881
2007
www.zhaowei.com/881 RELEASE DATE RUNNING TIME RATING GENRE LANGUAGE CHINESE TITLE WEBSITE PUBLICITY AUGUST 2007 105min PG MUSICAL / DRAMA MANDARIN & HOKKIEN 881 www.zhaowei.com/881 SONG TING DID: +65 6349 2921 EMAIL: songting@goldenvillage.com.sg
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION THE PREMISE
The Seventh Month. The only month in the Chinese lunar Calendar when the Gates of Hades are thrown open, and ghosts, spirits and all departed souls make their annual pilgrimage back into the land of the living. In the seventh month, Chinese folks in places like Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong burn incense and joss sticks, conduct prayers and make offerings to the returning dead. In Singapore, however, they take the business of placating and entertaining the spirits one step further. They have "getai" (song stage), makeshift concerts which pop up all over the island. Each year, more than 500 of these concerts take place during the Hungry Ghosts Month. Entertainers lined up include comedians, magicians, opera performers and singers with garish costumes and even more elaborate dance choreography. Royston Tan's new movie 881 unfolds against this unique cultural backdrop in Singapore. It is the story of two childhood friends who grew up mesmerised by the glitter and glamour of getai. They are The Papaya Sisters, two of the showiest performers on the circuit because the "song stage" with all its pomp and pageantry is a respite from the emptiness and dreariness of their own lives. 881 will mark yet another breakthrough for Royston, whose first feature film 15 is a visceral and gritty look at teenage delinquents. His second film 4.30 - about a latchkey kid and his Korean tenant - surprised audiences with its pared down, meditative and almost lyrical storytelling. This new film is a musical, with glitzy costumes and lavish choreography. The actors often break into song to express their emotions. All the numbers in the movie are from the treasure trove of the late Chen Jin lang, a Singapore getai songwriting legend who died in August 2006. A cross between Dancer In the Dark and Moulin Rouge, 881 will also feature documentary-style (ie "live") footage which captures the fever and excitement of actual getai performances.
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SYNOPSIS
Two girls, one dream. Little Papaya and Big Papaya grow up idolizing Chen Jin Lang, the King of Hokkien Getai, and dream of becoming Getai singers themselves. Their heart wrenching story is related by their introspective but highly sensitive friend and driver, Guan Yin.
Coached by their seamstress Ling Yi (Aunt Ling), the Papaya sisters struggle at first because they have no “feel” in their voices. As a last resort, they appeal to Aunt Ling‟s estranged twin sister, the Goddess of Getai, for help. She grants them their wish, but warns them the price will be high, especially if they do not obey the rules of Getai. Rule number 5 states that they shall not love or be loved by any man.
The Papaya sisters hit the getai circuit and sing their hearts out with their newfound “feel”. Big Papaya is pursuing her dream in spite of strong parental objections. Little Papaya, being an orphan, is in a personal race against time to realize her potential. Like her deceased parents, Little Papaya suffers from cancer and has little time left. Through their perseverance, hard work and Aunt Ling‟s amazing costumes, the Papayas become the most popular sister act in town. They use their fame to help raise funds to help Chen Jin Lang, who is suffering from cancer. But they are soon devastated by the death of their idol, Chen Jin Lang. While Little Papaya grieves, Big Papaya finds solace in the arms of Guan Yin.
Unknown to them, rival sister group Durian Sisters have become intensely jealous of the Papayas' success, and are determined to trip them up by messing up their schedule. With the help of their gangster Godfather, the Durians succeed in shutting the Papayas out of many getai. They are ruthless in their underhand attacks on the Papayas, using magical darts to hurt their rivals. Guan Yin cannot defend them, and even the Goddess is appalled by the tactics employed by the Durians. Although she grants the Papayas whatever celestial powers she can bestow, she warns them that there is a limit to what she can do.
At a confrontation, the Durians challenge the Papayas to a showdown. The stakes are high: whoever loses will leave the getai scene for good. The Papayas accept, and start preparing for the big day – new costumes, new songs, new dances. The movie climaxes with a dramatic musical battle. Both sides pull out all the stops to win over the audience, at first with their musical numbers. But as the fight becomes more intense, the Durians attack with their laser darts and the Papayas retaliate with their celestial powers. Who will triumph? Watch Royston Tan‟s 881!
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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Royston Tan has been heralded as Singapore's most promising young filmmaker and the cult icon for Singapore. Known for his distinctive knack for cinematic narrative, original directorial style and an innate ability to connect with his audience, He has collected over 50 international and local film awards for his short films, documentaries and recently his feature film. In 2001, he was conferred ASEAN Director of the Year. In 2002, the Singapore National Arts Council named him Young Artist of the Year.
In 2003, Netpac Jury has recognized Royston Tan as the Asia most promising Talents.
Tan's first full-length feature film “15” which he extended from his award winning short charts the misadventures of teenagers on the fringe of Singaporean society. Acted by real street kids, it reveals the gritty side of modern-day Singapore life that many never knew existed. Displaying a masterfully visual eye and impressive technical competence, the young director jolts the audience's complacency with images so brutal, they hurt.
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“15 won the Netpac Fipresci World critic award at the 16 Singapore international film festival, it broke the festival‟s record as the fastest selling local film in the history of the festival. “15” is also the first ever Singaporean Film to be invited to be in competition in Venice for the “Lion of the Future Award and is also the winner of Deauville Asian Film Festival –Special Jury Award and Best Director award for Buenos Aires VI Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente.
In 2004, Royston Tan was conferred the title “Top 20 Asian Heroes” by Time Magazine for being bold, brave and remarkable in his field. Tan's willingness to push the creative envelope has made him a hero to the city's independent artists.
A filmmaker with a huge cult following around the world, his retrospective show “0104”, a showcase featuring all his award winning short films over the last 10 years have traveled to ICA London, Chicago, Japan and Singapore with overwhelming sold out response in 2005, Royston Tan‟s second feature film “4:30” becomes the first Singapore film to be funded and co-produced by NHK Japan.
In 2006, Royston Tan “4:30 was chosen as the first domestic pic to close the Singapore International film festival. A Royston Tan Film tribute was also presented at 47th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece. 4
On 22
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June 2006, Royston was the first Asian inducted into the “Raymond Weil Hall Of Fame” to recognize
Royston‟s contribution and dedication to the local art scene, joining some of the distinguished and talented celebrities like Charlize Theron, Janet Jackson and Il Divo. It also won majors awards at the Hawaii Film Festival, Rome Asian Film Festival and Slovakia Film Festival in 2006.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
The film started as a joke between Yen Yen, Mindee and me, when we wondered what was Uniquely Singapore, and came up with Getai as an answer. As we riffed on this joke, a storyline began to take shape in my head, and when I went home that night, I knew I had to write down the outline – it poured out in one sitting. So unlike my other films, I guess you can say “881” was relatively smooth and painless to give birth to. I‟ve witnessed the evolution of Getai culture in Singapore, from the time I was a kid, when I‟d go on family outings to watch Getai performances every Hungry Ghost Festival, to my young adult years, when I‟d Getai-hop with friends, because we like the colourful lights and fanciful costumes so much. Through this film, I seek to capture the distinctive flavour of Singapore‟s Getai, as well as preserve on celluloid some of my favourite songs from the classic Getai repertoire. As a Hokkien boy, I must add that I have a special fondness for the dialect, which I think is an indispensable part of my heritage, and hope young film-goers will hear its beauty in the songs‟ lyrics. I also hope you will have as much fun watching this film as I had making it.
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DIRECTOR’S FILMOGRAPHY
Feature Films 881 (2007) 4:30 (2006) 15 - the feature (2003) Television Commercials Short Films DIY (2005) Monkey Love (2005) New York Girl (2005) Careless Whisperer (2005) The Absentee (2004) Old Parliament House (2004) Capitol Cinema (2004) Blind (2004) Cut (2004) 177155 (2003) The Old Man and the River (2003) Mother (2002) 24hrs (2002) 15 (2002) Hock Hiap Leong (2001) Sons (2000) Jesses (1999) Kisses (1998) Adam. Eve. Steve. (1997) Erase (1996) Remain (1995) Anti-Drug “Brothers” Starhub “Special Delivery” Starhub “Brother & Sister” Starhub “This Is How” Singapore International Film Festival M1 “5566” Motorola “E398” HSBC “Deposits Draw” Osim “The Lone Counsellor” McDonald‟s “ Fan-tastic” Singapore Design Festival „05 Osim “Chair” Canon ”Crosswords Puzzles” DHL “Waiting” OTO “Shake Shake Shake” Standard Chartered “Project Innocence” Television Series 7th Month (2004) 48 on Aids (2002)
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ABOUT THE CAST Mindee Ong & Yeo Yann Yann as “The PAPAYA SISTERS”
MINDEE ONG (王欣)
This talented singer/host/actress first boomed onto the Singapore entertainment industry at just 17 years old in 1996, when she placed as the youngest finalist in a Talent Search Singing Contest. She has performed on a number of popular television shows and lent her voice for the Tsunami fundraising compilation album HOPE, earlier this year. Mindee has also hosted several mandarin variety programs such as Travel Hunt and Comedy Night soon after. Mindee ventured into acting and landed a lead role for a popular local Mandarin TV sitcom, Jian Jian Da Jia Le, as well as the popular teenage drama, Moulmein High. Other acting credits include the local tele-movie Coming Home, as well as First Touch. Earlier this year, she made her mark in the lead roles for the short films, Birthday (Winner of Best Short Film at the 2005 Bangkok Film Festival) and Buy Me Love (Winner of MDA Film Fiesta Professional category). She was also seen on stage, Mandarin musical, Lao Jiu and Stranger At Home earlier this year. Mindee is managed by Fly Entertainment.
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YEO YANN YANN (杨雁雁)
Born in Malaysia, Yann Yann has been acting in Singapore since the late 90s. Graduate of the Theatre Training and Research Programme, she played the much coveted role of Edward in Michael Chiang's Private Parts to rave reviews at the Esplanade Theatre. Best known for her strong acting, she was also in a string of other productions by The Theatre Practice, including Women, Lim Tzey Chien, Tartuffe, Tiger Tall, Tempest and Red Hawk. She has also worked with Toy Factory Ensemble on Thunderstorm and Comedy of Mistakes, and The Finger Players' Big Bully and Dragon Dance. Other theatre credits include The Necessary Stage's co production with Malaysia, Separation Forty in September, as well as Boxing Day. She was last seen in Theatreworks' A Beautiful Companion as well as Dramabox's Stranger At Home. She was also involved in the English musical, The Admiral's Odyssesy for Action Theatre last year. Yann Yann has also appeared in a variety of Mandarin television sitcoms and dramas in Singapore like Buo Yin Ren & Feng Niao . Effectively bilingual, Yann Yann is also the resident host for Brand Power, a commercial interstitials series on television. In addition, she has also completed two independent films, Singapore Dreaming starring opposite Lim Yu Beng and The GhostBoys by Cinepede Productions. In 2007, Yann Yann won the Best Actress in the Life! Theatre Awards with her unwavering performance in Thunderstorm by The Theatre Practice. Yann Yann is represented by Fly Entertainment.
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QI YU WU (戚玉武)
Qi Yu Wu hails from Guangzhou and was the champion as well as Mr Personality in the China Round of Asian Star Search in 1999, Singapore's regional talent search contest. Prior signing to MediaCorp Studios, he was a model and had played the lead role in a Guangzhou TV serial. Despite his youth, he is on the fast track to success and has already gathered a large fan base, having been voted one of Singapore's 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in the country's 2004, 2005 and 2006 Star Awards. Most recently, he was also included in the Asian Stars of Tomorrow feature of Screen International (October 6, 2006). He made his acting debut in the TV series Master Swordsman Lu Xiao Feng which was followed by Dare to Strike, a blockbuster co-production in which he co-starred with several of Hong Kong's veteran actors, lead roles in several other TV series include Brotherhood, Beautiful Illusions, A Police Story and The Peak. He also has a starring role in the feature films, The Home Song Stories, scheduled to be released on 30th Aug 2007 and The Leap Years, scheduled to be released in the last quarter of 2007.
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LIU LING LING (刘玲玲)
Touted as one of the most popular ge tai emcees in Singapore, Liu has worked with many ge tai veterans in the likes of Lin Li, Chee Chiong Fang, Lin Ru Ping and the late Chen Jin Lang. On television, she has collaborated with popular TV comedians like Jack Neo, Ah Nan and Selena Tan. Bestowed with the title "Queen of Comedy", Liu is a familiar face amongst her avid ge tai fans, her role in the film will definitely strike a cord in the fans.
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May & Choy as “The DURIAN SISTERS”
MAY (郑美云) CHOY (郑彩云)
May and Choy are widely known in the media industry as the hot and vivacious twins, who turned heads when they stepped out as “Double Trouble” MTV VJs. The twins are of Norwegian-Chinese parentage. Prior to being MTV VJs. they had already been modeling in Malaysia. The twins are now under Kosmic Film Entertainment Company Pte Ltd, and have been gaining lots of attention in the Singapore media scene. Most recently, they were selected to be the faces of Bionn and also to be eBay style ambassadors
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CAST LIST
Starring
Guan Yin Qi Yu Wu 戚玉武
Little Papaya
Mindee Ong 王欣
Big Papaya
Yeo Yann Yann 杨雁雁
Aunty Ling / Goddess
Liu Ling Ling 刘玲玲
Co-Starring
Wei Lian Chen Wei Lian 陈伟联
Durian Sisters
May & Choy 郑美云 / 郑彩云
Big Papaya’s Mother
Lin Ru Ping 林茹萍
Big Papaya’s Father
Johnny Ng 黄家强
Wang Lei
Wang Lei 王雷
Karen
Karen Lim 林晓婷
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CREDIT LIST
Written & Directed By Royston Tan 陈子谦
Executive Producer
Daniel Yun 云晖翔 Eric Khoo 邱金海 John Ho 何亚发 Mike Wiluan
Producer
Gary Goh 伍世雄 James Toh 杜万龄 Chan Pui Yin 陈佩然 Seah Saw Yam 谢素艳 Freddie Yeo 杨书德 Tan Fong Cheng 陈封侦 Ang Hwee Sim 翁蕙心
Co-Producer
Masaaki Wakasugi 若杉正明 Chieko Murata 村田千恵子
Director of Photography
Daniel Low 刘喜财
Post Supervisor
Lawrence Ang 洪良木
Editor
Low Hwee Ling 刘慧琳
Music Director
Eric Ng 黄韵仁
Original Songs By
Funkie Monkies Productions Poh Tiong Cai 傅长财
Original Music Score
Robert Mackenzie
Additional Music Score 13
Eric Ng 黄韵仁 Bang Wenfu 冯文甫
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
About Zhao Wei Films Zhao Wei Films, helmed by Eric Khoo and James Toh, is committed to the nurturing of local talent. Its maiden film,
Mee Pok Man (Venice Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, both in 1995) provided a jolt to the local scene in 1995
when it paved the way for the resurgence of film making in Singapore. Its second film 12 Storeys, was the first Singapore film to be invited to the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival in 1997. In 1998, it also produced the ground breaking TV series, Drive, which was shot on film and showcased budding young directing talent with a different director for each episode. Zhao Wei Films' recent feature film productions include 15 (selected for Venice Film Festival in 2003 and Sundance Film Festival in 2004), Be With Me (Opening Film of Cannes Directors' Fortnight in 2005) and 4:30 (selected for Berlin International Film Festival in 2006). Today, Zhao Wei is active in producing motion pictures, television commercials and other media content. For more information, please visit: www.zhaowei.com About MediaCorp Raintree Pictures The pioneer in Singapore movie industry, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures was set up in August 1998. Working with local and regional talents, it has produced over 20 movies of diverse genres, including the award-winning I Not
Stupid, The Eye, Infernal Affairs II, Turn Left Turn Right, Homerun (which won the first Golden Horse Award for
Singapore) and The Best Bet. Its latest productions include the internationally acclaimed horror film The Maid, I Not
Stupid Too, One Last Dance (which competed in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival). MediaCorp Raintree Pictures
is focused on producing an international hit that will break into key markets all around the world. MediaCorp Raintree Pictures is part of MediaCorp. As the largest broadcaster in Singapore and one of the region's most renowned broadcasters, MediaCorp offers a complete range of media businesses: TV, Radio, Entertainment Productions, Movie Productions, Newspapers, Magazines, Electronic Media and other broadcasting services. MediaCorp's vision is to become one of Asia's top media companies by delivering valued content to the world. For more information, please visit: www.mediacorpraintree.com
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About Media Development Authority of Singapore The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) was formed on 1 January 2003 to champion Media 21, a blueprint to transform Singapore into a global media city. Media 21 seeks to create a vibrant media environment by establishing Singapore as a media exchange, exporting Made-by-Singapore content, internationalising local media companies, nurturing local media talent and developing digital media. For more information, please visit: www.mda.gov.sg About Scorpio East Pictures Scorpio East Pictures - A subsidiary of Scorpio East Holdings Ltd, was incorporated in year 2004 for content-production (co-investment in film productions), acquisition and distribution of films for video and theatrical releases. Our first collaboration, with MediaCorp Raintree Pictures for the film - I Not Stupid Too - saw huge success as the 2
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film in history to gross more than $4million in Singapore box office alone. Indeed, we are very
honoured and proud to have been part of this project. We believe that our next collaboration with MediaCorp Raintree Pictures on the movie, 881 along with Eric Khoo, will also see resounding success. Building on our network of strong relationship with our partners, suppliers and customers, Scorpio East Pictures strives to entertain the world of film viewers by bringing in more exciting films from around the world. For more information, please visit: www.scorpioeast.com.sg About Infinite Frameworks Infinite Frameworks (IFW) is an award winning post-production and animation facility based in Singapore specialising in editing, visual effects, animation and design for TV commercials feature films, documentaries, broadcast design and long form 3D animation. A full-fledge HD facility, its in-house talent pool have been involved in crafting numerous award winning projects such as Eric Khoo's Be With Me, Kelvin Tong's Love Story and Saga Picture's epic documentary Ghost Fleet - Zheng He. IFW has also been recognised for its craft in advertising awards such as D&AD, New York Festivals and Cannes. It is currently in production for MDA and MediaCorp Raintree Pictures' Sing to the Dawn, a 3D animated feature film slated for release in 3rd quarter 2008. For more information, please visit: www.frameworks.com.sg
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