Still from Sanif Olek's The Manifest
Fast forward to March and the four entries by Tan Zi
Hui, Alvona Loh, Thomas Goh and Sean Loo were the selected winners, and film
production went into full gear.
Just as news of the finished films that form the named
anthology Together Apart was out, the project also 'earned' some sensationalism when it was announced that the film directed by Eric Khoo (based on the
winning entry by Tan Zi Hui) would no longer be included due to concerns raised
by the preview audience that it could cause unintentional offence if viewed out
of context. To be exact, it was a zombie musical in which zombies were used to represent foreigners while Singaporeans were the 'humans'. Please appear on YouTube soon. It sounds like a riot!
Here are our thoughts on the works.
Directed by K.
Rajagopal and based on the logline from Sean Loo
The first short film that kicks off the anthology details the
story of a young foreign Indian couple who migrated to Singapore in search of
better opportunities. Fresh of the buzz of A Yellow Bird, many viewers would harbour much
anticipation for the film and it certainly did not disappoint. It was a
grounded story that portrayed the real challenges of integration into new
cultures while simultaneously highlighting the contributions (both social and
economic) that foreign talents bring.
On a closer look, the premise of the story could be
further strengthened as the cause of conflict between Sanjay (Mayur Gupta) and
his manager (Oon Shu An) did not seem to raise the stakes high enough. However, the storyline is still well-executed towards the end. Wife Divya
(Mayur Gupta) and a cameo by Ghafir Akbar certainly added much depth and colour
to the short film. Overall, an easy film to appreciate, Sanjay is definitely more than the sum of its parts – a clear
storyline that was well executed both performance wise by the actors and
cinematically well crafted by the director and production team.
Directed by Sanif Olek
and based on the logline from Thomas Goh
The second film in the anthology took us the audience over
100 years into the future. Where Singapore now had its own space program and we
enter right smack in the middle of a bickering exchange between an overseas
educated Kyle / Khalil Barret (Keagan Kang), and a local boy made good Morgan /
Murugan (Sivakumar Palakrishnan). The voice of the spaceship (Aidli Mosbit)
adds a sense of logic and calm to the tense exchanges between the two crew members
as they argue about the role and contributions of foreigners in a modern
Singapore.
This short film is an unexpected gem. The premise of
the film itself is perhaps not unfamiliar in this day of science fiction films.
However, the context and execution, together with the brilliant twist at the
end was certainly nearing genius in the film’s ability to create and solve the
unexpected. What seemed initially to be plot holes or perhaps weak elements at
the beginning of the film, raised questions that were well and truly answered
by the end. It was a true pleasure to watch a story journey so well paced and
well executed.
It would really be nit picking by perhaps suggesting for a
stronger, grounded exchange between Kyle and his father – and perhaps a very slight
tweak to the opening line’s use of both ‘advised’ and ‘advice’ in the same
sentence! In its entirety, The Manifest proved to be a very successful
marriage of story, performance and direction.
Beijing, Mumbai,
Tampines (BMT) (36:52-46:57)
Directed by Kelvin
Tong and based on the logline from Alvona Loh
The final short film in this anthology touches upon the
shared experience of a group of National Service recruits consisting both of
ordinary Singaporeans and new citizens. It is a refreshingly unapologetic
display of the surface tensions that exist, and seeks to unwrap the shared
experience and humanity underneath.
Of all the films in the anthology, this is perhaps the most identifiable.
National Service is a common shared experience for many Singaporeans – not just
for the recruits themselves but also for their families and loved ones. This film was evidently highly efficient and clear in its aim and purpose. The story’s
arch – beginning, middle and end – was well defined and the message of common
understanding clearly communicated. While perhaps it is not the most complex of
stories, its charm lies in its simplicity and ability to engage.
Photo credit: MCI
Review by Ivan Choong
Watch the entire film 'Together Apart: The Anthology' here:
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