www.titianbudayasg.

com

PRESENTED BY

www.gsc.com.my

CONCEPTUALISED
AND PRODUCED BY

VENUE PARTNER

@titianbudayasg

PROGRAMME PARTNERS

#titianbudayasg

SUPPORTED BY

IN CELEBRATION OF

CELEBRA T IN G 5 0 YEA RS O F
S IN GA PORE-M A LA YS IA F RIEN D S HIP

PRESENTED BY

CONCEPTUALISED AND
PRODUCED BY

PROGRAMME PARTNERS

SUPPORTED BY

IN CELEBRATION OF

ABOUT THE SINGAPORE FILM FESTIVAL

COME JOIN US at the first-ever Singapore Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur,
the finale programme of the Titian Budaya cultural season celebrating
50 years of friendship between Singapore and Malaysia.
Presenting 10 feature films from the late 90s to the present, the festival opens
with the Malaysian premiere of 7 Letters (2015). An omnibus of short films
by seven of Singapores most illustrious filmmakers, 7 Letters tells each
directors heartfelt love letter to home; many of which capture
Singaporeans personal and poignant connections with Malaysia.
Look out for other landmark Singapore films including Eric Khoos seminal
work 12 Storeys (1997) featuring Jack Neo in a domestic tale of heartland
living unfolding within 24 hours; the critically acclaimed Ilo Ilo (2013) by
Anthony Chen which won the prestigious Cannes Camera dOr and Golden
Horse Best Picture awards; and Sayang Disayang (2014) by Sanif Olek,
a rare Malay-language musical film celebrating the beauty and grace of the
Nusantara and starring Malaysian veteran actor Dato Rahim Razali.
The supernatural thriller genre takes centrestage in Lee Thean-Jeens
Bring Back the Dead (2015) and Ms J Contemplates Her Choice (2014)
by Jason Lai starring singer Kit Chan. In Banting (2014), Faeryville (2015),
and Innocents (2012), emerging filmmakers explore aspirations, youth angst
and coming-of-age with their signature trademark aesthetic. Rounding up
the festival line-up, Lei Yuan Bins documentary feature, 03-Flats (2014),
brings us into the lives of three single women living within Singapores
public housing landscape.
Finally, get up close and personal with Singapore filmmakers in
post-screening Q&A sessions with Royston Tan and Sanif Olek. For curious
enthusiasts and film buffs, do join us at the public forum Cross-Causeway
Cinema: Opportunities & Challenges where Royston and Sanif will engage
their Malaysian counterparts Dain Said and Liew Seng Tat in a lively
discussion sharing their industry experiences and anecdotes.

2015 | 116 MIN | SHORT FILMS/DRAMA | P13

7 LETTERS

MALAYSIAN PREMIERE
Cinema by Eric Khoo
Eric Khoo pays tribute to the Golden Age of Malay
cinema in Singapore.

An emotive anthology
by seven of
Singapore's most
illustrious filmmakers,
celebrating the
countrys 50th year of
independence
through the lives
and stories of
Singaporeans. Each
letter is intricately
interwoven with
memories,
14 Jan, Thu | 8:30pm | GSC Pavilion KL | By invitation only
14 Jan, Thu | 9:30pm | GSC Pavilion KL
16 Jan, Sat | 6:30pm | GSC 1 Utama | Post-screening Q&A with Director Royston Tan

experiences, joys and

woes. They are
honest, sincere and
unembellished. Yet
through them all, the

DIRECTORS

Boo Junfeng, Eric Khoo, K Rajagopal, Jack Neo, Tan Pin Pin,
Royston Tan, Kelvin Tong

theme of home

CAST

Faizal Abdullah, Hong Hui Fang, Lim Poh Huat, Lydia Look

threads through.

LANGUAGE

English, Malay, Hokkien, Mandarin, Malayalam | With English subtitles

That Girl by Jack Neo

A heartwarming story about first loves set in
a kampung.
The Flame by K Rajagopal
A very personal story about Rajagopals parents
life-changing decision to stay in Singapore
following the British withdrawal from the newly
independent country.
Bunga Sayang by Royston Tan
A profusion of nostalgia and a mini-musical
extravaganza draped around a boy (Ray Tan Liang
Yu) and his upstairs kueh-making makcik
neighbour (J. Rosmini).
Pineapple Town by Tan Pin Pin
Ning (Lydia Look) is adamant on meeting the
birth mother of her adopted daughter, a search
that takes her to a small town in Malaysia.
Parting by Boo Junfeng
A film that delves into themes of history,
memory and aging. Ismail (J.A. Halim) travels back
to Singapore by train from Malaysia in search of
lost love.
Grandma Positioning System (GPS)
by Kelvin Tong
A heartwarming story on historical consciousness,
family traditions and shared memories, it depicts
the story of a young boy who travels with his
family to Johor each year during Qing Ming to
pay respects to his late grandfather.

2014 | 90 MIN | DOCUMENTARY | P13

03-FLATS

MALAYSIAN PREMIERE

14 Jan, Thu | 7pm | GSC 1 Utama

16 Jan, Sat | 2pm | GSC Pavilion KL
DIRECTOR

Lei Yuan Bin

CAST

Mdm Sim Boon Ngoh, Ms. Tashiana, Tang Ling Nah

LANGUAGE

English, Mandarin, Malay | With English subtitles

Singapores public housing programme, an inclusive space that prioritizes families

and intergenerational living, is arguably the most successful in the world. Amidst this
backdrop, 03-Flats follows the domestic experiences of three single women who are
at different stages of their lives. Looking from within each flat, the film moves
between the womens distinctively lived interiors and the ordered public spaces
beyond. It records how domestic resilience might resist the ennui of mass housing,
turning housing into home.
AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
Busan International Film Festival 2014 - Wide Angle Documentary Competition
6th Seoul International Architecture Film Festival
Salaya International Documentary Film Festival 2015
- Best ASEAN Documentary Award
Singapore International Film Festival 2014 - Singapore Panorama
Singapore Chinese Film Festival 2015

1997 | 105 MIN | DRAMA | P13

12 STOREYS

16 Jan, Sat | 2pm

| GSC 1 Utama
17 Jan, Sun | 6:10pm | GSC Pavilion KL
DIRECTOR

Eric Khoo

CAST

Jack Neo, Koh Boon Pin, Quan Yi Feng, Lum May Yee

LANGUAGE

English, Mandarin, Tagalog, Hokkien, Cantonese, Malay

With English subtitles

The film depicts a day in a HDB block of residential flats in Singapore with all the
action occurring within a 24-hour period. There are essentially three main storylines:
Ah Gu (Jack Neo), a middle-aged man has brought home a pretty young wife from
China (Quan Yifeng), but he has to cope with her overly high expectations, and hence
increasing frustration and disappointment with life in Singapore.
San San (Lucilla Teoh) lives alone with only suicide on her mind. A meeting with the
daughter of her mothers former employer, Rachel (Neo Swee Lin) acts as a trigger
for an outpouring of sadness.
Sisters Keeper - with parents away, upright but overbearing eldest brother Meng
(Koh Boon Pin) takes the opportunity to lord it over his rebellious younger sister,
Trixie (Lum May Yee) and little brother Tee (Roderick Lim). Mengs persistent interest
in Trixies personal life leads to first, an interrogation, then an argument, and
ultimately something far more explosive.
AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
17th Hawaii International Film Festival - Golden Maile Award (Best Film)
10th Singapore International Film Festival NETPAC FIPRESCI Critics Prize
50th Cannes Film Festival
2nd Pusan International Film Festival
7

2014 | 110 MIN | COMEDY/DRAMA | P13

BANTING

15 Jan, Fri
16 Jan, Sat

| 9:50pm | GSC 1 Utama

| 7pm
| GSC Pavilion KL

DIRECTOR

Raihan Halim

CAST

Adlina Adil, Mastura Ahmad, Ashley Chan

LANGUAGE

Malay | With English, Chinese, Malay subtitles

Raised in a strict Muslim household, a young woman in hijab finds the missing passion
in her life when she begins to secretly take professional wrestling lessons. But when
her secret is threatened to be revealed, she will have to clothesline, pile-drive, and
slam her way through to keep her dream going and realise what shes really meant to
do in life!

2015 | 86 MIN | HORROR/DRAMA | P13

BRING BACK THE DEAD

16 Jan, Sat
17 Jan, Sun

| 9:30pm | GSC Pavilion KL

| 6pm
| GSC 1 Utama

DIRECTOR

Lee Thean-Jeen

CAST

Jessica Liu, Liu Ling Ling, Chiang Wei-Wen

LANGUAGE

Mandarin | With English, Chinese subtitles

When her seven-year-old son dies in a tragic road accident, a grieving mother
(Jessica Liu), with the help of her former caregiver, Mdm Seetoh (Liu Ling Ling),
resorts to supernatural forces to bring back his soul so he can be by her side
at home.
However, after several strange and even deadly occurrences in the house, she begins
to suspect that there is something amiss with the soul she has brought back. In
discovering what has really happened, she unravels the horrific truth a truth which
may cost her life and the lives of those around her.

2015 | 95 MIN | ACTION/DRAMA | 18

FAERYVILLE

MALAYSIAN PREMIERE

15 Jan, Fri | 9pm | GSC Pavilion KL

17 Jan, Sun | 4pm | GSC 1 Utama
DIRECTOR

Tzang Merwyn Tong

CAST

Lyon Sim, Aaron Samuel Yong, Tanya Graham

LANGUAGE

English

Set in an alternate universe, in a college called Faeryville, a group of teenage misfits

struggle to find themselves and make sense of their teenhood. They decide that
there is no reason in trying to fit in, and fashioned themselves as pranksters,
calling themselves The Nobodies. Now, whats their plan? Frankly, they have no
idea, until Laer, a transfer student, joins them and takes them on a path of anarchy
and self-discovery.
Faeryville is a dystopian teen movie, a stylish coming of age film about youth
making sense of their idealistic dreams in our increasingly surreal world - a fictional
manifestation of very real issues prevalent in the post 9/11 world.

10

2013 | 99 MIN | DRAMA | P13

ILO ILO

16 Jan, Sat | 4:15pm | GSC 1 Utama

17 Jan, Sun | 4pm
| GSC Pavilion KL
DIRECTOR

Anthony Chen

CAST

Yeo Yann Yann, Chen Tian Wen, Angeli Bayani, Koh Jia Ler

LANGUAGE

Mandarin, Tagalog, English, Hokkien | With English subtitles

Set in Singapore, Ilo Ilo is a portrait of a middle-class Singaporean familys struggle

with financial, domestic and personal issues during the economic crisis of the late
90s. The film chronicles the relationship between a family of three and their newly
arrived Filipino maid, Teresa, who has come like many other Filipino women in search
of a better life.
AWARDS
Yeo Yann Yann, Best Supporting Actress, Asia-Pacific Film Festival 2013
Anthony Chen, Camera dOr, Cannes Film Festival 2013
Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best New Director and
Best Film, 2013 Golden Horse Awards
Sutherland Prize for the Best First Film, 2013 London Film Festival

11

2012 | 88 MIN | DRAMA/MYSTERY | P13

INNOCENTS

16 Jan, Sat | 9:50pm | GSC 1 Utama

17 Jan, Sun | 2pm
| GSC Pavilion KL
DIRECTOR

Chen-Hsi Wong

CAST

Nameera Ashley, Cai Chengyue, Norhanisah

LANGUAGE

English, Malay | With English subtitles

In the monsoon season of 80s Singapore, 11-year-old Syafiqah enters a new school
where she befriends an ostracized boy, Huat. Misunderstood and bullied, they while
away the afternoons in the giant storm drains behind their school, carving out a
fragile world of fantasy. But as the rains intensify, a vow of secrecy forces her to
embark on a quest of independence well beyond her years. With its sensitive imagery
and honest performances, this delicate coming-of-age film recalls memories of
childhood within a swiftly evolving city-state.
AWARDS
Best Screenplay, AISGE Award, Ourense Independent Film Festival 2013
Best Director, Asian New Talent Awards, Shanghai International Film Festival 2013
Graine de Cinephage, Films de Femmes Creteil 2014
SUPPORTED BY

12

2014 | 88 MIN | THRILLER/DRAMA | P13

MS J CONTEMPLATES HER CHOICE

MALAYSIAN PREMIERE

15 Jan, Fri | 7pm | GSC Pavilion KL

17 Jan, Sun | 2pm | GSC 1 Utama
DIRECTOR

Jason Lai

CAST

Kit Chan, Xiang Yun, Bobby Tonelli

LANGUAGE

English, Chinese, Teochew, Sinhalese | With English subtitles

A woman wakes up one morning and finds herself under pressure to make three
decisions that will change her life. Jo Yang, a celebrity radio guest, receives a phone
call while on air that sets in motion a series of events that threaten her life and her
family. Forced to choose between saving two people, her choice is confronted by
public outcry. This film is loosely inspired by real-life events in Singapore, and
explores how it is more choice rather than chance that shapes our lives.

13

2014 | 80 MIN | MUSICAL/DRAMA | P13

SAYANG DISAYANG

15 Jan, Fri | 7pm | GSC 1 Utama

16 Jan, Sat | 4pm | GSC Pavilion KL
Q&A after both screenings
with Director Sanif Olek
DIRECTOR

Sanif Olek

CAST

Aidli Mosbit, Dato Rahim Razali,

Asnida Daud, Hashimah Hamidon

LANGUAGE

Malay, Bahasa Indonesian

With English subtitles

Murni is a live-in nurse who works for Pak Harun, a lonely and bitter elderly man who
continually harangues his caregiver. Murni is in a dilemma to cook sambal goreng
exactly like the mans late wife, but success seems to elude her. Despite this, Murni
also loves to sing in the kitchen, irritating Pak Harun further. What is the elusive
ingredient to unlock the tension between Murni and Pak Harun, to remedy their
broken hearts and bring them together to sing the same tune?
AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
Singapore's entry to the 2015 Academy for Best Foreign Language Film
Best Asian Film (Jury Prize) - SalaMindanaw International Film Festival 2013
Best Musical - Mexico International Film Festival 2014
Best Cinematography & Story at World Film Awards 2014 (Indonesia)
Opening Film at Phnom Penh International Film Festival 2014
Closing Film at Southeast Asian Film Festival 2014 (Singapore)
Official Finalist at Barcelona International Film Festival 2014 (Spain)
Official Selection at Mosaic World Film Festival 2014 (USA)

14

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
GSC PAVILION KL
Lot C5.02 (Level 5) and Lot C6.01 (Level 6),
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, No. 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
14 Jan, Thu

| 8:30pm
| 9:30pm

|
|

7 Letters (by invitation only)

7 Letters

15 Jan, Fri

| 7pm
| 9pm

|
|

Ms J Contemplates Her Choice

Faeryville

16 Jan, Sat

|
|

2pm
4pm

|
|

|
|

7pm
9:30pm

|
|

03-Flats
Sayang Disayang
Post-screening Q&A with Director Sanif Olek
Banting
Bring Back the Dead

|
|
|

2pm
4pm
6:10pm

|
|
|

Innoents
Ilo Ilo
12 Storeys

17 Jan, Sun

GSC 1 UTAMA

14 Jan, Thu

| 7pm

03-Flats

15 Jan, Fri

7pm

| 9:50pm

Sayang Disayang
Post-screening Q&A with Director Sanif Olek
Banting

|
|
|

2pm
4:15pm
6:30pm

|
|
|

9:50pm

12 Storeys
Ilo Ilo
7 Letters
Post-screening Q&A with Director Royston Tan
Innocents

|
|
|

2pm
4pm
6pm

|
|
|

Ms J Contemplates Her Choice

Faeryville
Bring Back the Dead

16 Jan, Sat

17 Jan, Sun

Programme correct at time of printing.

Lot E403 (Level 4), 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama,
Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya

TICKETING INFORMATION
All tickets are at RM8 and will be released for sale 2 days prior to each screening
on www.gsc.com.my, GSC mobile apps and at GSC Pavilion KL and GSC 1 Utama
ticketing counters.
Please visit www.gsc.com.my or www.titianbudayasg.com for more information.
For queries, please email to contact@titianbudayasg.com
15

PUBLIC FORUM
CROSS-CAUSEWAY CINEMA: OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
16 Jan, Sat | 2pm | Auditorium, Content Malaysia Pitching Centre
Unit G09 & G10, Platinum Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Free Admission | Please register at https://goo.gl/n6LBqz.
Over the years, many Singapore films have found distribution in Malaysia.
Likewise, many Malaysian filmmakers have participated in film festivals and events
held in Singapore. Does our shared heritage and languages provide more
opportunities for our films to cross over with ease? What are the challenges facing
Singaporean and Malaysian filmmakers in trying to reach out to audiences across
the causeway? Let's hear it from veteran filmmakers Dain Said, Liew Seng Tat,
Royston Tan and Sanif Olek as they share their insights and experiences.
This forum will be moderated by Amir Muhammad.

LIEW SENG TAT (Malaysia)

Liew Seng Tat emerged as a young filmmaker with an
unique comedic voice. His debut feature Flower in the
Pocket (2007) won multiple awards in international film
festivals including the New Currents award from Busan
and the Tiger Award from Rotterdam. He founded
Everything Films in 2011 and is actively involved in the
Malaysian independent film industry, working as a director
and producer. His next film project, The Girl with No Head,
is a drama-comedy currently in script development.

Supported by

AMIR MUHAMMAD (Malaysia)

Amir Muhammads films include the documentaries
The Big Durian (2003), The Last Communist (2006)
and Village People Radio Show (2007). They have been
shown in several international film festivals including
Sundance, Berlin and Pusan. He is also a book publisher
and is the founder of Buku Fixi in 2011, which has
published over 100 novels in its first 4 years.

DAIN SAID (Malaysia)

Dain Iskandar Said has been working with images for
the last 25 to 30 years. He has made 2 feature films:
the first Dukun (2007) was never released while the
second Bunohan (2012) went on to win international
acclaim. Dain has also collaborated with artists on
video installations, and showcased his works at the
Sydney Biennale and Burj Al Arab. He is currently
finishing his next film titled Interchange which will
be released in 2016.

16

ROYSTON TAN (Singapore)

An award-winning filmmaker, Royston Tan is known for
his distinctive knack for cinematic narrative, original
directorial style and an innate ability to connect with
his audience. Besides his extensive list of short films,
Tan has been recognised for his feature films such as
15 (2003), 4:30 (2006), 881 (2007) and 12 Lotus
(2008), collecting over 60 international and local film
awards for his works. Tans latest feature film, 3688
was released in 2015.

SANIF OLEK (Singapore)

Sanif Olek is one of Singapores most accomplished
and versatile television and film directors. Since 1996,
he has consistently received multiple Best Director,
Best Drama Series, Best Magazine Series awards and
nominations for his work in television. His short films
have won prizes internationally and been showcased
at major film festivals, art institutions and museums,
namely Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) New York,
Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of
Singapore. His debut feature, Sayang Disayang (2014)
was Singapores entry to the 2015 Academy Awards
for Best Foreign Language Film.

17

About Titian Budaya

Titian Budaya commemorates 50 years of friendship between Singapore and
Malaysia. It is presented by Singapores Ministry of Culture, Community and
Youth (MCCY) and supported by Malaysias Ministry of Tourism and Culture
(MOTAC). Showcasing creative talents from both countries, it is an opportunity
for Malaysians to appreciate and enjoy the shared culture and heritage of
Singapore and Malaysia.
www.titianbudayasg.com

About Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth,

Singapore
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) seeks to inspire
Singaporeans through the arts and sports, strengthen community bonds, and
promote volunteerism and philanthropy. Since its inception in November 2012,
MCCY has been actively engaging the arts, heritage, sports, community and
youth sectors. The Ministry aims to bring into sharper focus the efforts to build
a more cohesive and vibrant society, and to deepen a sense of identity and
belonging to the nation. MCCY will work with its stakeholders to create an
environment where Singaporeans can pursue their aspirations for a better
quality of life and together, build a gracious and caring society we are proud to
call home.
www.mccy.gov.sg

18

About CultureLink Singapore

Founded and led by Goh Ching Lee, former director of the Singapore Arts
Festival (1999-2009) and creative producer of Titian Budaya, CultureLink is a
Singapore-based arts consulting and management agency engaging with
creative content, artist tours, festivals and events, international cultural
exchange, professional development, and cultural research on the global stage.
CultureLink collaborates with a wide range of cultural, educational and
government organisations to produce bespoke quality programmes, events,
tours, linkages and propositions in Singapore and beyond.
Valued for its wide network and empathy towards diverse disciplines and
cultural environments, CultureLink has within a short period of time built a
credible clientele among important innovative artists, companies, festivals, and
institutions hailing from recognized cultural capitals to new emerging markets
and territories.
www.culturelink.com.sg

About Singapore Film Society

For more than 50 years, the Singapore Film Society has been conceptualizing,
sourcing, programming, marketing and managing a year-round line-up of
quality film screenings and film festivals.
We became the first film society in the world to be based in a state-of-the-art,
city-centre multiplex when we moved into Golden Village (GV) Marina in 1996.
After 18 wonderful years of being based there with our GV friends, we relocated
with them in 2014 to Suntec City where we now have both our base screening
venue and new office.
Led by Chairman Kenneth Tan who has over 30 years' industry experience, our
enthusiastic and highly experienced team can conceptualize, create, and
maximize the impact of any cinema-related event, big or small.
www.sfs.org.sg

19

www.titianbudayasg.com

PRESENTED BY

www.gsc.com.my

CONCEPTUALISED
AND PRODUCED BY

VENUE PARTNER

@titianbudayasg

PROGRAMME PARTNERS

#titianbudayasg

SUPPORTED BY

IN CELEBRATION OF

CELEBRA T IN G 5 0 YEA RS O F
S IN GA PORE-M A LA YS IA F RIEN D S HIP