Singapore film festival focus on folk music

Known for its lyrics and melodies, Xin Yao, which was popular among Singaporea ns in the 1980s and 90s, was the inspiration behind two of the films shown in the fest

New Delhi: The fourth edition of Singapore Film Festival that featured folk music-based films from the country, concluded here on Sunday.

Organised by the Singapore high commission in partnership with the Directorate of Film Festivals, the festival was themed after Singapore folk music, Xin Yao.

Known for its lyrics and melodies, Xin Yao, which was popular among Singaporeans in the 1980s and 90s, was the inspiration behind two of the films shown during the festival. That Girl in a Pinafore by Yee Wei Chai tells the story of a group of teenagers and their dedication to Xin Yao.

The screening was followed by a dialogue with director Chai and composer Zennon Goh, who produced the songs in the film and is one of the pioneers of the Xin Yao movement. Another film, The Songs We Sang talked about the origins and impact of Xin Yao in Singapore.

The screening was followed by a dialogue with Zennon Goh and the first ever Xin Yao performance in Delhi by Singaporean guitarist and singer Zi Jian Tan. “For many Singaporeans, the songs evoke memories of the idealism and simplicity of their youth and hold much sentimental value. We hope that through music we can bring the cultures of Singapore and India closer and see that we really have more in common than not,” Kester Tay, festival programmer and first secretary at the Singapore high commission, said. Two other Singaporean films, Apprentice by Boo Junfeng and A Yellow Bird by K. Rajagopal, which made it to the Cannes Film Festival last year, were also screened here. “In the spirit of cultural exchange, we wanted to share with our friends in India works that have meaning for us, Singaporeans. It was a matter of great pride for us to see two home-grown filmmakers’ works screen at Cannes. “It showed that Singapore has stories to tell which can resonate with Singaporean as well as international audiences,” Tay said.

A Singapore-India filmmakers’ residency exchange programme was held concurrently with the film festival.