Earlier this year, we mentioned the Civic Life project which explores the ideas of memory, place, belonging and community through film and writing. A short film, TIONG BAHRU, has been shot with a cast of 150 volunteers from Singapore and directed by UK-based filmmakers Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor.
In conjunction with this pioneering film, the online 90-second film competition, WHERE THE HEART IS, just concluded and the the huge number of entries received by the organisers has put the notion that Singaporeans are not interested in the arts to shame. The organisers reveal that they have been highly impressed by the quality and breadth of the entries received. The competition required the making of a film which conveys an emotional response to a place (or a concept of place) and filmmakers have taken that concept in very different, very personal and very interesting directions. The resulting films give a fascinating impression of both the physical geography of Singapore, while also providing insights into its emotional landscape.