SSA 2218 E5 grp 3

Slide 1: 

SSA 2218 – Singapore Film: Performance of Identity Content Money vs 12 storeys Money vs Forever Fever Heartland of Money Average Singaporean of Money The other Singaporeans of Money Done by: Chong Ka Vui Yeo Chuan Chih Yuen Wen Jun Peter Luen Yosua Ng Tommy Toh

Slide 3: 

How is Money different from 12 Storeys in terms of its attempt at delving into the heartland (film style and narrative) ? 1 part 1

Slide 4: 

1. Narrative

Slide 5: 

1. Film Style A. Mise-en Scene - Setting

Slide 6: 

1. Film Style B. Mise-en Scene - Lighting

Slide 7: 

1. Film Style C. Mise-en Scene – Figure Behavior

Slide 8: 

1. Film Style D. Cinematography

Slide 10: 

1. Film Style E. Editing

Slide 11: 

1. Film Style F. Sound

Are there differences between a Chinese Language mainstream film and an English Language mainstream film? : 

Are there differences between a Chinese Language mainstream film and an English Language mainstream film?

2. YEAH MAN! : 

2. YEAH MAN! Local mainstream films can be regarded as an extension of television drama onto the big screen, due to heavy influences of local media which are based on television programs. This results in seeing shadows of resemblance from respective television counterparts in the films

2. Target Audiences : 

2. Target Audiences Money No Enough mainstream films like Money deal heavily with exclusively Singaporean issues, which gravitates the target audience towards Singaporeans. Forever Fever Fever as a mainstream film does not put up this invisible barrier. It does not include issues that are hard for foreigners to understand, but still retains a local flavor to the story telling.

2. Comedic Presentation : 

2. Comedic Presentation There are many external influences on how humor is presented: Local Chinese humor show shadows of Stephen Chow's and Jacky Wu's (premier Asian entertainers/comedians) style of comedy Local English humor tend towards western styles, which adopts more satire and wry humor

2. Film Styles : 

2. Film Styles Sound while both local films have a melodramatic style, the songs used in each film achieve different results songs in Money are specifically written to fit the context of the movie; it probes the audience to think deeper into the topics that the movie focuses on songs in Fever are commercial songs, which are used to enhance the emotions felt during the scenes

Slide 18: 

This may be a Singapore that is more familiar to the average Singaporean, but does the idea of the Other Singaporean in an(Other) Singapore still apply? Is this the same heartland as official representations of it? 2 part 1

3. Performance of Singapore Heartland as a Nation identity : 

3. Performance of Singapore Heartland as a Nation identity “A nation is a community socially constructed, which is to say imagined by the people who perceive themselves as part of that group” – Benedict Anderson, 1991 Heartland Mental image of heartland as an identity Interaction and share experience Emotional attachment to the space within

“Your Neighbourhood - where you live, work and play. Get to know your neighbourhood better since this is where you belong. “ – HDB, 2010 : 

“Your Neighbourhood - where you live, work and play. Get to know your neighbourhood better since this is where you belong. “ – HDB, 2010 3. Idealistic Portrayal of the Heartland -HDB “To achieve our mission in building and bridging communities to achieve one people, one Singapore, we initiate and offer a wide range of programmes and services to cater to the needs and interests of Singaporeans from all walks of life.” – People’s Association, 2009

3. Heartland as depicted by Money : 

3. Heartland as depicted by Money

Slide 22: 

3. Multi Racial in Heartland “Singaporeans share a common vision to build a harmonious multi-racial society. While maintaining their own language, culture and customs, they seek to develop a shared identity through common experiences” - Government of Singapore, 2010, via eCitizen Multi Racial in Money

3. State support for the Middle-age and Low-income : 

3. State support for the Middle-age and Low-income Career’s Support Safety to accessibility Housing Finance and legal Employment and Lifelong learning Leisure and voluntereerism Via MCYS and WDA Money for the Middle-aged

“Why do we want to aim higher? Because we want to achieve a better standard of living for all, especially for the lower income citizens.” –PM Lee H S , 2009 : 

“Why do we want to aim higher? Because we want to achieve a better standard of living for all, especially for the lower income citizens.” –PM Lee H S , 2009 “We, the citizens of Singapore,pledge ourselves as one united people,regardless of race, language or religion,to build a democratic societybased on justice and equalityso as to achieve happiness, prosperity andprogress for our nation. “ Singapore Pledge 3. A Singapore Dream

3. One Dimension Singapore : 

3. One Dimension Singapore “They lead ultimately very miserable lives which they enliven by spending money. They don’t have time, they have only money; so they buy themselves a nice car or whatever, but in the end they don’t‘ have the time enjoy these things” Philip Jeyaretnam, Singapore Lawyer, 2006 Maslow's hierarchy of needs

To what extent is Money really about the average Singaporean? : 

To what extent is Money really about the average Singaporean? 2 part 2 To a high extent, considering THE TIME THE MOVIE WAS MADE Specifically the problems faced by the characters in the film

Some things that average Singaporeans do: : 

Some things that average Singaporeans do: Taking advantage of people Chatting in kopitiam 4D!!!

Problems in 1998 : 

Problems in 1998 Need to learn English Insolvency issues Stock Market losses Loan sharks Saving money to send children to university

Need to learn English : 

Need to learn English

Need to learn English : 

Need to learn English

Stock market : 

Stock market

Loan sharks : 

Loan sharks

Saving $$$ to have a better education for their children : 

Saving $$$ to have a better education for their children

Is Money also performing another Singapore but in a different way? If so, how is this performance different? : 

Is Money also performing another Singapore but in a different way? If so, how is this performance different? 2 part 3

Slide 35: 

Money portrayed some elements of “other Singaporeans” in the film, in contrast to, yet interacting with the average Singaporeans. These “Other Singaporeans” include: Loan Sharks Prostitutes Chinese who don’t speak Mandarin 5. Another side of Singapore

5. Contrast : 

5. Contrast The “Other Singaporeans” were portrayed to be vastly different in their ways of life and culture However, similar to the average Singaporeans, they have a common goal/motive MONEY!

5. Interaction : 

5. Interaction Unlike other “other Singaporean” representative films, these supposedly other Singaporeans characters are interacting with and living among the heartland Singaporeans

5. Loan Sharks : 

5. Loan Sharks Living in communal with other citizens, even as good friends with some of them! However, they remained ruthless when it came to debt collection

5. Prostitution : 

5. Prostitution Prostitution was portrayed mysteriously (low key lighting), yet still readily accessible to average Singaporeans

5. Non- Chinese Speaking : 

5. Non- Chinese Speaking In Money, the English-proficient Chinese who do not speak mandarin (Lee & Lee) are despised by their peers They are viewed equivalent to the moral depravity as “Ah Gua / transvestite”. Coincidentally, Jack Neo seems to portray Lee as being less “man” and possibly homosexual.

6. Conclusion : 

6. Conclusion Jack Neo addressed the Chinese Community Raised issues and theme centered around the addressed group Serves as an encouragement film Relates to them

References : 

References