Date: 16th Jan 2007
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Possibility Room, 5th level, National Library, 100 Victoria Street

A true independent filmmaker, Mr Gour has been using his savings to make 16mm films in the 60-70s. His films had been screened in overseas film festivals such as the London Film Festival (1965). In the early 80s, he made an appeal for funding to preserve his films. By early 2000, he had to throw away his earlier films as they are rotting too badly. We made a timely intervention and were still able to preserve some existing ones.

In conjunction with Asian Film Archive’s second anniversary, we would be screening two of his films.

Labour of Love – The Housewife (1974) was a bronze medal winner at the 50th American International Film Festival. This short film examines the role of the Asian woman within the realm of the home and the family, in particular the role of the housewife. The film is an early feminist take at the misconception of the non-economic value of the stay-at-home mother and wife, whose contribution to society is often underrated.

Sunshine Singapore (1968-1972), a silent experimental short film, features the sights of sunny Singapore set to music. The film captures the hopes of the young filmmaker and beauty of a young nation tempered by the familiarity of daily life.

Mr Rajendra Gour would be present at the screening and we would love to have you join us to honour a pioneering filmmaker amongst us.