Think about the last movie that made you laugh, cry, or gasp in horror. The kind of movie that leaves you yearning for more, scrolling through social feeds for easter eggs and explained theories long after the end credits have rolled. Scenes linger at the back of your mind for weeks, and even subtly influences the way you go about your days.
Who did you watch that movie with? More importantly, was that movie made… in Singapore? Some may scoff or laugh bitterly at such an idea, but that’s exactly what a group of local producers have set their minds on achieving — creating a heartwarming, fun-filled Singaporean comedy that challenges mindsets and sparks conversations.
Singapore’s local comedy film market
Making a movie requires a lot of capital, perhaps even more so in Singapore where space, equipment, and talent are priced at a premium. Of course, there are avenues for filmmakers to obtain funding (such as blatant product placements), but these often require producers to compromise on the tone or even storyline that was originally intended.
Coupled with Singapore’s notoriously small market size, local filmmakers are often discouraged from making movies based in Singapore. And who could blame them? With our little red dot’s unique blend of ethnicities and languages, it’s hard for investors to bet their dollars on the commercial potential of local films — both within Singapore and overseas.
But as impossible as the task seems, Writer and Director Chee Chai Hong as well as Producers Tan Jia Min and Lee Yi Jia are looking to do exactly that. And all they’re asking for is a little support from the local community.
The Singaporean condition
Chee’s debut film We Can Save the World!!! has its premise set in modern day Singapore. Starring Noah Yap (Ah Boys to Men, Sunny Side Up) and Jun Vinh Teoh (Average Guys, Fat Kids are Harder to Kidnap), the film adds an element of sci-fi conspiracy into a setting that we’re all familiar with by following Ryan, the protagonist and disillusioned government worker who finds himself in a situation that challenges his capacity to be empathetic towards others.
Tasked with the unenviable responsibility of weeding out rough sleepers, Ryan encounters a man who claims to be an alien searching for a missing doomsday device. He faces the moral dilemma of figuring out whether this problem is even worth his time, whether this strange man is telling the truth, and if he is — whether he has what it takes to save the world despite being burnt out from his 9-6 job.
The current state of the project
The team’s crowdfunding effort received encouraging response (see their crowdfunding trailer), allowing them to kickstart production in May 2024. While they’re still unsure about the level of interest regarding this project, the team has promised to create an awesome movie that will have viewers dragging their friends and family along to watch.
Their ultimate goal is for this movie to reignite a modern kampung spirit that brings everyone together, at a secret location that will be revealed closer to launch date, surrounded by popcorn, drinks, fun activities, stores, and most importantly, our loved ones. And if, just if, the movie turns out to be a success, it will turn into a film that will be projected on the big screen, one that Singaporeans can all be proud of having built together.
To learn more about We Can Save the World!!!, we sat down with the writing and producing team to find out what goes on behind the scenes to make such a feat possible.
What was the inspiration behind the film's premise?
WCSTW: “The grounding idea behind this film is that saving the world begins by helping one person at a time, even if that person happens to be a peculiar man who claims to be an alien (as is the case for our film’s protagonist). We’ve noticed recurrent sentiments among young Singaporeans, such as the inherent loneliness that accompanies adulthood, feeling stuck from grinding away at the corporate ladder, and wondering whether there’s more to our lives. Having been there ourselves, we wanted to create a film to remind fellow Singaporeans about the meaning and joy that can be found by simply extending our helping hands to the person standing right next to us. At its core, We Can Save The World is a film about connection and empathy.”
Could you explain how you arrived at the crowdfunding amount of $80,000 to non-filmmakers who may not understand the costs involved in filmmaking?
WCSTW: “$80,000 is just a fraction of our overall budget. Films are generally expensive to make, and the bulk of our cost goes into things that are needed to simply get the film on screen. These include dressing, props, wardrobe, camera, lighting equipment, as well as location rental fees.
Cliche as it sounds, it does take a village to put together a film, and part of our budget goes into sustaining said village of cast and crew members. Furthermore, there’s a saying within the film industry that it’s not the best made films, but the most well-marketed ones that are most viewed. This doesn’t mean that we’re going to compromise on production and storytelling, but we also want to acknowledge the importance of creative marketing and give the film its best chance to succeed by using event popups, digital ads, and other promotional assets such as trailers, posters, and social media content.
Finally, we also wanted to involve the local community in the making of this film by reaching out to potential viewers via the fundraiser. Every individual who supports the crowdfunding campaign will be given a ticket to our launch screening event.”
Why is it so important for a community-driven aspect to be included in this film?
WCSTW: “We want the film’s distribution to bring people together. This project isn’t just about a movie, but a movement that we want to continue even after the curtains have closed and the crying and laughing within the theatre has ceased. To make audience outreach sustainable, we want to use films as a medium to drive conversations, which is where the community aspect steps in.”
How has Freelancer Nation helped with this project?
WCSTW: “Freelancer Nation has supported us immensely by connecting with industry professionals, not just within the film and media ecosystem, but adjacent industries as well. As film producers who also double as entrepreneurs in our spare time, Freelancer Nation has given us many opportunities to work with web designers, brands, and even provided legal and accounting support whenever necessary.”
How has the reception towards the film been thus far?
WCSTW: “It’s been really heartening to receive the support from an entire community of like minded industry players. Most of the feedback has been positive, with some even calling us brave (laughs). But to be honest, we’re only able to keep going thanks to the capable friends, financiers, and creative collaborators who have extended their help to join forces with us. Their support also represents a leap of faith for our project, so we want to do right by them and create the best film possible.
We also greatly appreciate friends and strangers who have shared our trailer on social media and expressed their excitement to watch a contemporary comedy made by a younger generation, for the younger generation. It’s affirmations like these that assure us that we’re on the right path.”
What do you hope to achieve with this film and on the local scene?
WCSTW: “The dream is to reignite love and confidence within local cinema! Film has so much power to spread messages and build communities, which is why we want to present an authentic portrayal of Singapore through spaces, language, and representation that showcases all our quirks and flaws. Our team consists of born and bred Singaporeans who are eager to celebrate the local spirit for what it is.
That said, we’ll also be looking to sell the film internationally. The goal is to generate good streaming sales and international distribution numbers within the local box office so that the next generation of filmmakers have the confidence to keep going, knowing that Singaporeans do want to watch Singaporean films.”
How are you juggling this project alongside full-time jobs and personal lives?
WCSTW: “To be very honest, it’s hard (laughs). We sometimes joke that we’re holding two full-time jobs, because we’re still taking on the usual freelance projects to sustain ourselves. But we’re really doing this because we believe in the possibilities and opportunities that this movie and movement can bring. It’s what gives us meaning and purpose, journeying with others to establish the human connection that we all crave and helping them find their own purpose in life, too.”
The team behind this film
Cheng Chai Hong (Writer/Director)
Cheng Chai Hong is a Singaporean director and screenwriter who started as a 2nd Assistant Director on A Yellow Bird before going on to work as a commercial director and TV writer. Apart from an extensive commercial portfolio that includes social media management at SGAG, Cheng also worked on popular indie comedy web series such as Average Guys and Neighbourhood Watch Task Force. Cheng’s work has been screened at SIngapore Short Cuts and the National Youth Film Awards. In 2022, he was invited to attend Fantastic Film School at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Notable commercial clients: Singapore Tourism Board, Changi Airport Group, Temasek Foundation International, and Lazada.
Writing credits: Ajoomma, Tanglin, Whoopie’s World (Award-winning kids’ comedy), Mr Kiasu 2.0 (Best Screenplay at Asia Web Awards)
Tan Jia Min (Producer)
Tan Jia Min’s work centres around developing and co-producing narrative shorts, features, and series. Tan’s career in development work started in Taipan Films, which led her to create and produce the 2021 web series 1000 Cups to Midnight. She also oversaw the entirety of post-production, marketing, and distribution strategies for the 2023 local feature film Circle Line. A recent participant of IMDA’s Producers Lab 2021 and the IFFR Rotterdam Lab 2022, Tan is always looking to refine her producing instincts by developing more short films.
Production & Post-Production Credits: 1000 Cups to Midnight (2021), Aunt Lotus Waits for a Phone Call (Leiden International Film Festival 2022, ShortShorts 2023)
On-going Projects: We Can Save the World (Cheng Chai Hong), Wingman (Grace Ng)
Lee Yi Jia (Producer)
Lee Yi Jia is a Singaporean producer who journeys with directors, writers, artists and craftspeople to develop both fiction and non-fiction stories in her pursuit to better understand the human psyche. Her latest short film with Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen, “Chomp It!”, has been screened on global stages including at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam 2023 and bagged her the Best Live Action Film award at the Singapore’s National Youth Film Awards. An alumni of the 2020 IMDA Producer’s Lab, Yi Jia has received mentorship from Showrunner Cynthia Hsiung and David Puttnam, and is also a 2022 fellow of the Busan Asian Film School’s International Film Business Academy.
Documentary Credits: In Your Shoes (Viddsee), TLDR (Viddsee), Bare - Nudity in Conservative SIngapore (Martin Loh)
Here’s how you can save Singapore’s comedy film scene
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