The government announced a few days ago that MDA would be setting aside $230M for films. By Hollywood standards, this amount may not seem a lot, but here in Singapore, its huge.
If we set aside $1M for one movie, we are looking at potentially 230 movies. Which is more than the total number of movies we have produced to date.
But for years, our local industry has done more collaborations with overseas productions rather than concentrating on making definitive local movies. The reasons for this trend, as told to me by a few filmmakers, is the perceived “international” or “regional” appeal one would get from making these “rojak” movies.
I have never agreed with this view. But I’ve always felt I was one of the very few who oppose this view.
So I was really heartened to read what Ms Robyn wrote here. These are some of the points she raised :
Because Singapore is unique in so many ways, and that uniqueness cannot be adequately addresses by overseas international media productions.
Although there are a plethora of television series, documentaries and movies available out there, many of them deal with topics not critical in Singapore, or feature a style of humour alien this country.
It makes far more sense to utilise the amazing talent in Singapore, to nurture it and help it to grow. A new generation of actors, writers, poets and artists is already here. If we want them to fulfil their potential we have to show them that there is a future for such talent.
Now if only the powers that be can share her views. Then it will truly be exciting times for the local film industry.
And of course, hopefully, more work for me. 😀
Great blog!!! Very informative and inciteful. Excellent!!!