogue."
And while I'd watched and owned the DVD for this feature, I'd not actually known (until prepping this blogpost) that "Be with Me is the first film in Singapore to explicitly feature a lesbian relationship."
Running one and a half-hours, the film is currently watchable here on Netflix, rated "M18".
"Singapore Dreaming" is a 2006 Singaporean drama film, written, produced and directed by Colin Goh and Woo Yen Yen. "The film is inspired by a 2000 Singaporean essay titled "Paved with Good Intentions", that the writers of the film had written for the Singapore International Foundation"... Read more about the genesis of the feature here on Wiki.
SYNOPSIS: "It follows the Loh family, a typical Singaporean working-class family, through their aspirations and dreams for a better and affluent life and the reality that would make it difficult for them to fulfill these aspirations."
Clocking in at 1h 32m, you can currently watch this "PG13" rated feature on Netflix, or the FULL FILM on YouTube embedded below, cheers.
COMEDIES: None too surprisingly, all three listed are "Jack Neo" related, who has singularly cornered the local Mandarin-speaking mass market for "Comedies". His usage of Singlish is as much accepted as his commentary on local governmental and social issue recognised by the masses. There have been brickbats and naysayers, but ultimately the box-office receipts have spoken. And also former Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong "commended Jack Neo's creative talent during his National Day Rally address on 18 August 2002", (for the film "I Not Stupid" = Good film), and is etched in a lot of folks' memories, including my own parents'. In the immortal words of Phu Chu Kang; "Don't Play play."
"Money No Enough" ("钱不够用") is a 1998 Singaporean comedy film about three friends with financial problems who start a car polishing business together (Wiki), from an original story by J.P. Tan and written by Jack Neo, directed by Tay Teck Lock and produced by JSP Films. You can watch the "PG13" 1h 34m feature here on Netflix, or watch the FULL FILM embedded above, cheers.
The oft scripted jabs at local government and governmental campaigns in this film would continue into Jack Neo's films until this day. This feature spawned a sequel "Money No Enough 2" ("钱不够用二") in 2008, although technically the stories are not connected.
"Just Follow Law" ("我在政府部门的日子") is a 2007 Singaporean comedy film directed by Jack Neo. Starring Fann Wong, Gurmit Singh and Moses Lim, the film is currently watchable here on Netflix (Rated "PG" / 1h 52m). Casting Fann Wong and Gurmit Singh in a single Singapore-made movie made a hell out of $ense during that time too!
SYNOPSIS: "In the film, a blue-collar technician and the events and promotion department director swap souls after a freak accident at a fictional government agency Work Allocation Singapore (WAS). It was first released in Singapore on 15 February 2007."
"The Best Bet" ("突然发财") is a 2004 Singaporean comedy film written and directed by Jack Neo and distributed by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. The film stars Richard Low, Mark Lee, Christopher Lee, Chen Liping and Joanne Peh. The film is a mixture of Mandarin and free-flowing Hokkien (Chinese dialect). I've not watched this film beyond the clips/segments for this blogpost, and it is effin hilarious lor :)
SYNOPSIS: "The film portrays the lives, struggles and adventures of three friends who are addicted to gambling. They place a joint 4D bet; when they win, one is tempted to keep all the winnings to himself. This satirical comedy touches on gambling addiction and the consequences of one's actions."
Watch the "PG" rated 1h 46m film here on Netflix, or the below embedded YouTube FULL FILM.
The success of the film spawned a television series of the same name which aired on MediaCorp Channel 8 in April 2005 and ran for 14 episodes," according to Wiki, and as well "The film was nominated for Best Original Film Song at the 2004 Golden Horse Awards."
Not what I had expected, but it certain caught my attention, and I aim to introduce the FIRST THREE FILMS of each category, along with any personal commentary with my "connection" to these films. ALSO, this is obviously not a definitive representation of "Made In Singapore" films, but is based on my desktop search results, cheers.
And as I delved into each film I'd also realized they were all available to watch on Netflix - which I've linked here, but am not affiliated to, cheers.
Andy TOYSREVIL
POPULAR FILMS: I don't know what "quantifies" each of the listings on each category, no doubt at the mercies of Algorithm Cyber-Gawds... but these are the First Three Listings for Films I have not watched (yes, including "Homerun" :p).
"In the Room" is a 2015 feature film directed by Eric Khoo (with writers Andrew Hook and Jonathon Lim / IMDb) featuring six different stories of six couples in a single-room brothel at a hotel in Singapore, spread over several decades (Wiki). The film is marked as Singapore's first erotic film (Rated R21: Sexual Scenes), which you can currently watch here on Netflix.
I have not had the pleasure of watching this film (besides the trailer), but it immediately brings my muddled memories back to his 1997 feature film, the by now classic "12 Storeys" (which to me is a "must watch Top Twenty Made In Singapore films", IMHO), also an ensemble piece featuring a anthological aspect to the story.
"Homerun" ("跑吧孩子") is a 2003 Singaporean Mandarin-language period film, written and directed by Jack Neo, and produced by Mediacorp Raintree Pictures.
"Homerun is a drama about two poor siblings and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes. Set in 1965, the year Singapore separated from Malaysia, the film satirises the political relations between the two countries, leading to its banning in Malaysia.". (Wiki). Watch the trailer direct on YouTube, with the video seen above being the theme song "拥有" preview.
This feature is a remake of the award-winning Iranian film "Children of Heaven". Rated "PG", this 1h 43m long feature can currently be watched here on Netflix.
"Blood Ties" ("还魂") is a 2009 Singaporean film in Chinese directed by Chai Yee Wei. I've not known about this film before this blog-feature, so I am discovering this as much as you might be, reading this ...
SYNOPSIS (Wiki): "Gangs bribed policeman Shun's boss Woon sir and friend Shen, then raped his wife Ah Mei and killed both. Within the week after their death, Shun and Ah Mei controlled the bodies of Shun 's younger sister Qing and mother Madam Lee to take revenge on those people involved. Seven days afters he was sold out by his boss and murdEred by the crime syndicate he was pursuing, policeman Shun possesses his younger sister body to exact vengeance on those who killed him."
I've tried to search for the actual trailer, but instead present to you two review videos (in Mandarin/Chinese), which SPOILS the film's storyline, but we get to see the aesthetics and visual treatment of said film. You can currently watch this 1h 35m feature here on Netflix (Rated "M18").
TOP PICKS FOR YOU: I have zero idea how the selection was presented to me, but the gist of this entire blogpost was borne of my desire to pst about the second film in this category, because I self-servingly worked on it, cheers :)
"The Truth About Jane and Sam" ("真心话") is a 1999 Hong Kong film co-produced by Hong Kong's Film Unlimited and Singapore's Raintree Pictures. Directed by Hong Kong director Derek Yee, the movie stars Singapore actress Fann Wong and Taiwanese male singer Peter Ho (Wiki), which may be a reason why we get to see more of his Music Video than be able to find the actual film trailer LOL. The closest I can find is the above fan-made MV showcasing footage from the film, cheers. Rated "PG" and clocking in at 1h 29m, currently watchable here on Netflix.
"The Teenage Textbook Movie" is a film adaptation of Adrian Tan's bestselling 1988 novel "The Teenage Textbook". Released in November 1998 and distributed by Cathay, the film is directed by Philip Lim (with writers Philip Lim, Haresh Sharma and Edmund Tan). "It is a lighthearted look at the lives of four students in Singapore as they start junior college." (Wiki / IMDb). You can currently watch this "PG"-rated, 1h 31m long film here on Netflix.
I have proud memories of this film, as it was my second feature film worked on in my short-lived career here in Singapore, and my first feature to be credited as "Production Designer", cheers. You can view behind-the-scenes images on my Facebook, as well behind-the-scenes sharing of the Art/Design on andyhengart.blogspot.com
"My Dog Dou Dou" ("我的狗蚪蚪") is a 2012 Chinese language feature film, directed by Say Yong Ng. Stars Cathryn Lee, Ivan Lo and Shih-Sian Wang, this "PG" rated 1h 39m long feature can currently be watched on Netflix. "A father and son's strained relationship is re-ignited when a dog with predictive power enters their lives."
DRAMAS: Interestingly lists TWO films by Eric Khoo (both I've actually watched) and a heartland-esque dramatic feature film that does not necessarily or easily fall into the "Comedy" genre. NICE.
"Mee Pok Man" is a 1995 Singaporean film directed by Eric Khoo. The film is Eric Khoo's debut feature, released under his film production company, Zhao Wei Films (Read more on Wiki). "The film stars Joe Ng as the male protagonist Johnny, a Chinese seller of noodles (mee pok), and Michelle Goh, who plays a prostitute."
I distinctively remembered watching this at Majestic Theatre in Chinatown, as part of the local film festival, and gagging at the flash visual of female anatomy on the big screen, from a Made-in-Singapore film with a very distinctive "indie film"-vibe (one of the main reasons why I'd attended SIFF religiously back in the day), and the vivid memory of something furry scampering past my sandals-clad legs when the gorgeous Ms Goh first came on screen. Dude.
"The film was given an "R(A)" rating in Singapore, restricting the movie audience to adults aged 21 and above, but after the change in film ratings in 2004, it was re-rated "M18" (aged 18 and above).". With a duration of 1hour 50minutes, "Mee Pok Man" is currently watchable here on Netflix.
"Be with Me" is a 2005 Singaporean drama film directed by Eric Khoo. Wikipedia: "The film is inspired by the life of deaf-and-blind teacher Theresa Poh Lin Chan. It premiered as the Director's Fortnight selection in the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. It was also the official entry from Singapore for the 78th Academy Awards in the foreign language category. In December 2005, the academy body disqualified the film on grounds that the dialogue is mainly in English. Out of 93 minutes, the film only has two and a half minutes of dialogue."
And while I'd watched and owned the DVD for this feature, I'd not actually known (until prepping this blogpost) that "Be with Me is the first film in Singapore to explicitly feature a lesbian relationship."
Running one and a half-hours, the film is currently watchable here on Netflix, rated "M18".
"Singapore Dreaming" is a 2006 Singaporean drama film, written, produced and directed by Colin Goh and Woo Yen Yen. "The film is inspired by a 2000 Singaporean essay titled "Paved with Good Intentions", that the writers of the film had written for the Singapore International Foundation"... Read more about the genesis of the feature here on Wiki.
SYNOPSIS: "It follows the Loh family, a typical Singaporean working-class family, through their aspirations and dreams for a better and affluent life and the reality that would make it difficult for them to fulfill these aspirations."
Clocking in at 1h 32m, you can currently watch this "PG13" rated feature on Netflix, or the FULL FILM on YouTube embedded below, cheers.
COMEDIES: None too surprisingly, all three listed are "Jack Neo" related, who has singularly cornered the local Mandarin-speaking mass market for "Comedies". His usage of Singlish is as much accepted as his commentary on local governmental and social issue recognised by the masses. There have been brickbats and naysayers, but ultimately the box-office receipts have spoken. And also former Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong "commended Jack Neo's creative talent during his National Day Rally address on 18 August 2002", (for the film "I Not Stupid" = Good film), and is etched in a lot of folks' memories, including my own parents'. In the immortal words of Phu Chu Kang; "Don't Play play."
"Money No Enough" ("钱不够用") is a 1998 Singaporean comedy film about three friends with financial problems who start a car polishing business together (Wiki), from an original story by J.P. Tan and written by Jack Neo, directed by Tay Teck Lock and produced by JSP Films. You can watch the "PG13" 1h 34m feature here on Netflix, or watch the FULL FILM embedded above, cheers.
The oft scripted jabs at local government and governmental campaigns in this film would continue into Jack Neo's films until this day. This feature spawned a sequel "Money No Enough 2" ("钱不够用二") in 2008, although technically the stories are not connected.
"Just Follow Law" ("我在政府部门的日子") is a 2007 Singaporean comedy film directed by Jack Neo. Starring Fann Wong, Gurmit Singh and Moses Lim, the film is currently watchable here on Netflix (Rated "PG" / 1h 52m). Casting Fann Wong and Gurmit Singh in a single Singapore-made movie made a hell out of $ense during that time too!
SYNOPSIS: "In the film, a blue-collar technician and the events and promotion department director swap souls after a freak accident at a fictional government agency Work Allocation Singapore (WAS). It was first released in Singapore on 15 February 2007."
"The Best Bet" ("突然发财") is a 2004 Singaporean comedy film written and directed by Jack Neo and distributed by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. The film stars Richard Low, Mark Lee, Christopher Lee, Chen Liping and Joanne Peh. The film is a mixture of Mandarin and free-flowing Hokkien (Chinese dialect). I've not watched this film beyond the clips/segments for this blogpost, and it is effin hilarious lor :)
SYNOPSIS: "The film portrays the lives, struggles and adventures of three friends who are addicted to gambling. They place a joint 4D bet; when they win, one is tempted to keep all the winnings to himself. This satirical comedy touches on gambling addiction and the consequences of one's actions."
Watch the "PG" rated 1h 46m film here on Netflix, or the below embedded YouTube FULL FILM.
The success of the film spawned a television series of the same name which aired on MediaCorp Channel 8 in April 2005 and ran for 14 episodes," according to Wiki, and as well "The film was nominated for Best Original Film Song at the 2004 Golden Horse Awards."
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