Having a meal (or a kopi) at the kopitiam is one of the closest things we have to a universal Singaporean experience. So it’s no wonder that Kopitiam Days, an anthology of six short films about Singapore, uses this to connect all the stories – whether it’s literal or thematic. Like the kopitiams that feature heavily in the short films, each tale is full of Singapore flavour, even as it explores the facets of Singapore through a variety of lenses.
Running time: 128 min
Dragon Gate Assembly
An action-packed love story that not only serves as a tribute to the wuxia genre but an ode to the “uncles & aunties” that are a common sight in the mornings in the heartlands.
Director & Writer: Yeo Siew Hua
Cast:
- Richie Koh (Lim)
- Xenia Tan (Ling Ling)
- Kung Cheung Tak (Homeless Rogue)
- Tay Ping Hui (Agent of the Eastern Court)
- Jasmine Sim (The Cannibal Songstress)
- Tang Fu Kuen (The Blind Erhu)
- Chen Tian Wen (The Heretic Monk)
- Benjamin Ng (The Mong Gambler)
- Xiao Jing (The Woman Upstairs)
It’s a nifty concept which feels like a love letter to the period dramas we used to watch on Channel 8 (before the set was unavailable). I liked most of the humour – but listen carefully and you’ll realise that there’s a lot of wit to the script. Despite being comedic, there are heartfelt portions that manage to tug at the heartstrings. My only quibble is that the biggest name in this short film seems to assume overacting means comedy.
Meet Me at the Pavilion
The sweet tale of a late-blooming love, the short film follows a middle-aged woman who discovers self- confidence and the possibility of romance – through Hainanese opera.
Director & Writer: Shoki Lin
Cast:
- Hong Hui Fang (Ai Hua)
- Zhu Hou Ren (Ye Wen)
- Doreen Toh (Director Yang)
- Steven Woon (Ah Gong)
As a tale that revolves around Hainanese opera, it’s no wonder that the short film makes brilliant use of atmos and sound. The seasoned cast also brings it to life, and what they leave unsaid is what gives this short film its power. The themes of age, being forgotten, and unrequited love are stirring, making it one of the most impactful pieces among the anthology. Plus, we get to see dialect in use as well!
iZ-1
Set in the near future, it features a curmudgeonly Makcik paired with an android caregiver, offering a glimpse into a typical Singaporean household and the universal stresses that arise between an aging mother and her daughter.
Director & Writer: M. Raihan Halim
Cast:
- Siti Khalijah Zainal (Hannah)
- Zaliha Hamid (Mak)
- Fabian Loo (Joe)
- Nabil Zakaria (iZ-1)
The juxtaposition of tradition (the Buangkok kampong) and technology (the robot assistant) is thought-provoking, as it highlights the struggles of how the elderly adapt to technology. The short film has Ejen Ali vibes, which make it a more light-hearted story. Besides, Zaliha Hamid is a riot as a cantankerous old lady. At its core, it’s grounded in character – and expands our definition of what can constitute our family.
Red Plastic Chairs on Sticky Floors
The short film follows a young Singaporean filmmaker in the Netherlands, who begin to hear sounds of home, while working on sound design for her latest project.
Director & Writer: Tan Siyou
Cast:
- Iris Li (Christina)
- Dennis Sanders (Sound Designer)
- Genevieve Tan (Voice of Sister)
- Ranice Tay (Voice of Best Friend)
The short film feels very meta, since it revolves around a Singaporean filmmaker (although she’s very well groomed and put together for a filmmaker). The central character’s homesickness makes you appreciate Singapore more, and invites you to think about what you consider to be iconic of the Singaporean experience.
One Last Song
Inspired by the 1986 Hotel New World tragedy, this short film captures a moving story of an everlasting love that persists after unspeakable loss.
Director & Writer: Don Aravind
Cast:
- Stephen Zechariah (Michael)
- Keerthana (Latha)
- A Panneeirchelvam (Joseph)
- S Siva Kuma (Varathan)
- Vignesh Wadarajan (Ganesan)
This short film explores the issues of inter-faith relationships as religion rears its ugly head. It also touches on another sensitive topic – the Hotel New World collapse of 1986. The forbidden love reminds us of the dangers of intolerance, as well as its impact on the people around us. This is the most daring of the six stories, and consequently skirts so close to OB markers that it’s rather refreshing.
The Morning Call
This short film portrays the blossoming bond between a grandfather and granddaughter as they reconnect over time and tradition.
Director & Writer: Ong Kuo Sin
Cast:
- Yang Shi Bin (Lim)
- Yvonne Lim (Chui Hoon)
- Jennifer Wilkinson (May)
- Angela Ang (Ling Ling)
- Grace Chong (Doreen)
- Chen Tianxiang (Uncle Jack)
- Steven Woon (Uncle Robert)
- Johnny Ng (Uncle Ho)
The final tale ties together all the previous films in, as it centres around the eponymous kopitiam of the anthology. It also does double duty by providing a multi-generational story of its own, replete with plenty of Gen Alpha lingo. It’s a realistic look at the evolving nature of the family unit and how important it is for the different generations to be able to communicate with each other. I loved how it featured the classic orange pay phone as an iconic symbol of the Singaporean experience.
Should you watch Kopitiam Days?
The appeal of Kopitiam Days is how it looks at different walks of life, in different eras, and from different cultures. For me, I really loved the scenes on the road, where the characters are having conversations while driving past familiar bridges. That, and the use of dialect in some of the short films, truly brings out the Singapore flavour.
It’s not so much a question of whether you should watch it – but where? Kopitiam Days is currently not slated for a traditional cinema release. Instead, it will embark on a community outreach initiative, with special screenings to be held at community hubs and centres across the island.
For now, the next available screening is at Tampines Changkat CC, on 16 August (Sat), at 7pm.
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