There will be six short films screened for Selection 4 of Singapore Shorts ‘21.

The Rating for Selection 4 is 

Wallflowers in the Parade
Directed by: Tan Jit Jenn
Runtime: 17 minutes 58 seconds
Country: Singapore
Language: English, Mandarin
Rating: M18 (Mature content)

WORLD PREMIERE

Synopsis
A filmic prayer from a Jehovah’s Witness couple to their only son, about his move into prison in a few day’s time as he defers conscription. The film also touches on photographs and interviews with past Jehovah’s Witness men who were imprisoned.

About the Director
Often referencing the Sixth-generation Chinese filmmakers, Tan Jit Jenn captures ordinary life through a minimalist lens, with critiques on social, political and cultural issues surrounding the marginalized, evoking empathy through storytelling.
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Jiran Sekampung (Village Neighbours)
Directed by: Toh Hun Ping
Runtime: 6 minutes
Country: Singapore
Language: English, Cantonese, Bengali, Dutch, French, German
Rating: PG

Synopsis
Singapore and its evolving village neighbours, in strings of place names spoken or sung on film, spanning seven decades of the 20th century. This found footage film is named after a similarly-titled 1966 Malay-language Cathay-Keris feature movie produced in Singapore and directed by Hussain Haniff.

About the Director
Toh Hun Ping is a video artist and film researcher investigating the history of film production in 20th century Singapore. He also founded the Singapore Film Locations Archive, and runs sgfilmlocations.com.

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A stinging feeling on my neck
Directed by: Lai Yu Tong
Runtime: 12 minutes 16 seconds
Country: Singapore, Hong Kong
Language: Mandarin
Rating: PG13 (Some mature content)

Synopsis
On a research grant in 2019, Lai Yu Tong travelled to Hong Kong amidst its year-long anti-government protest movement, with only his phone, some money, and barely any luggage. The film serves as a meditation on the incredible and the political by way of the minimal and the mundane.

About the Director
Singaporean artist Lai Yu Tong works mainly with images. He makes works about the things he sees, things he buys, things he eats, things he uses, things he throws away, and other things.

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Here is Not There
Original Title: 这里不是那里
Directed by: Nelson Yeo
Runtime: 12 minutes 16 seconds
Country: Singapore, Hong Kong
Language: Mandarin
Rating: PG13 (Some mature content)

Synopsis
Xun, a migrant worker, finds out that she’s pregnant with the child of her co-worker, Chong and their fates are altered forever.

About the Director
Nelson Yeo is a Singaporean filmmaker. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking from Nanyang Technological University in 2011. He is currently working on his debut feature film, The Drought.

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Hampshire Road
Directed by: Ting Min-Wei
Runtime: 7 minutes
Country: Singapore
Language: No Dialogue
Rating: G

ASIAN PREMIERE

Synopsis
With one take, the camera traverses the exterior of a single structure in Singapore, to see how space is constructed and used to monitor and channel migrant workers onto buses back to dormitories. The space was busy every Sunday until the pandemic hit, though at present stands empty and unused.

About the Director
Ting Min-Wei’s films are gestures in protracted observation and movement. By exploring landscapes, he unearths natural and man-made phenomena, human and non-human existence, and the complex tangle of people with the state and the land.

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Escape Velocity IV
Directed by: Zai Tang
Runtime: 7 minutes 50 seconds
Country: Singapore
Language: No Dialogue
Rating: Exempted

Synopsis
What does it mean to listen to nature in a time of ecological crisis? The film visualises the soundscapes of Mandai’s wildlife-rich habitats under threat of redevelopment. Once abstracted and animated, these sonorities explore notions of awareness and connectivity between human and nature. Created alongside animator Simon Ball.

About the Director
Zai Tang is a multidisciplinary artist based in Singapore. Drawing influence from acoustic ecology, phenomenology, and electronic & experimental music, his practise is built upon a belief that listening is an invaluable means of attuning to and forming deeper relationships with the world/s we inhabit.

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If you have any trouble purchasing your tickets, please contact us at ticketing@asianfilmarchive.org

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Important Notice:
Do note that Oldham Theatre does not play ads and screenings will start promptly. Arrive early so as not to disrupt the screenings. All patrons are encouraged to purchase your tickets online to be able to secure a seat. Seats are limited due to social distancing regulations. If you choose to purchase tickets or merchandise at Oldham Theatre’s box office, cashless payment is preferred.

Measures will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all patrons at Oldham Theatre. This includes wearing a mask at all times for both staff and patrons, temperature taking, SafeEntry logging and observance of social distancing around the theatre. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime, so arrive early to register, take your temperature and find a seat.

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T&Cs
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