881 Saturday, February 10 |
881 A Royston Tan Film
The bad boy of Singapore cinema is back, with his biggest film project yet, a $1million musical feature film in a joint production between five companies. The talented Singapore director's next film will be set against the colourful and culturally unique backdrop of Chinese 7th month 'getai'.
Singapore, 7 February 2007 – Zhao Wei Films, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), Scorpio East Pictures and Infinite Frameworks (IFW) are proud to announce that they will be collaborating to produce talented Singapore director, Royston Tan's next feature film, 881.
881 tells the story of The Papaya Sisters, played by Mindee Ong (Moulmein High, Birthday) and Yeo Yann Yann (Singapore Dreaming), two childhood friends who grew up mesmerised by the glitter and glamour of 'getai' (song stage). The musical will feature glitzy costumes and lavish choreography, with the actors breaking out often into songs to express their emotions. All the numbers in the film are from the treasure trove of the late Chen Jin Lang, a Singapore 'getai' songwriting legend who passed away in August 2006. MediaCorp artiste Qi Yu Wu (The Peak) and 'getai' veteran Liu Ling Ling will also star in the film.
The director, Mr Royston Tan, comments "881 is my third film and as a director, I have always wanted to surprise people with different ways of storytelling. 881 will be Singapore's first musical film and I hope to bring out the beauty of Hokkien songs and 'getai' through this brand new interpretation. The film will infuse 'getai' elements with modern cutting edge editing style, and let audiences see 'getai' in a different light".
Singapore, 7 February 2007 – Zhao Wei Films, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), Scorpio East Pictures and Infinite Frameworks (IFW) are proud to announce that they will be collaborating to produce talented Singapore director, Royston Tan's next feature film, 881.
881 tells the story of The Papaya Sisters, played by Mindee Ong (Moulmein High, Birthday) and Yeo Yann Yann (Singapore Dreaming), two childhood friends who grew up mesmerised by the glitter and glamour of 'getai' (song stage). The musical will feature glitzy costumes and lavish choreography, with the actors breaking out often into songs to express their emotions. All the numbers in the film are from the treasure trove of the late Chen Jin Lang, a Singapore 'getai' songwriting legend who passed away in August 2006. MediaCorp artiste Qi Yu Wu (The Peak) and 'getai' veteran Liu Ling Ling will also star in the film.
The director, Mr Royston Tan, comments "881 is my third film and as a director, I have always wanted to surprise people with different ways of storytelling. 881 will be Singapore's first musical film and I hope to bring out the beauty of Hokkien songs and 'getai' through this brand new interpretation. The film will infuse 'getai' elements with modern cutting edge editing style, and let audiences see 'getai' in a different light".
The five partners will co-invest in the film, budgeted at around S$1 million, with Eric Khoo's Zhao Wei Films and MediaCorp Raintree Pictures serving as producers. Infinite Frameworks will provide post-production support, including visual effects and design. To be shot on High Definition (HD), the film will be in Mandarin and Hokkien. Production is expected to commence in early March and will be co-distributed by Scorpio East Pictures and Golden Village Pictures in Singapore in the 3rd quarter of 2007 when completed.
Mr Eric Khoo, Director of Zhao Wei Films, comments "I have been a great admirer of Royston's short musical films and it brings me much joy that he is finally making a full length song and dance number, 881!".
"MediaCorp Raintree Pictures has been working with local directors long before we started on our collaborations with regional filmmakers. We have worked with Eric, Jack, and Kelvin among others. Recently we have also started to work with first time directors for regional co-productions. I have always wanted to work with Royston. With this project, we are not only working with Royston for the first time; it is also our first venture into a musical. Besides this genre which is challenging in every aspect of filmmaking, the subject matter is very close to my heart. I hope we can add value to bringing Royston and his movie to a wider audience both within Singapore and to the key global markets. It is also a pleasure to work with Eric Khoo and his team again and we are very happy to have the support of the MDA" says Mr Daniel Yun, Managing Director of MediaCorp Raintree Pictures.
Mr Man Shu Sum, Director of Broadcast and Film Development, MDA, comments "Our collaboration with Zhao Wei Films, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, Scorpio East Pictures and Infinite Frameworks on this significant project is an important step for our local film industry. We are proud to support this film not only because of its unique storyline, but because it celebrates Singapore's identity and promotes local talent. We are delighted to be a part of Singapore's first musical feature film and we believe its story has a wide appeal with potential to garner attention from local and international audiences".
"Scorpio East Pictures is proud to invest – not just in Royston Tan, Singapore's own critically-acclaimed, young and very talented director – but also in Singapore's local film production scene. 881 brings together the best and most experienced from the industry, including award-winning veteran Eric Khoo (Zhao Wei Films) and pioneering movie-maker, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. With them behind this project, Scorpio East Pictures have full confidence that 881 is going to be yet another winner" says Mr John Ho, Chief Executive Officer of Scorpio East Pictures.
Mr Freddie Yeo, General Manager of IFW, comments "Infinite Frameworks (IFW) is proud to once again have the opportunity to collaborate with Zhao Wei Films, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, the MDA, and new partner Scorpio East Pictures for the production of Royston Tan's 881. Shooting on HD format will allow IFW greater flexibility to produce stunning visuals that is synonymous with the glitter and glamour of a 'getai' and we look forward to crafting a visual treat for the audience".
Mr Eric Khoo, Director of Zhao Wei Films, comments "I have been a great admirer of Royston's short musical films and it brings me much joy that he is finally making a full length song and dance number, 881!".
"MediaCorp Raintree Pictures has been working with local directors long before we started on our collaborations with regional filmmakers. We have worked with Eric, Jack, and Kelvin among others. Recently we have also started to work with first time directors for regional co-productions. I have always wanted to work with Royston. With this project, we are not only working with Royston for the first time; it is also our first venture into a musical. Besides this genre which is challenging in every aspect of filmmaking, the subject matter is very close to my heart. I hope we can add value to bringing Royston and his movie to a wider audience both within Singapore and to the key global markets. It is also a pleasure to work with Eric Khoo and his team again and we are very happy to have the support of the MDA" says Mr Daniel Yun, Managing Director of MediaCorp Raintree Pictures.
Mr Man Shu Sum, Director of Broadcast and Film Development, MDA, comments "Our collaboration with Zhao Wei Films, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, Scorpio East Pictures and Infinite Frameworks on this significant project is an important step for our local film industry. We are proud to support this film not only because of its unique storyline, but because it celebrates Singapore's identity and promotes local talent. We are delighted to be a part of Singapore's first musical feature film and we believe its story has a wide appeal with potential to garner attention from local and international audiences".
"Scorpio East Pictures is proud to invest – not just in Royston Tan, Singapore's own critically-acclaimed, young and very talented director – but also in Singapore's local film production scene. 881 brings together the best and most experienced from the industry, including award-winning veteran Eric Khoo (Zhao Wei Films) and pioneering movie-maker, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. With them behind this project, Scorpio East Pictures have full confidence that 881 is going to be yet another winner" says Mr John Ho, Chief Executive Officer of Scorpio East Pictures.
Mr Freddie Yeo, General Manager of IFW, comments "Infinite Frameworks (IFW) is proud to once again have the opportunity to collaborate with Zhao Wei Films, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, the MDA, and new partner Scorpio East Pictures for the production of Royston Tan's 881. Shooting on HD format will allow IFW greater flexibility to produce stunning visuals that is synonymous with the glitter and glamour of a 'getai' and we look forward to crafting a visual treat for the audience".
