MediaCorp
Raintree Pictures' "881" crosses S$3m mark at box
office
Date : 13 September 2007 2144 hrs (SST)
URL : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/299668/1/.html
Singapore-made movie "881" has crossed the S$3 million mark at the
box office, making it the highest grossing Asian film in Singapore
for 2007.
The film is about Getai singers (stage singers) who perform during
the Chinese 7th Lunar Month, and is produced by MediaCorp Raintree
Pictures.
The wishes of the cast and crew have finally come true after the
movie raked in S$3 million in ticket sales.
Liu LingLing, Actress, "881", says: "S$3 million! Impossible. I'm
so happy. I'm so happy. I can't tell you more because my English
isn't very good. But thank you for supporting this movie! This is
my first movie where I played the lead actress. So thank you very
much. It actually shows that Singaporeans actually like watching a
fat lady on the big screen!"
"881" is the first commercial feature film by critically acclaimed
Singapore director Royston Tan.
Royston Tan said "My last two films were not box office hits. So it
is a very good present for my birthday. I really want to thank the
general public. Over this period of time, they've been giving us
and crew a lot of love so a very big thank you."
Kenneth Tan, CEO, Golden Village Cinemas, says: "It has also
attracted a wide spectrum of people who probably don't normally go
for Getai performances. Young people (are) attracted to the younger
talent in the film.
"You don't need to do something either high art only or something
that is based on the conventional man in the street coffeeshop
talk. If you make a film on any theme any subject matter that
strikes a chord with a broad base of population, people are going
to watch the film."
Very few Singapore-made movies actually hit the S$2 million mark in
local cinemas and these are mostly movies by comedian director Jack
Neo.
His previous films took in between S$3 million to S$5
million.
In 1998, his "Money No Enough" made S$5.8 million, "I Not Stupid
Too" made S$4.2 million in 2006 and "I Not Stupid", S$3.8
million.
His 2007 project "Just Follow Law" about Singapore's civil servants
took home about S$2.7 million.
MediaCorp Raintree Pictures' "881" has gone even beyond that but it
is not just about earnings at the box office.
The film is set to hit new heights.
"881" has been invited to take part at the prestigious Pusan
International Film Festival in South Korea.
It will be showcased at a new section called the Gala Presentation
exclusive only to four internationally acclaimed movie directors. -
CNA/ch
