7 Letters (2015)

7 Letters Poster

An emotive anthology by seven of Singapore's most illustrious filmmakers, celebrating SG50 through the lives and stories of Singaporeans. Directed by Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, K. Rajagopal, Royston Tan, Tan Pin Pin, Boo Junfeng, Kelvin Tong.

Film Overview
"7 Letters" is a 2015 Singaporean film, initiated by Royston Tan, who likewise worked as an organizer and a factor to the film. This film is a collection of 7 unique stories directed by 7 various directors: Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, K Rajagopal, Tan Pin Pin, Boo Junfeng, Kelvin Tong, and Tan himself. Each director had full innovative control to deliver a special narrative about identity, history, and the deep-running currents of love, relationships, and hope in Singapore.

Property and Concept
The concept of "7 Letters" is rooted in marking Singapore's 50 years of self-reliance. Each brief movie denotes a director's genuine 'love letter' to Singapore, infusing personal experiences, psychological contour of the dynamic society, and the developing identity of their homeland. These shorts provide a cinematic illustration of the distinct Singaporean narrative, stimulating strong nostalgia and an extensive sense of nationwide pride.

Individual Stories
Eric Khoo's "Cinema" remembers the golden era of Malay movie theater throughout the 1950s and '60s. Jack Neo's "That Girl" is a nostalgic story about family and conventional worths. "The Flame", by K Rajagopal concentrates on a retiring Tamil instructor who tries to work out between tradition and modernity at his grand son's wedding.

Tan Pin Pin's "Pineapple Town" provides an intriguing point of view on the relationship between Singapore and Malaysia, portraying a woman visiting her separated twin sis who lives throughout the border. Boo Junfeng's "Parting", a mild tale about a senior man preparing to leave his old Kampong home, comes to grips with the themes of memory and displacement.

Kelvin Tong's "Grandma Positioning System (GPS)" carries a light-hearted narrative about a granny's daring journey to her old home. Lastly, Royston Tan's "Bunga Sayang" is a heartfelt story of a young boy who befriends his neighbor, an elderly Malay female.

Impact and Reception
This omnibus film acts as a milestone in Singapore's cinematic history due to its production scale and profound expedition of Singaporean identity. "7 Letters" was met widespread recognition, celebrating the complexities of the Singaporean experience drawn through distinct tales of love, memory, and belonging.

Despite the subtitles interpretation for non-Chinese and non-Malay speaking audience, the stories show the heart and soul of Singaporean life and provoke deep beliefs that transcend language barriers. The film only had a restricted release in Singaporean movie theater but was plainly included in different film festivals, consisting of the Busan International Film Festival and the Singapore International Film Festival, strengthening the movie's crucial place in the Southeast Asian cinematic landscape.

Conclusion
"7 Letters" victories in painting a vibrant image of Singapore's complex society, showing the interconnected hairs of love, household, friendship, identity, modification, and memory. Each director's distinct storytelling method contributes to supplying a holistic representation of Singapore's rich cultural heritage and constant change over the years. The film resonates on various levels, whether engaging the audiences through fond memories or supplying a discerning insight into the developing cultural scene, making it an engaging watch and a stunning homage to Singapore.

Top Cast

  • Nickson Cheng
    Kang ('Pineapple Town')
  • Juliette Binoche (small)
    Juliette Binoche
    Elle ('Cinema')
  • Rianne Lee
    Michelle 6 years old ('Pineapple Town')
  • Lydia Look (small)
    Lydia Look
    Ning ('Pineapple Town')
  • David Chua
    Fan Fan Law ('Cinema')
  • Nadiah M. Din
    The Actress ('Cinema')
  • Hamidah Jalil
    Older Actress ('Cinema')
  • Lim Poh Huat
    Pontianak ('Cinema')
  • Brien Lee
    Ah Fa ('That Girl')
  • Josmien Lum
    Ah Shun ('That Girl')
  • Sebastian Ng
    Ah Cai ('That Girl')