Director: Lee Thean-Jeen
Cast: Mark Lee, Jack Neo, Karen Neo, Afdlin Shauki, Ah-Niu, Rebecca Lim, Huang Wen Hong

Simple bliss and family harmony is essentially what every local Chinese hopes to experience over the Lunar New Year and Director Lee Thean-Jeen offers just that in this light-hearted comedy. HOMECOMING is a series of stories about family and what it means to go home. The characters in these stories come from a diverse range of generations, races, and social backgrounds and are linked through blood, friendship, and geography. This Singapore-Malaysia team effort stars Mark Lee as a demanding chef who cannot wield the same control over his daughter. Rebecca Lim plays a woman who is about to meet her in-laws from hell. Jack Neo cross-dresses again in the role of Karen Neo, while Ah Niu plays her son, who goes on a hilarious journey across the Causeway for their yearly reunion dinner. Kung hee fat choy!

Distributed by InnoForm Media Pte Ltd. [ enquiry@innoform.com.sg]

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The plan was simple. Get two guitars, a bass, a keyboard and a drumset. And rock. Five different people. One common goal: To change the face of Singapore music.

Drawing influences from bands like Ash, The Killers, Mansun, Radiohead, Kent, Suede and Interpol, The Great Spy Experiment create music that is described as ‘a champagne-fuelled cocktail of powerpop, indie, rock and dance’. As much guitar-led as it is beat-driven, with indie riffs juxtaposing irresistable pop hooks and dance textures overlaying dance-able rock-grooves, the music is created with the dancefloor in mind and the bedroom at heart. In just over three years, the band has gone from virtual unknowns to being touted as the nation’s indie darlings, on the back of incessant gigging and electrifying live performances, featuring in internationally renowned events such as the Baybeats, Singfest, Mosaic and ZoukOut festivals. In March 2007, the band travelled to the USA where they tore the stages at the South-by-Southwest Festival in Austin, as the first Singaporean representatives in the 21-year old event, as well as the San Antonio Indie Fest. In April 2007, the band travelled to the USA again, this time to perform at Singapore Day at New York’s Central Park. The Great Spy Experiment’s debut full-length album ‘Flower Show Riots’ was released in September 2007. -Last.fm

Facebook | MySpace | Last.fm | Reverb Nation | Interview

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Momo Makarim also known as Momo Latif (born 1921) came from Singapore and was a Malay singer / film actor of the 30′s to 70′s who often hummed the songs on the radio in Malaysia and Singapore. She also acted in many contemporary films with P. Romlee at a later age. She was awarded the Star medal winner of the Governor of Sarawak, Sarawak, the Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, at a ceremony in conjunction with the 86th Anniversary of the State President in Mukah on 8 September 2007. -taken from Wikipeida

Film Credits
Topeng Syaitan (Filem pertamanya) (1939), Buluh Perindu (1953), Pendekar Bujang Lapok, Mat Lanon, Mat Toyol, Si Tanggang (1961)

Music Credits
Merpati Dua Sejoli (Momo Latif & P. Ramlee), Tudung Periuk, Semenjak Berpisah (Momo Latif & P. Ramlee), Tak Jemu Menunggu, Jangan Main Mata, Kita Bersumpah (Momo Latif & Aziz Satar), Siti Zawiyah (S.M. Al Idrus & Momo Latif),
Berdendang Ria (P. Ramlee, Momo Latif & Lena Abdullah), Tinggal Kenangan, Takut Dimadu (Momo Latif & Jasni), Rayuan Mandolin, Saat Bahagia, Taat Setia, Tari Selendang (Momo Latif & Jasni), Gemala Hati.

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Established in 1981, Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. The Center for Southeast Asian Studies is proud to sponsor the following films at the 31st HIFF:

THE GAME KISS
Part of SHORTS PROGRAM #2
Dir. Paul Agusta
Indonesia 2011
9:15 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery E

BUSONG
Dir. Auraeus Solito 2011
Philippines 2011
8:00 PM | Monday, October 17 | Dole Cannery F
1:00 PM | Tuesday, October 18 | Dole Cannery B

LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES
Dir. Ian Gamazon 2011
United States/Vietnam 2011
8:45 PM | Tuesday, October 18 | Dole Cannery C

THE DANCE OF TWO LEFT FEET (ANG SAYAW NG DALAWANG KALIWANG PAA)
Dir. Alvin Yapan
Philippines 2011
6:00 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery D
4:30 PM | Monday, October 17 | Dole Cannery E

RAKENROL
Dir. Quark Henares
Philippines 2011
6:15 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery E

STAR-CROSSED LOVE
Dir. Erick Salud
Philippines 2011
9:30 PM | Friday, October 21 | Dole Cannery E
8:15 PM | Sunday, October 23 | Dole Cannery E

THELMA
Dir. Paul Soriano
Philippines 2011
2:45 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery B

THE WOMAN IN THE SEPTIC TANK
(ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK )
Dir. Marlon Rivera
Philippines 2011
5:00 PM | Thursday, October 20 | Dole Cannery E

BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
Dir. Kaz Cai, Wang Jing, Anocha Suwichakornpong
Singapore 2011
3:30 PM | Wednesday, October 19 | Dole Cannery C
11:30 AM | Saturday, October 22 | Dole Cannery A

ETERNITY
Dir. Sivaroj Kongsakul
Thailand 2010
1:00 PM | Sunday, October 16 | Dole Cannery C
3:30 PM | Tuesday, October 18 | Dole Cannery F

SAIGON ELECTRIC
Dir. Stephane Gauger
United States, Viet Nam 2011
4:30 PM | Saturday, October 22 | Dole Cannery A

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Muhammad Taufik Bin Batisah (Jawi: مهمد تيوفيك بن بتيسه) is the winner of the first season of the reality TV series Singapore Idol. He is a Singaporean of mixed Bugis and Indian descent. Taufik first started out as a singer in a local group called Bonafide playing a mixture of hip-hop and R&B with fellow rapper, Mark Bonafide.

He participated in the first season of the reality TV series Singapore Idol in 2004. On 1 December 2004, Taufik was crowned the Singapore Idol at the Singapore Indoor Stadium before an audience of more than 8,000 fans and 1.8 million viewers across the country. He scored a recording deal with Sony BMG and a management deal under Hype Records’ artiste management arm, ArtisteNetworks. It was later revealed that Taufik had won 682,000 of the 1.1 million votes cast that night, while his opponent Sylvester Sim managed 418,000 votes.

After his win, Taufik clinched a string of endorsements for brands such as Harmuni Rice, Samsung, 7-Eleven stores and HSC drinks. He even became the first Singapore artiste to endorse for the Swiss watch-maker, Swatch. He received further recognition at the Anugerah Planet Muzik 07. As well as being voted the Most Popular Singapore Artiste, his single Usah Lepaskan (Don’t Let Go) won the awards for being the Most Popular Singapore Song and the Best Singapore Song. Usah Lepaskan was the Number 1 Song of the Year on Ria 89.7FM.

In 2007, Taufik debuted his Malaysian album titled, Teman Istimewa (Special Friend) on 5 September and was the album long-awaited by the Malaysian Fiknatics (as his fans are called). Taufik produced 90% of this album and three songs are the Malay version of his earlier English songs First, Holding On and I Promise Forever. Seribu Tahun (A Thousand Years), a song which he co-wrote, swept the Malaysian radio charts after it became the theme song for Malaysia’s Channel TV3 hit drama series, Kerana Cintaku Saerah (Because Of My Love Saerah).

It had been an exuberant start for Taufik in 2010. Besides fronting the finale performance at the Chingay Parade 2010 and performing for the second consecutive time under the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea and Singapore’s NAC, he continued to earn recognition for his music. He earned the top honor roll of six major awards at the first AnugeraHitz.sg Awards, which honored the best in the local Malay music industry. 2010 also saw Taufik diversifying his art and making his theatrical debut in Dick Lee’s Fried Rice Paradise – The Musical. -taken from Wikipedia.

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The 9-minute long production is about a comic-crazy boy who befriends an Indian convenience store owner, traditionally called a “mama” shop owner, and ends up having his own superhero-inspired adventure. The film, which cost a solid $14,000 to make, gave Director Kam a good amount of grief.

“I had to shoot the film twice. The first filming was too rushed, and the mama shop owner didn’t really understand his part, “ he said, at a screening of his film at Ngee Ann Polytechnic on May 5.

Here’s a shocker for you – the Singaporean-made film has clear homosexual elements. It even qualified for the Teddy Awards, a film competition catering specifically to queer cinema.

The Indian mama shop owner is discernibly effeminate in his acting – something that was planned all along by Kam. “The film is based largely on my childhood experiences,” he explains. “I had a few homosexual friends when I was growing up, so that queer element makes the film more authentic.”

Kam had previously completed 3 short films. His first short film, Twilight Rose, was also screened at several film festivals internationally.

What can we expect from this filmmaker in the near future? “I’ve just applied for a grant from the Singapore Film Commission for another short film,” he said. “I’m not going to reveal its content to you, though, I normally wait for it to be finished.”

Giving some valuable tips on getting into international film festivals, Kam listed out a number of qualities that a budding filmmaker needs to strike it big.

“Aspiring filmmakers who are starting out need to develop a good sense of storytelling, find a pool of talented people to collaborate with, and have the perseverance to keep practising to make better and better films,” he said. “Berlin and other A-list festivals are not easy to get into. While there are some 6,000 shorts that are submitted for consideration, only some 200 plus short films get screened there.”

“Rejections are part and parcel of the process of filmmaking. But with passion, perseverance and some luck, filmmakers can create short films with compelling story ideas that are well told. Then, doors will open and film festivals will beckon.” (from theurbanwire.com)

IMDB | Moviefone | Rainbow Film Festival | Sinema.sg Review

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Many credited the band for reviving the Singapore local indie music scene. They’re proud of that, too. After all, it’s for the love of music they started this journey in 2003. It’s a blessing to bring together a group of people who share the same passion and this was what they got – So Much More Inside (2004), Hip City (2006) and their latest effort We Satellites in 2008. Always challenging and exploring new sounds with each new project, their rewards include 3 acclaimed albums, two no.1 hits and numerous top 20s -that showcase their evolution, and a whole lot of fans.

Props to the music channels for believing in and helping Electrico, also know as ECO spread their music beyond our shores and kudos to the band for working their asses off touring the Asian circuit, and flying the Singapore flag at the coveted South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Texas in 2007 while spreading some of their magic to Los Angeles at the same time.

Electrico became the first Singapore band to receive a nomination at the 2005 MTV Asia Awards and a second in 2008 which culminated in awards for the Top Local Pop Song (for Runaway) at the 13th annual COMPASS (Composers & Authors Society Of Singapore) awards – the 3rd time in as many years – which also saw Dave taking the honors for the Young Composer of the Year.

With recognition came responsibility, and the lads gave back- undertaking a community project for troubled teens in the same year. The online single Everybody’s Here – a child of the project.

Veterans in the local music scene, but definitely still learning. It helps that these self-confessed music and stage junkies, are friends before musicians. And perhaps that’s what keeps their sound evolving, adding new dimensions to their music and taking their fans along for the ride.

Electrico are – Dave Tan (vocal & guitar), Desmond Goh (bass guitar) and William Lim Jr (drums). (Taken from bands bio page)

Official Website | Facebook Page | Twitter | MySpace | Youtube | Last.fm

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Friday, March 4th, 12:00 pm, Tokioka Room (Moore 319)
Presented by Erenst Anip, Masters Student in the Department of Library Information Services (LIS)

In July 2010, Erenst went to Southeast Asia to be the LIS program’s first intern at the National University of Singapore Central Library where he was introduced to the inner workings of a premier university library in Asia. There, he learned about a different library system and organization. In this second talk story session, he will share his experience in ‘finding a missing librarian’ and being a ‘junior operative’, the library’s outreach and social media initiatives, KPIs and PMS, and Singapore’s favorite past time of ‘makan’. Update from the first talk includes internship experience and relevancy with our own library system.

Mr. Erenst Anip is a 2nd year LIS student from Indonesia. As a future academic librarian, he focuses on digital technologies and social media features to enhance the library’s appeal to the users while keeping abreast of (Southeast) Asia area studies. He is also the project manager of Hawaii’s Digital Newspaper Project, part of Library of Congress’ National Digital Newspaper Project (NDNP).

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Mavis Hee (simplified Chinese: 许美静; traditional Chinese: 許美靜; pinyin: Xǔ Mĕi Jìng; born September 27, 1974) is a Singaporean singer. She was the second runner-up and also Miss Photogenic and Miss Amity for Singapore’s Miss Chinatown Pageant 1992.

Her first album Knowingly was released in August 1994. After the release, famed Taiwanese singer-composer Jonathan Lee 李宗盛 invited her to join his production company. However, Mavis rejected the offer so that she could continue working with her mentor, Chen Jia Ming 陈佳明. Mavis went on to release other chart topping albums. Her debut album in Taiwan, Regret, propelled her to regional stardom. She was labelled “Heavenly Queen Killer” (or 天后杀手) for having beaten Faye Wong and the 4 Heavenly Kings in sales charts. Her best-selling album to date, Living By Night 都是夜归人, chalked an impressive 300,000 copies in Taiwan. Following the success, Mavis broke into the competitive Cantonese market with the release of Listen Quietly 静听精彩13首. The album topped the Hong Kong IFPI sales chart for 3 consecutive weeks, beating other Hong Kong singer, Andy Lau, Leon Lai and Sammi Cheng. She became the first Singaporean to win the Most Popular Female Singer award in HK Metro Hit awards, beating Faye Wong.

Mavis was the singer for Singapore’s National Day Parade 2000 theme song, “Shine On Me”, together with fellow Singaporean Jai. She was also appointed a cultural ambassador for China in 2001. Mavis made a conscious decision to fade out from the music scene after 2001, when her record company, What’s Music, was absorbed into Universal Music Taiwan, and the company could not accommodate her artistic integrity within commercial considerations. Some of her last public appearances were for MediaCorp, a Singapore television and broadcast station, where she recorded the hit single Watch TV with fellow Singaporean singers Tanya Chua and Stefanie Sun, and as a guest presenter at the Star Awards 2002 (her last public appearance).
From 2003 to 2004, she traveled around Italy.

In June 2006, Mavis hit the headlines in Singapore when she was arrested after harassing two hotel guests at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. She was warded at Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health, and was diagnosed with clinical depression after a stay of four weeks. She was not charged by the police. In October 2006, she came out to explain her actions in a series of interviews with the Singapore media, explaining that she was on the road to recovery. She also thanked her fans for their immense support all these years. -taken from Wikipedia

Official Site | Facebook Fan Page | Last.fm | Article on Mental Breakdown

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