Invisible City
There are few who lyrically romanticise
about Singapore and there are even fewer who associate and relate
to such notions. Most of the time we just don't get it - us
spoon-fed Gen-Xes.
Unlike our parents, we grew up in a sanitised and über efficient
society that doesn't accept anything less, only looking to better
and the best, leaving the failed and less popular behind and
forgotten. New was always better than the old. We were always told
how great our progress was, how we're Number One in this and that.
Our failures were almost never spoken of.
We are a generation who so busy downloading our upgrades, have very
quickly and easily forgotten what is supposed to be our history.
We're a bunch who posses the audacity to whine about our history
failing us because we don't know who we are. I used to romanticise
and gush about the old world European cities that I've visited and
lived in. I've never gushed about Singapore in any way close (there
is the exception of our delicious local cuisine), because I thought
there wasn't much of our culture to gush about - there was only so
much I can say about our air-conditioned shopping centers that sell
almost the same things as the next or how Singapore Airlines really
is a great way to fly. What's new?
Tan Pin Pin has
made an incredibly important film with Invisible City. She's
retold a forgotten collective memory in a way each generation will
appreciate, one that is so essential to us as a young culture. She
has helped us to remember and bring to light several important
moments that existed in Singapore and has helped us to appreciate
what a lot of us didn't. Our history.
As a Singaporean I'm grateful to Pin Pin and the gracious
participants of her documentary for recording and sharing a history
that rarely spoken of, for making this very significant film,
because they have filled a void that's been in me that I've never
realised was there.
Truly perfect timing to have this released before National Day.
Please support this film and get all your family and friends to
watch it!!
Invisible City opens at the Arts House on 22 July 2007.
For more information, visit Invisiblecity.sg