In celebration of the nation's golden jubilee, Singaporeans will soon be able to catch a glimpse of life in early Singapore through five screenings of films made in the 1950s to 70s, which is set to open for free to the public at Capitol Theatre later this month.
From 20 - 23 August 2015, four Singapore films have been restored from their sole surviving print reels so Singaporeans can appreciate the nation’s landscape of the past, celebrate its developments, and delight in its unique cinematic and cultural heritage. The fifth film, Ninaithale Inikkum, was shot in Singapore - a significant way to appreciate our homeland in the past.
Spotlight on Singapore Cinema
Date: 20 - 23 August 2015
Venue: Capitol Theatre (Nearest MRT station: City Hall)
Ticketing Price: FREE (Prior booking is required)
(Book your tickets at SISTIC, here!)
The four-day event will kick off with a special opening screening of Malay period drama, Chuchu Datok Merah (See film details below). The opening event will also have a special 1950s theme to recreate the nostalgia and moviegoing experience in that era.
"Through this initiative, Singaporean of all ages can appreciate and celebrate the developments that have taken place in Singapore,” said Toh Hun Ping, a video artist and film researcher.
With the screenings held at the historic Capitol Theatre, today’s audiences will be able to experience going to the same cinema that their parents and grandparents visited in the 1950s, which makes this screening even more meaningful.
Hand-painted film posters, this forgotten art form, will be relived at this meaningful event for each of the five selected films will have their movie posters recreated by Mr Ang Hao Sai (洪豪狮), one of the last surviving artisans of a once flourishing movie poster painting industry. The posters will also be on display at the venue.
Film Screenings
- Chuchu Datok Merah: 20 Aug (Thurs), 8pm
- Lion City (狮子城) : 21 Aug (Fri), 7.30pm
- Taming of the Princess (醉打金枝): 22 Aug (Sat), 3pm
- Patah Hati: 22 Aug (Sat), 7.30pm
- Ninaithale Inikkum: 23 Aug (Sun), 7.30pm
About the films
Chuchu Datok Merah (Malay, 1963)
A period drama complete with Malay symbolisms, myths and folklore, this M. Amin film portrays its protagonists as anti-heroes and is markedly different from the usual Malay films of its time.The film starred Nordin Ahmad, Rose Yatimah and Latifah Omar, while the music was composed by renowned composer, Zubir Said. The film was produced by Cathay-Keris Films.
Lion City [狮子城] (Mandarin, 1960)
Lion City (狮子城) tells the love story of Feng Ling and Shao Ming, played by Orchid Wong (胡姬), and Pan En (潘恩) respectively. The first Mandarin film produced in post-war Singapore, the film features local talents and themes. The romance between the young lovers played out amidst the socio-political changes in Singapore and the region. The film was produced by Cathay-Keris Films.
Taming of the Princess [醉打金枝] (Hokkien, 1958)
A colourful period opera film based on the popular Chinese story about Tang Dynasty General Guo Ziyi’s son, Guo Ai, and his wife, Princess Sheng Ping. The film’s main cast Xiao Lizhen (筱麗珍), Jin Shanghua (錦上花) and Liu Hu Chen (劉虎臣) were renowned opera singers and stage performers from the local Sin Kee Lin Hokkien Opera Troupe (新麒麟闽剧团), who were widely celebrated by Hokkien opera fans in the Southeast Asian region. Taming of the Princess (醉打金枝) was the first Hokkien opera film wholly produced by Singapore and Malaya film companies and talents, Hong Kong United Co. Ltd.
Patah Hati (Malay, 1952)
Featuring a younger P. Ramlee as an actor, Patah Hati is a love story between Rahimah and Kassim shot at iconic locations such as the Alkaff Gardens, Rex Cinema and Kallang Airport. The film starred famous actresses Neng Yatimah and Musalmah. Patah Hati was produced by Shaw’s Malay Film Productions.
Ninaithale Inikkum (Tamil, 1979)
A romantic-comedy drama between Chandru and Sona, the film features famous Indian actors from the 1970s such as Kamal Hassan, Rajinikath and Jayaprada. Inspired by the Beatles, the band and music in the film is the main attraction of the film, with several of its soundtracks remixed in recent years.
The film was shot at fondly remembered landmarks such as the Singapore National Theatre, Paya Lebar Airport , Mount Faber and many others. The film was produced by Premaalaya Productions.
Spotlight on Singapore Cinema is an initiative led by the Media Development Authority (MDA), in collaboration with the National Library Board, National Archives of Singapore, Asian Film Archive, and the National Museum of Singapore.