Vogue Singapore's picks of local works that hit home most
Whilst we all have our own varied tastes from across the globe, we can't deny that when something is bred on our shores, it just becomes that much more special in our hearts. For what matters more is that these artists and creatives are offering us perspectives we would not ever see or hear about elsewhere. Not only do some of them offer a nuanced lens into the underbelly of Singapore's textured narrative, they also hold a beacon of hope for the future of our local arts scene.
In the spirit of Vogue Singapore's 'Home' July/August issue, we grew curious and decided to look inward to discover the vastly different corners of culture which we've all lived in. Between comedic plays that touch on themes of censorship, emotional classics from legacy filmmaker Jack Neo and gripping new reads for anyone who's been through Singapore's school system, these are the local works which the Vogue Singapore team has resonated with most over the years. Courtesy of J Team Productions
1 / 11 Janice Sim, digital editor: Homerun by Jack Neo
'I feel emotional whenever I think of the strife, the scene and the heart behind Homerun . One of Neo's greatest works beyond his flair for comedy, the local adaptation of the Iranian film Children of Heaven is one I still remember fondly. The young actors at that point of time, Shawn Lee and Megan Zheng perfected their roles as siblings who despite being impoverished, showed greatness in their love and strength for one another.' Ruey Loon
2 / 11 Jesslyn Lye, writer: G*d is a Woman by Joel Tan
'Watching Munah Bagharib descend from the three-storey-high ceiling of Ngee Ann Kongsi theatre as Ariana Grande to deliver an impressively accurate rendition of 'God is a Woman' is something that I'll never forget. Written by Joel Tan, G*d is a Woman might be the play I've laughed the hardest in—but the way it deals with ever-relevant issues like censorship and moral outrage with such nuance is also painfully sobering.' Sonny Liew
3 / 11 Azrin Tan, senior digital writer: The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew
'My first brush with Sonny Liew's magnum opus, was ironically enough, in a Sing Lit. module I was reading at university in 2018. Now a decade old, The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye may have debuted in a cloud of controversy for its politically-charged material, but real life circumstances perhaps held a mirror to the crux of this graphic novel which is as educational as it is entertaining. Following the life of a fictional comic artist named Charlie Chan, not only does it paint a picture of what alternative Singapore could have looked like at one point in time, but it also poses the ultimate question of unreliable narration: in the retelling of history, who gets to tell the story?' @motifsband
4 / 11 Nurul Firdousee, fashion features writer: Remember a Stranger by motifs
'A piece of local music that has stayed with me is Remember a Stranger by motifs. I first heard about them through my cousin, who is actually in the band. He once recommended me songs that matched my love for dreamy sounds, and when their album finally came out I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. My favourite track is 'Fluorescent', the very first song I heard from them, which carries that dreamlike vibe I always gravitate towards.' Courtesy of Michael Chiang Playthings
5 / 11 Desmond Lim, editor-in-chief: Army Daze by Michael Chiang
'A 1987 theatre play written by one of our most prolific playwrights and screen writers Michael Chiang, Army Daze is an exhilarating tribute to young male recruits who enter the army at the tender age of 18—capturing the moment when boys from diverse ethnicities and social classes came together to serve the nation. As one of the first local plays to embrace a distinctly Singaporean voice, it resonated greatly with the audiences. In 1996, Army Daze was adapted into a film that only further cemented its legacy, earning rave reviews for its unique storytelling and heartfelt celebration of kinship.' Courtesy of IMDb
6 / 11 Nicholas See, senior fashion stylist: Dreaming and Dying by Nelson Yeo
'Singaporean director Nelson Yeo's debut feature will leave you mesmerised and deeply moved. Lensed by Lincoln Yeo, the whimsical film consists of a multitude of vivid hues and peculiar framing—all of which immerses the viewer in a visual trip that is rare within Singapore's film landscape.' Courtesy of Zhao Wei Films
7 / 11 Jordan Ong, junior designer: Mee Pok Man by Eric Khoo
'An intimate story set in a period I never experienced, yet felt immensely familiar. I resonate deeply with the main characters as I saw how they humanised people in the fringes of Singaporean society. The film showed how disenfranchised people often do not make bad decisions out of their own accord, but are simply products of their circumstances.' Courtesy of J Team Productions
8 / 11 Gordon Ng, watches & jewellery editor: I Not Stupid by Jack Neo
'I Not Stupid is one of the rare childhood-growing-up films I still vividly remember. It seems to have marked a very specific moment in Singapore's culture. A time when locally made films would (could?) screen in the cinema and express national frustrations, criticise the government, and we'd all go watch, laugh and commiserate.' Courtesy of Kinokuniya Singapore
9 / 11 Emily Heng, beauty editor: The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei
'This breathtaking novel by Jemimah Wei surpassed all my expectations—set in 1996, it details the tumultuous relationship between two sisters set against the intensively competitive backdrop of Singapore's school system. Heartbreaking but also peppered with moments of levity, it made a strong impression and cemented itself as one of my favourite books of the year.' @xfrmusic
10 / 11 Micah Phua, senior lifestyle writer: Green Around the Gills by Xingfoo&Roy
'Wistful lyrics borne upon a wind of soaring anthems, catchy hooks, and jangly production—these boys are carrying the emo torch forward with all the nostalgia and melancholy you could ask for.' Courtesy of IMDA
11 / 11 Lance Pielago, fashion stylist: Ilo Ilo by Anthony Chen
'Ilo Ilo is a 2013 Singaporean film directed by Anthony Chen, depicting the impact of the 1997 Asian financial crisis on a middle-class Singaporean family through their relationship with their Filipina helper, Teresa. The film explores themes of family, cultural differences, and the search for belonging during a period of economic hardship.'
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Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox On Aug 19, The Projector announced it had ceased operations immediately, with all future screenings and events cancelled. SINGAPORE - Local film-makers have likened the closure of local indie cinema The Projector to the death of a close friend, given its importance in the cultural landscape. For over a decade, The Projector was a haven for alternative cinema, a space where film-makers could test new ideas, and a hub for cinephiles to connect, these film-makers said. On Aug 19, The Projector announced it had ceased operations immediately , with all future screenings and events cancelled. Award-winning filmmaker Boo Junfeng described the closure as a 'huge loss' not only for Singapore's film scene but for its cultural vitality. Boo, whose film Apprentice (2016) won the Netpac award at the prestigious Golden Horse Awards , said: 'The Projector was a space that dared to be different... it was something Singapore sorely needed.' 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Director Anthony Chen held a screening of Ilo Ilo (2013) followed by a question-and-answer session at The Projector in 2019. SCREENSHOT: INSTAGRAM The Ilo Ilo (2013) director said he would always get 'the most thoughtful responses and exchanges' from screenings and question-and-answer sessions there, and he would leave these events 'feeling inspired and energised'. 'I don't know how we can rebuild and recreate such a space again from scratch... What we have lost is a piece of the city's cultural soul.' A gathering of minds and a place to experiment The Projector was also an incubator for emerging talent, said film-maker He Shuming, whose debut feature film Ajoomma (2022) received four nominations at the 59th Golden Horse Awards in 2022. Film-maker He Shuming held a screening for Ajoomma and question-and-answer session at The Projector's former premises at The Cathay in 2022. PHOTO: HE SHUMING 'It was a space for young emerging filmmakers to screen their works to their first audiences, it was beyond a space for alternative films but also one where dialogues can exist with entertainment,' said He, who held a screening for Ajoomma and question-and-answer session at The Projector's former premises at The Cathay in 2022. The space was also where film cast, crew and fans could mingle, said film-maker Kelvin Tong who is best known for his acclaimed local horror film The Maid (2005) and box-office hit It's A Great Great World (2011). One of his favourite memories was screening a restored digital print of his debut film Eating Air (1999) in 2022, followed by a celebratory party just outside the theatre. 'At an inflection point when so much human activity has migrated online, losing a physical landmark like The Projector, which was akin to a temple to cinema, is simply heartbreaking. It is a loss that is irreplaceable and I really wish something could have been done to preserve its existence,' he said. Eric Khoo, the director behind acclaimed films such as Mee Pok Man (1995), 12 Storeys (1997), and Be With Me (2005), said the Projector helped to expose younger viewers to his movies. 'It's been a wonderful platform for cinephiles and engaging a younger audience to all types of cinema,' he said. '(The Projector) did Mee Pok Man's 20th anniversary (in 2016), and it was wonderful as we had a restored version by Asian Film Archive. 'It captured a wide and young audience who had never seen the film before.' Beyond film, The Projector also hosted book launches, poetry readings, and other arts events. Poet Pooja Nansi shared on Instagram that it had been a vital space for artistic experimentation. She wrote: 'The Projector has been a haven and a safe harbour for so many of us in a city where licences, laws, rules and regulations can scare you away from just trying to be yourself.'
