Singapore Independent Film

Marburger Schriften zur Medienforschung [30]

Although Singapore is one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia, with only 5 million inhabitants, it is also the richest country in the region and the world's fourth leading financial center. But hardly anything is known about the Singaporean culture, especially about film as a medium for expressing the cultural authenticity of this island country. And the multi-ethnic city-state can look back on a long film history. From the colonial past until today, Singapore’s film scene has become emancipated; nowadays Eric Khoo also receives recognition in Cannes. Unfortunately very little is known about the other filmmakers from this pulsating and vivid Asian film scene, such as Royston Tan, Jack Neo, Kelvin Tong, Glen Goei, Chee Kong Cheah, Victric Thng, Tania Sng, Tan Pin Pin and others. This book – the second volume of a series of scientific editions on Southeast Asian Films (the first book looked at the Indonesian cinema) – therefore closes a gap by introducing the Singaporean independent film scene. Personal and biographical backgrounds are illuminated by means of interviews with the filmmakers, in which they discuss their movies and offer insights into their viewpoints on this vivid film culture.