Watch local: First Short, First Feature
Celebrating SG Films
Watch Local is back! This year, Objectifs’ annual series dedicated to showcasing Singapore films turns to the small screen for inspiration. Telemovies commissioned by local television stations have entertained generations of Singaporeans not just in their homes but also on television sets (and, more recently, digital devices) in void decks, community centres and hawker centres across the island.
In Watch Local 2017, a selection of telemovies from the 90s to 2016 will come to life again, on the big screen for the first time. The films range from original scripts to adaptations of short stories and stage plays by local writers.
Join us also for the first session of Production Talk ‘Live’, a sharing session where four filmmakers will talk about their works-in-progress. Co-presented with SINdie.
Objectifs is a partner of “Watch Local”, an initiative under the Singapore Film Commission.
Objectifs Chapel Gallery
7/2/2017 – 11/2/2017
(IDs may be verified at the door for age restricted screenings)
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Programme Schedule
Screening I: The Playground / K Rajagopal
Tues, 7 Feb, 7.30pm
Programme rating: PG
This poignant story, The Playground (2015), is inspired by Cultural Award recipient the late Arthur Yap’s poem 2 mothers in a HDB playground. The relationship between two sisters Hui Fang and Hui Ying, and Hui Fang’s young son Kim Cheong is the main focus in this telemovie directed by award-winning director K. Rajagopal (A Yellow Bird). While Kim Cheong seems funny and everyone likes him – he is also a mature child who cares about his family and clearly sees things that even the adults overlook.
Screening II: Lee Thean-jeen
Wed, 8 Feb, 7.30pm
Programme rating: PG
The Man in the Cupboard (2001)
Timothy has had enough of his dominating wife and has designed the perfect plan to murder her and get away with it. As he hides in the cupboard of his room waiting to execute his plan, he ruminates on his fifteen-year relationship with her. Starring Ivan Heng, Karen Lim. Based on a novel by Colin Cheong.
A Perfect Exit (2007)
When he is diagnosed with a serious heart condition, retiree Mr Koh takes stock of his life and realizes he has nothing and no one to live for anymore. He decides to check out early – commit suicide – through a night of sex with a young girl he finds on the Internet. But Mr Koh gets more than he bargained for. Starring Lim Kay Tong. Based on a short story by Richard Lord (From The Singapore Short Story Project)
Screening III: Muthar Kanave (First Dream) / N.Mohamed Yahssir
Thu, 9 Feb, 7.30pm
Programme rating: PG
Shravan and Charlotte meet each other in University and become inseparable, ignoring their different backgrounds and cultures. But faced with traditional expectations, Shravan has to decide between keeping his parents happy and a future with Charlotte. In Tamil and English, with English subtitles.
Screening IV: Cupid Love 七月俏佳人
Fri, 10 Feb, 7.30pm
Programme rating: PG
One of Mediacorp’s classic telemovies, Cupid Love (1997) revolves around the world of itinerant entertainers. Set in the ’70s, this love story is about a getai singer who falls in love with a rich man’s son played by Chen Hanwei. Also stars Chu Yan, Zio Zio Lim and Koh Chieng Mun.
Screening V: Time Tomorrow
Sat, 11 Feb, 3pm
Programme rating: PG
Time Tomorrow (1993) is Singapore’s first original English telemovie starring Ng Chin Han. Laura Lin was shot to death by a robber, leaving her husband Jen devastated. While Jen is on his way back from work, he runs into Laura from 10 years ago. Jen is shocked by what he sees. After much thought, he believes that the 19-year-old Laura has transported from 10 years ago to present time. On the other hand, Laura is shocked to find out that she has transported to the future and wants to go back. What exactly is going on?
Screening VI: Early Morning Awakening / Gozde & Russel Zehnder
Sat, 11 Feb, 4pm
Programme rating: PG
Mark is the poster child for a typical Singaporean family. His influential parents plot every step of his life, forsaking his personal happiness. Finally, his traumatic experiences at National Service, university, and work leads him to a mental break down. An outcast from his community, he finds Mayling. Her simple-natured exterior masks a deep internal confusion created by the emotional loss of her father and a traditional mother who is deeply rooted in daily life pursuits. One day she meets Mark and an instant bond is formed. The two share a harmonious existence in a world of their own, until reality intervenes. For the Stage to Screen series for the then Arts Central channel, adapted from the award winning play, Off Centre, written by Haresh Sharma.
Screening VII: The Love Machine / Ler Jiyuan
Sat, 11 Feb, 7.30pm
Programme rating: PG13
Set in Singapore, a few years into the future, The Love Machine (2016) is a about a group of lonely, isolated individuals struggling to find love in an era where the dating process is increasingly dominated by technology. The lives of these characters are intertwined through their common associations with an online dating agency: thelovemachine.com. Through their journeys, we expose the different facets of love and relationships in the digital age. No matter how far technology progresses, the human touch is still needed to complete the equation of love.
Objectifs is a partner of ‘Watch Local’, an initiative under the Singapore Film Commission.