Sinema Export! “Boys On Both Sides of The Camera”3 min read

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The second edition of Sinema Export! features two young directors to look out for – Michael Tay & Abbas Akbar.

Both directors, born in 1983, directed and starred in their respective short independent films and subsequently used these films to carve out a commercial career.

Sinema Export! is an event programme that screens award-winning and acclaimed selection of local films which were supported by Sinema and Singapore Polytechnic at international film festivals and curated programmes.

This month’s Sinema Export! will be on 16 November, 8.00pm at Sinema Old School (11B Mount Sophia, B1-12, Singapore 228466). Admission is free!

Ticket booking is available here. The session is rated R(21) and entry is restricted to persons aged 21 years old and above.

Both directors will be in attendance with selected cast. The Q&A session will be moderated by Nicholas Chee, Managing Director of Sinema.

This programme is hosted by Sinema Old School and curated by academic staff and students from Singapore Polytechnic, School of Architecture and the Built Environment (Diploma in Integrated Events & Project Management).

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Programme Highlights
1. WET SEASON
Michael Tay | Mandarin | 27mins | NC16 (Some sexual references)

Shot, edited, narrated, directed and starring Michael Tay, this almost-one-man production is made as a tribute to the filmmaker’s real-life father who passed away eight years ago.

~~~ International Film Festivals ~~
Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2009
Best Film (Experimental), Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentary & Short Films 2008, Egypt
Best Short Film, Jogja NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2008, Indonesia
Special Jury Prize, Singapore International Film Festival 2008
Official Selection, Sundance International Film Festival 2009
Official Selection, Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival 2008, Hawaii, USA
Official Selection – InDPanda International Short Film Festival 2008, Hong Kong
Official Selection, Singapore Short Cuts 2008

2. TIE XIN (RESPIRATOR)
Michael Tay | Mandarin | 19 mins | NC16

TIE XIN (RESPIRATOR) is about ethics or rather the lack of it. Good will is hard to cultivate these days and people can get exploited easily because of it. This short film is dedicated to those who have given and to those who only want to profit. It is also a reminder that every life has a price.

To save her seven-year old son from dying of a rare heart disease, a single mother undergoes a bizarre operation but recovers only to realize the terrifying consequences that come along with it.

~~~ International Film Festivals & Curated Programmes ~~~
Curator’s Pick, Sinema Showoff! The Oriental Show, 2010, Singapore
Official Selection, Pusan International Film Festival 2009, South Korea
Official Selection, InDPanda International Short Film Festival 2010, Hong Kong
Official Selection – Panorama Shorts, Singapore International Film Festival 2010
Curator’s Pick, Sinema Showoff! The Oriental Show, SingaporeCurator’s Pick, Sinema Showoff! The Oriental Show, Singapore

3. CERTAIN CHAPTERS

Abbas Akbar | Tamil, Chinese Dialect (Hokkien) & Malay | 27mins | R(21) (Coarse language & gang theme)

Inspired by a series of true events the film unveils the truth as it is, recreating the unforgiving and wanton world of Indian gangsters in Singapore. The story revolves Jegan (Abbas Akbar), who suffers from an identity crisis, unconsciously wanting an image in the eyes of others.

He acts upon the words of his mentor and gang leader ʻHougangʼ Veera who imports radical ideologies into him. Jeganʼs ways lead him to destruction when he causes an innocent manʼs death and bashes up a young school boy.

~~~ International Film Festivals & Curated Programmes ~~~
Official Selection, Sinema Showoff! Experimental Shorts II, 2009, Singapore
Nominee – Best Short Film, 5th Asian Festival of First Films, Singapore 2009
Official Selection, Vancouver Singapore Film Festival 2010
Official Selection, New Jersey Independent South Asian Cinefest 2009, USA
Official Selection, Stepping Stone Film Festival 2009, Chennai, India
Official Selection, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2009, Nepal
Official Selection, Singapore Short Film Awards, Singapore 2010
Official Selection, Purnama 2 ““ A Screening of Short Films, Singapore 2009
Official Selection, Anything Goes, Anything Shows! @ Palate Palette (October) 2009, Malaysia