Get another perspective of the Lion City through director and producer Tan Pin Pin's lenses in his 55-minute documentary Singapore Gaga, which introduces the audience to the quirkiness of the Singaporean aural landscape. Since its premiere in 2005 at the Singapore International Film Festival, the essay film became the first-ever local documentary to have a theatrical release. And now, it's available for all to watch at The Projector's online platform until June 14 at US$9.99 for a 24-hour viewing period, with a special Facebook Live Q&A featuring Tan Pin Pin on June 13 at 4.30pm.
If the title reminds you of an 80s smash hit, you're not far off. Partly named after Queen's single Radio Gaga, Singapore Gaga is also based on the concept of 'gaga' which is synonymous to being crazy over something in English, anger in Malay, and the yearning for a time past. It colours the city's past and present with delight and humour, and ropes audiences in with the sweet sounds of hymns sung by buskers, street vendors, school cheerleaders to themselves and their communities. It even reveals the hidden faces behind these aural gems.
Recorded in various languages including Mandarin, Malay, Arabic, and Latin, the kaleidoscopic documentary prompts a sense of what it might mean to be a modern Singaporean. It features unique Singapore voices such as the late ventriloquist Victor Khoo, classical music artist Margaret Leng Tan and harmonica virtuoso Yew Hong Chow.
Presented with both English and Chinese subtitles, Singapore Gaga is available to rent on The Projector until June 14 at US$9.99 for a 24-hour viewing period, with a special Facebook Live Q&A featuring Tan Pin Pin on June 13 at 4.30pm.