I remember Mr Reddy saying something about a post on the Singaporean culture. Here’s something I got out of one of my favorite Singaporean film, <i.Just Follow Law
I was a little slow in watching this, and I only made the effort to watch it only because I happen to catch a bit of it outside a neighborhood VCD shop.
I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I know by saying that I am surprised will hint that I wasn’t much of a Jack Neo fan in the past, but I guess many would honestly (or even brutally) concur when posed with the same question. Films like “The Best bet”, “Money no enough” (钱不够用) and “That one not enough” have disrupted, and unrefined storylines that serve as more of an irritation than a cliff hanger.
Just follow Law however, though not impeccable, has by far, (following “I not stupid”) the most widely recognised theme (office politics) that is localised through the language and mix of characters.
Although many of the cultures and dialogues can only be fully understood if you are a Singaporean, but the (and probably most important) idea that Neo wants to put across is clear and can be wholly understood, whether or not you’re a Singaporean: to look at your actions and its consequences on others (whether or not they are your kin or subordinates)
Fann Wong (Tanya Chew) and Gurmit Singh (Lee Teng Zui) switched souls to live each other’s life for a while, only to realise that they were very wrong in the assumptions they have of each other’s role in society. Wong, a scholar in a directorial position, sees herself as all important, even in front of her mother, while Singh, an uneducated technician, lives just for paydays and watching the clock tick til he knocks off.
I won’t deny that this idea can be easily understood and almost typical in many ways, but the art of this film, is the fusion of local flavor, together with a theme so general. That is the craft (in my opinion) of a good local director/filmmaker.
Any film/artwork/poem has to be understood by your audience: relate to them and to engage them. In many ways, Jack Neo binds people- Singaporeans, and provides an avenue of cognition through his films. This is the responsibility of, i think, local artists, filmmakers, or even bloggers.
(On discursive days, I would talk about the role of Art at this point. but we’re spared today since I’m in a coherent mood. hurhur.)
To think about what makes up our identity is not by memorising what you see in the Singapore National museum (cosmopolitan city, proud colonial masters), but by looking at our every day scene: the woes of bills, work, our aging population, our dialects, our indignation, our helplessness in the face of authority…. you get my drift. Just follow Law is well done, and brutally truthful that way.
In many ways, residual culture is probably the most truthful culture.
“The main instrument of society’s self knowledge is its culture” – Vaclav Havel
“I not stupid” and “Just follow law” just made it on my list as Singaporean, in all essence of that word.
