OK so we're slow.
Singapore Dreaming has been out in cinemas since 7 Sep 06 but we only just caught it today. No doubt, the film winning the Mont Blanc Screenwriters Award at the recently concluded San Sebestian Film Festival made it more of a
must see for us. If not, just to figger out what all the hoo-ha was about.
And we liked it.
Admittedly. I am no expert on the local film scene. But Singapore does have a couple of decent Indie film makers like Eric Khoo and Royston Tan plus a mass-market movie-magician in Jack Neo. I suppose we can now add Attorney-turned-director Colin Goh and his US-based, lecturer-wife Dr Woo Yen Yen.
One of the more accessible locally produced films to date, Singapore Dreaming explores the aspirations of the working-class Loh family and their struggle for the middle-class
C's in life. But it is more than just a story about the dreams of a better life. In a beautifully layered and textured way, Colin and Yen Yen weave in issues like the value of a foreign degree, maid abuse, the conservative habit of favouring the male in the family, bad bosses and even the plight of Chinese nationals struggling to eke out an illegal living as Beer Hostesses in heartland
kopitiams. The typical Void-deck Chinese funeral wake is also explored to some degree.
All in all, the directors have managed to capture the slight naunces and nitty-gritties of everyday Singaporean living which locals will identify with and perhaps chuckle along in slight embarassment. There are funny moments and there are sad moments, combined together in a humorous yet poignant tale of wit and irony. With huge dollops of
Hokkien thrown in for good measure, the entire cast gives a heart-felt performance which is utterly believable and not contrived in any way.
Best of all, I think Singapore Dreaming showcases a slice of Singapore alot of foreigners don't know about or haven't seen hidden underneath the polished and immaculate business-like veneer. It gives us abit of our heart and soul back, something no amount of Re-making this island nation can hope to achieve in an earnest but artificial kinda way.
Try to catch it before it runs out ya?
8/10