Our Stories, Well Told: National Day Special

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Singapore Film Commission (SFC), Our Stories, Well-Told aims to bring Singaporeans closer to local cinema by celebrating Singapore’s filmmakers, inspiring budding film talent and growing appreciation for local films. Catch free screenings of 25 acclaimed Singapore films and shorts at Esplanade during Red Dot August.

Three Singapore films shot over three decades take you on journeys both bittersweet and whimsical, from literal road trips to excavations of history and everyday life.

In Boo Junfeng's Sandcastle, a boy discovers there is more beneath the surface of his family’s story. En lost his father to cancer many years ago. While waiting for his enlistment into the army, he discovers that there may be more to his father’s student activist past than his mother lets on. What follows is a test of loyalties and a struggle to stay true to what he knows to be right.

Say hello to POP AYE. Kirsten Tan’s film revolves around a disenchanted architect who encounters his long-lost elephant on the streets of Bangkok. Excited, he takes his elephant on a redemptive journey across Thailand, in search of the farm where they grew up together.

Eric Khoo's 12 Storeys depicts a day in the lives of residents in an HDB block, with all the action occurring within 24 hours. There are three interlocking storylines. A middle-aged man has brought home a pretty young wife from China. A lonely and suicidal woman struggles with life. And an overbearing brother takes the opportunity to lord over his siblings while their parents are away.

Sandcastle

En is an 18-year-old who has lost his father to cancer many years ago. While waiting for his enlistment into the army, he discovers that there may be more to his father’s student activist past than his mother lets on and is determined to learn more about it. As his family is drawn closer by a sudden tragedy, En has to decide where his loyalty lies, and stand up for what he believes in. In a country where ideologies are forged on constantly shifting sands, he finds himself struggling to stay true to what he knows to be right.

Duration: 1hr 30mins

About Boo Junfeng 

Boo Junfeng has written and directed 2 feature films—Sandcastle (2010) and Apprentice (2016)—and several award-winning short films. He was accorded the Young Artist Award in 2009 and the Singapore Youth Award in 2011. In 2018 and 2021, he also served as Creative Director for the National Day Parade. 

Directed by: Boo Junfeng 
Written by: Boo Junfeng 
Executive Producers: Eric Khoo, James Toh, Michael J Werner, Nelleke Driessen 
Produced by: Fran Borgia, Gary Goh 
Associate Producer: Tan Fong Cheng, Esther Yeung, Raymond P. 

Starring: Joshua Tan, Elena Chia, Bobbi Chen, Ng Jing Jing, Samuel Chong 

Cinematography by: Sharon Loh 
Music by: Darren Ng 
Production Designer: James Page 
Edited by: Natalie Soh 

Distributed by: Golden Village Pictures 

Int. Sales Agent Fortissimo Films 

Release date: 12 May 2005 (Cannes Film Festival), 8 September 2005 (Singapore) 

Language Mandarin, English, Hokkien 

Pop Aye

On a chance encounter, a disenchanted architect bumps into his long-lost elephant on the streets of Bangkok. Excited, he takes his elephant on a redemptive journey across Thailand, in search of the farm where they grew up together. 

Duration: 1hr 30mins 

About Kirsten Tan 

Kirsten Tan’s works have screened at film festivals in Singapore, Rotterdam, Toronto, and Busan. Spotlighted by CNN’s "Ones to Watch," she has received numerous international awards, including Best Southeast Asian Short Film for Dahdi (2014), and Best Director for Fonzi (2007) at the Singapore International Film Festival. Her debut feature, POP AYE, developed at Berlinale Talents, TorinoFilmLab, where it won the Production Award, and Cannes Atelier, premiered in competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. 

Cast 

Popeye: Bong 
Thana: Thaneth Warakulnuroh 
Bo: Penpak Sirikul 
Dee: Chaiwat Khumdee 
Jenny: Yukontorn Sukkijja 
Peak: Narong Pongpab 

12 Storeys 

The film depicts a day in an HDB block of residential flats in Singapore with all the action occurring within a 24-hour period. There are three main storylines: A middle-aged man has brought home a pretty young wife from China. A lonely and suicidal woman. And an overbearing brother who takes the opportunity to lord over his siblings while their parents are away. 

Duration: 1hr 42mins 

About Eric Khoo

Award winning filmmaker and Cultural Medallion recipient Eric Khoo has been credited for reviving the Singapore film industry and for putting the country onto the international film map in 1995. He was the first Singaporean to have his films invited to major film festivals: Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto and Busan.