10 Singaporean films every Singaporean should watch

Made in Singapore: 10 Local films Singaporeans can be proud of

Amanda Lim

09 Oct 2015

updated the 10 October 2015 à 14:43

1/10
12 Storeys (1997)
The second feature film of Eric Khoo and the first Singaporean film to be screened at Cannes. Regarded as the most important film ever made in Singapore, the film is a realistic commentary of the ordinary tragic lives of everyday Singaporeans living, literally and figuratively, in a pigeonhole.
2/10
Forever Fever (1998)
Forever Fever is a lighthearted comedy about Ah Hock (Adrian Pang), a Bruce Lee-idolising grocery store employee who desperately wants a motorbike. The only way to get it is by winning a dance competition. Though a comedy full of laughs, this film manages to capture our culture intelligently, making it the best Singaporean comedy yet.
3/10
15 (2003)
The first of Royston Tan’s numeral titled features was released with a wave of controversy. The film about gangster culture was initially banned till the Singapore’s Board of Film Censors later released it only after 27 cuts were made to the film. The experience later led Tan to film his satirical short-film Cut.
4/10
Singapore Dreaming (2006)
Husband and wife team Colin Goh and Woo Yen Yen were inspired to produce Singapore Dreaming after collecting stories from Singaporeans. The film tells the story of the harsh realities of an average Singaporean family trying to achieve their aspirations.
5/10
Invisible City (2007)
Invisible City is an hour-long documentary about documenters. This metadocumentary follows the deeply personal efforts of journalist, photographers and archaeologist as they explore the history of our tiny nation.
6/10
881 (2007)
The musical-comedy-drama is about the unique Getai culture of Singapore. After being blessed with phenomenal singing voices by the Goddess of Getai, two friends are transformed into the hottest acts on the Getai circuit. They end up attracting the wrong kind of attention and must fight to keep their title. Though sometimes ridiculous, this feature film is full of heart and sidesplitting laughs.
7/10
My Magic (2009)
My Magic tells the touching story of a former magician desperately trying to win back the affections of his young son. Khoo made history again when My Magic was up for a Palme d’Or, the highest award of the Cannes Film Festival, making it the first Singaporean film to be nominated.
8/10
Sandcastle (2010)
In this moving film, director Boo Jun Feng tells the story of a young man waiting to start his National Service. During the short period, he experiences death, first love and the worsening illness of his grandmother.
9/10
Ilo Ilo (2013)
This film may very well be the best local film to date. Anthony Chen’s feature debut Ilo Ilo tells the story of a mother’s jealousy over her son’s close relationship and their domestic helper. The film won the Caméra d'Or award at Cannes, making it the first Singaprean film to receive a Cannes award.
10/10
Tatsumi (2013)
Singapore’s first animated feature film is based on the life of prominent Japanese manga artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi. Khoo made a trip to Japan to meet Tatsumi and ask for his permission to produce the film. It premiered in Cannes as part of the Un Certain Regard selection and was well met by critics.

We may be small, but we are a nation burgeoning with talent. especially in the area of film. Check out our list of local films every Singaporean should watch.

Contrary to some statements you may have heard, our small island is not devoid of talent. Our local art scene is thriving more than ever with designers, artists, musicians and filmmakers.

Singapore has always had a long list of decent local films (no, we’re not referring to some local movies that are more parody than feature film). This is largely the contribution of acclaimed director Eric Khoo, who put Singaporean films on the map with his first feature, Mee Pok Man. Today Khoo not only directs his own, but also has a hand in producing a ton of other local films like One Leg Kicking and 881.

The little red dot will never be short of talent filmmakers, especially when we have courses such as Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Film, Sound & Video, which boasts alumni such as directors Boo Jun Feng and Anthony Chen.

In 2013, the latter had gone to receive the Cannes Film Festival’s Caméra d’Or for his debut feature Ill Illo. Chen’s win marked Singapore’s first ever Cannes award.

Supporting local film, music or art is not an act of patriotism, but a pledge to encourage passionate artists in a land of comparatively little opportunity. It’s easy; just start by checking out our curated list of 10 of the best films made by Singaporeans up in the gallery.

Amanda Lim

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