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CHAPTER 1CELEBRATING SG50WITH UNIQUELYSINGAPOREANCONTENT2015 marked Singapore’s Golden Jubilee and MDA playedits part to celebrate the nation’s 50th birthday. From turningback time by resurrecting old movies to developing new,uniquely Singapore games, MDA supported a spectrum ofprojects that reminded Singaporeans of our heritage andshowcased our media professionals’ talents.6
CHAPTER 1.1LIGHTS, CAMERA,ACTION!SPOTLIGHTING THE PASTThe love for cinema never dies. In celebration of SG50, MDA helped to restore,digitise and subtitle five films from the 1950s to the 1970s to give audiences aglimpse into Singapore’s rich cinema history on the big screen.This initiative, known as Spotlight On Singapore Cinema, was led by MDA incollaboration with the National Archives of Singapore, Asian Film Archive andNational Museum of Singapore Cinémathèque.By giving these classic films a new lease of life, MDA wanted to preserve avaluable piece of Singapore’s cinematic heritage and allow Singaporeans tore-live the past through sights and sounds, some of which are now lost forever.The films were screened at the Capitol Theatre in August 2015 and were metwith an enthusiastic response from Singaporeans. This prompted extendedscreenings at public libraries and community centres.Featured films in Spotlight On Singapore Cinema.Watch a recap of the event here. Chuchu Datok Merah (1963), a Malay-language period dramaThe Lion City (1960), a Chinese-language filmPatah Hati (1952), an early P Ramlee dramaTaming of the Princess (1958), a Hokkien operaNinaithale Inikkum (1979), a Tamil romantic drama2,363Viewers watched the openingscreenings at Capitol Theatrefrom 20 to 23 August 20152,670Viewers watched the extendedscreenings at public librariesand community centres inJanuary 2016“I was deeply moved asI watched the restoredThe Lion City. It is the firstMandarin film producedin Singapore after WorldWar II. I played the role ofMolly. This MDA projectrecognises the hard workof the actors, directors andfilm crew, and gives themovies a new lease of life.”CHEN MENGVeteran film actress620,224Viewers watched the relateddocumentary, Lost: Cinema,on 19 August 2015 acrossvarious television channels7
CHAPTER 1.1 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIONNURTURING FIRSTTIME FILMMAKERS“This has been a good opportunityto tell stories which Singaporeansmight not be familiar with, orstories which are often neglected.”MARK CHUADirector for HeartlandBesides looking back at Singapore’s rich cinematic past, MDA alsoempowered the nation’s current creative talents to write their own SG50stories through the First Time Filmmakers Singapore (FTFM) initiative.FTFM provided a unique opportunity for the filmmakers to showcase theirtalent and gain international exposure. In partnership with DiscoveryNetworks, MDA commissioned the chosen filmmakers to produce 30-minutedocumentaries on the theme “The Singapore Story” for SG50. They alsoreceived professional training and development from Discovery Channel’saward-winning producers.Their documentaries debuted at an outdoor screening on 11 July 2015,followed by region-wide broadcasts on Discovery Channel from 16 July 2015.The Documentaries: GOING WILDIN THE URBANJUNGLESingapore is more than an urban jungle – wildlifeteems where you least expect them. This was alittle-known fact that Channel NewsAsia sought toshowcase in the documentary, Wild City, wherethe spotlight shifts from the nation’s man-madewonders to its rich biodiversity.Wild City is produced by local production houseBeach House Pictures and supported by MDAthrough the Public Service Broadcast funding.Narrated by natural history legend Sir DavidAttenborough, the two-part series introducedviewers to unlikely city dwellers such as civets andotters that have also called Singapore their home.Man Vs Birds by Kylie Tan and Priscilla GohHeartland by Mark Chua and Mark KwanGrowing Roots by Yong Shu Ling and Lisa TehWild Cards by Gwendolin MahBirth of a Marine Park by Victor Tang“There were many firsts for Singapore in theproduction of Wild City. From the involvementof David Attenborough as narrator, to the neverbefore-experienced challenges of making a bluechip natural history film in the country. Thefilm is now being distributed overseas to greatresults – a unique and amazing achievement forBHP, MDA and all Singaporeans.”DONOVAN CHANExecutive Producer,Beach House Pictures8
CHAPTER 1.1 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIONLOVE LETTERSTO SINGAPOREIn this age of social media and instant gratification, letter writing is anactivity that borders on antiquity. This is why for Singapore’s GoldenJubilee, MDA asked seven local directors this poignant question:If you could write a love letter to Singapore, what would it say?The result is 7 Letters, an anthology of seven short films on identity,belonging, truth, love and loss by seven stellar Singapore filmmakers– Boo Jun Feng, Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, Kelvin Tong, K Rajagopal,Royston Tan and Tan Pin Pin.Supported by MDA and the Singapore Film Commission, 7 Letterspremiered at Capitol Theatre in July 2015 to a sold-out audience.Supply could not keep up with demand; tickets for the three-daypremiere screenings were snapped up in under two hours.“7 Letters has been an awesomeand unforgettable experience,a true marriage of trust andcraftsmanship – between thefilmmakers, partners and MDA.”ROYSTON TANLead Director for 7 Letters7 Letters received widespread acclaim from film critics and audiencesalike. An additional four weeks were added to its screening scheduleat Golden Village cinemas island-wide and a limited edition DVD setwas also released. Proceeds from all the screenings and sales weredonated to the seven charities of the directors’ choice.9
CHAPTER 1.2GAME ON,SINGAPORE!GOING LOCALWITH SG50 GAMESEntertaining players with uniquely Singaporean quirks. Unearthingfascinating historical facts and highlighting iconic Singaporeanpersonalities. These were the key objectives of the five games,which MDA supported last year to commemorate SG50.The games were shortlisted from over 40 proposals in 2014 andlaunched online on 1 July 2015 at www.mda.gov.sg/sg50games,as well as on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.While their gameplay was different, all of them shared thecommonality of featuring uniquely Singaporean traits like trying toescape the watchful eyes of the parking attendants and grapplingwith never-ending orders for delectable satay. Their popularityeven spurred local YouTubers Wah! Banana to develop a videoon “Types of Mobile Gamers”, featuring the SG50 games. Itgarnered more than half a million views.SG50 Games supported by MDA: “The main thing is to bring laughterto people; to laugh at our ownculture. At the kopitiam, taxi driversor other drivers rush to put parkingcoupons on their cars whenever thesummon auntie appears. That is ourown distinctive culture, so why notput it in a game and make it fun?”JOEL CHUACo-founder, MojocatDeveloper of KAN-CHEONG!Kopitiam SagaBuilding the Lion by Swag SoftKAN-CHEONG! Kopitiam Saga by MojocatMy Singapore City by Ixora StudiosRickshaw Rush by Mojo ForestSatay Club by Afzainizam ZahariMORE THAN40proposalsreceivedMORE THAN229,000downloads for thefive SG50 gamesMORE THAN500,000views on Wah! BananaYouTube feature10
CHAPTER 1.2 GAME ON, SINGAPORE!BUNDLING UPFOR CHARITYIn November 2015, MDA facilitated a charity tie-up between local gamedevelopers, Community Chest and US-based online platform Humble Bundle.Nine Singapore-based developers agreed to sell their titles as a bundle toform the first made-in-Singapore bundle to be featured on Humble Bundle.The bundle, which includes both mobile and PC games, is worth more thanS 100, with some games having won international recognition.Part of the proceeds was donated to Community Chest. Coupled with thegovernment’s dollar-for-dollar matching under the Care & Share @ SG50movement, a total of US 24,000 was raised for charity.Through this tie-up, gamers here and overseas got to discover quality titlesand hidden gems made in Singapore while giving back to society.Humble Bundle titles: Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?! by Daylight StudiosTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Phantoms by UbisoftRavenmark: Scourge Of Estellion by Witching Hour StudiosCubetractor by LudochipDusty Revenge: Co-Op Edition by PD Design StudioAutumn Dynasty by Touch DimensionsMooncake Shop by Afzainizam ZahariRocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken by Ratloop AsiaDevil’s Dare by Secret Base“It felt great being part ofthe SG50 ‘Made in Singapore’Humble Bundle. MDA helpedus in exhibiting our gameworldwide, which openedmany opportunities for usincluding global exposureand media coverage.”DON SIMChief Executive Officer,Daylight StudiosDeveloper for Holy Potatoes!A Weapon Shop?!11
CHAPTER 1.3READ ON,SINGAPORE!RECORDING THENATION’S DIVERSEACHIEVEMENTSIn 50 short years, Singapore has turned many of itsaspirations into reality. As part of SG50, the WorldScientific Publishing Company commissioned a multivolume book series to document stories on importantaspects of our country’s development. MDA supportedthe funding of 25 books in the series, titled Singapore’s50 Years of Nation Building.The series captures the voices of pioneers, experts,scholars and politicians on topics like urban planning,real estate, environment, defence, healthcare,transportation and women. Three Chinese books onliterature and culture were also published. The titlesare available on hard cover, soft cover, e-books, andmobile formats.Prominent titles in the series are showcased below.“Learning how Singapore has overcome landconstraints by exporting its real estate expertisewas an eye-opener. For example, Singapore’sRaffles City integrated development has beentaken to China by a local developer – there arenow eight Raffles City developments in China!”SHREYA GOPIEditor of Singapore’s Real Estate:50 Years of Transformation“Producing 50 Years of Technical Educationin Singapore was quite an experience. Muchhas been disclosed in the course of producingand publishing the book, including thehistory, constant concerns and interest ofthe government to develop an economicallyviable populace, and the challenges faced andconquered in the early days of local education.”LERH-FENG LOWEditor of 50 Years of TechnicalEducation in Singapore50 YEARS OF SOCIALISSUES IN SINGAPORE50 YEARS OF SINGAPOREAND THE UNITED NATIONSSINGAPORE’S REAL ESTATE: 50YEARS OF TRANSFORMATION50 YEARS OF TECHNICALEDUCATION IN SINGAPORE12
Ravenmark: Scourge Of Estellion by Witching Hour Studios Cubetractor by Ludochip Dusty Revenge: Co-Op Edition by PD Design Studio Autumn Dynasty by Touch Dimensions Mooncake Shop by Afzainizam Zahari Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken by Ratloop Asia Devil's Dare by Secret Base BUNDLING UP FOR CHARITY
