2015 saw no lack of Singapore films popping up in cinemas, many trying to commemorate our nation’s 50th birthday. But even though a number of them were made to capitalise on the SG50 fervour, there were four gems that made us proud in 2015. They relied on a good story, strong characters and just plain old film making skills to give us a good experience. So here are the four films that made all Singaporeans proud in 2015.
This beautifully shot horror story was an intense psychological and supernatural drama that stemmed from the most universal of emotions — a mother’s love. Who can forget that scene of the piano keyboard cover slamming down repeatedly on Jesseca Liu’s fingers, or the appearance of the true terror that was responsible for all the nasty hauntings in the house?
Although Liu Ling Ling’s character had a backstory that came out of nowhere, it was chilling to see the consequences of her scheming. Especially since her motivation also came from a mother’s love, albeit love that became twisted and depraved from an inability to let go.
The title hooked you with the promise of an intriguing story in one of the most familiar landmarks in Singapore. Helmed by thespian heavyweights Adrian Pang and Judee Tan, as well as Filipino actor Epy Quizon, the film touched on sensitive issues that other movies usually only pay lip service to while still giving us a satisfying ending to everything.
The film’s larger than life premise also made it memorable, as one of the characters quipped about the absurd number of guns appearing in the movie, given that it was set in Singapore. Not to mention the incredibly dramatic finale which saw a hostage situation and a whole swarm of police descending on a bungalow.
One of the most relatable Singapore families to have hit the big screen for a long, long time, “Our Sister Mambo” updated the nuclear family to today’s context. With characters spanning the gamut of Singaporean stereotypes and couples of all stripes, the film acknowledged the increasingly common, non-traditional inclinations of the new generation.
It brought together familiar elements in a unique way, and its theme of the Singaporean dream also left moviegoers with a sense of hope. The title might have been rather strange, but the story itself was one that really resonated.
It may not feel as polished as the others, but there’s no doubting how Singaporean this film is. Borne as a spinoff of the Singapore TV comedy “Spouse for House,” it showed just how much Singaporeans love their ah bengs. Boasting another curly-haired, egotistical ah beng as its protagonist, it managed to meld the modern and the 80s together, showing us how much Singapore has developed as a nation.
It was also put together unbelievably quickly, so some of its rougher edges can be forgiven. And hopefully, we’ll have a new quintessential Singaporean ah beng for the new generation!
Leave a Reply