In China, we have Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige and Feng Xiaogang. Likewise, in the fledging but miniature Singapore film-scene, we have Eric Khoo, Jack Neo and Royston Tan.
And like their Chinese counterparts, each brings his own style and unique substance to the film he makes. Jack explores family values and typical Singaporean traits, Eric dabbles in pseudo-arthouse flicks often with unusual protagonists. And Royston, well he's just obsessed with digits (15, 4:30, 881) =)) Well you can tell he's a talented Ah Beng since Gangsters and Getai seem to be his
thang nowadays.
Anyway I caught the Temasek Polytechnic graduate's latest offering, 881, today at GV Grand. Its called 881 because the Mandarin pronunciation,
pa pa yao, sounds like Papaya. Which incidentally is the stage-name of the Papaya Sisters, 2 sexy
Ah Lians played by Mindee Ong and Yeo Yann Yann, who find fame (but unfortunately not fortune) working the Getai circuit during the 7th Month Hungry Ghost Festivities.
OK so if you're one of Unkster's international
ang mo browsers and do not know what the hell I am talking about, go google Getai, 7th Month, Hungry Ghost, Ah Lian, Ah Beng, Ah Pek..etc...I have no time to explain =))
Little Papaya (Mindee) and Big Papaya (Yann Yann) grow up idolizing Chen Jin Lang, the King of Hokkien Getai, and dream of becoming Getai singers themselves. Their heart wrenching story is related by their introspective but highly sensitive friend and driver, Guan Yin (played by the very delectable Qi Yiwu) who also happens to be dumb in the movie and has a pet Chicken. I know, Blardy Cock! =)) But I know 3/4 of the girls in the audience so wanted to be fondled like that cock by the 6-pack ab-ed, China-born, brooding hunk.
Coached by their seamstress Aunt Ling (Liu Ling Ling ; the woman deserves the Hokkien equivalent of an Oscar), the Papaya sisters struggle at first because they have no “feel” in their voices. As a last resort, they appeal to Aunt Ling’s estranged twin sister, the Goddess of Getai, for help. She grants them their wish, but warns them the price will be high, especially if they do not obey the 5 rules of Getai, number 5 being that they shall not love or be loved by any man. Yah, tacky but I'll let you guess who breaks that rule =))
881 is really a musical in disguise. With liberal doses of nostalgic Hokkien standards strewn all over its 105mins. When the actors are happy, they sing. When they are sad, they sing. When they are horny, they sing. Hell when they are dying, they also sing =)) And frankly, if you're really not into the campy carousel of feathered boas, liberal glittering make-up, glitzy gaudy costumes and a very jarring dialect, you'll get a headache 15mins into the movie.
But I loved it!
Movies that portray a unique facet of our beloved little red dot, I feel should be supported. And I must say Royston has done this one with such classy
obiangness (oxymoron alert!), I want to go right out and buy the Soundtrack later =)). Plus with such excellent timing too, since the Hungry Ghost Festival kicks off...errr...now...=)) But of course I must admit I'm also a little smitten with Little Papaya Mindee. Aiyoh what a kewty pie!
The Papayas (who themselves have nice papayas *blush*) find that their almost meteoric rise to Getai Stardom comes with its share of catfights. And this arrives in the form of the very
gatal Eurasian Twosome, MTV's May And Choy, who play the spiky-esplanade-bra wielding duo, the Durian Sisters. Its a blardy fruitshop I tell ya! =))
There is an eventual showdown in a heartland Getai between the 4 girls and someone dies (but not from fighting or singing =P). That's so much I can say without spoiling it for you.
Go catch it, and I guarantee you'll be humming along to the film's title Hokkien track,
One Half, in no time...
Huat Ah!7.8/10
Labels: Movies