Singapore Dreaming

Singapore Dreaming is an international film made in 2006, directed by Colin Goh and Woo Yen Yen. The film stars Richard Low, Lim Yu-Beng, Yann Yann Yeo, Serene Chen, and Dick Su. Singapore Dreaming is in Mandarin and English with English subtitles. This film truly encapsulates the spirit, ambition, and challenges faced by Singaporeans in today's society; it provides viewers a rare and intimate insight into this unique spectrum of the city-state that blends tradition and modernity.

The plot revolves around the struggles of a family as they navigate their dreams in a society that is prospering and progressing at a rapid pace. The film highlights the aspirational and materialistic society of Singapore and its impacts on the individual, moral, and cultural values of its inhabitants.

Richard Low plays the role of Poh Huat, who is the head of the family. Poh Huat is an unsuccessful businessman who has a dream of a prosperous and comfortable retirement life, but he is frustrated by the reality of his middle-class status. He dreams of one day winning the ‘Singapore Sweep’ lottery which he believes will help him achieve his dream of a luxury lifestyle, a life far from his monotonous and financially constrained existence.

Serene Chen plays the role of Poh Huat’s wife, Siew Luan. Serene gives a captivating performance as the resilient, dutiful, and resourceful wife who tries to balance her responsibilities — painstakingly saving for her children's future in an economy that favors the affluent, and appeasing her husband's unrealistic dreams for wealth.

The couple’s children, Meng and Lay, are at the cusp of adulthood while facing the pressures of their social setting. Meng, played by Lim Yu-Beng, lives in New York and tackles his own set of problems and insecurities as he struggles to fit into a city that is a stark contrast from his homeland. On the other hand, Yeo Yann Yann plays Lay, the naïve and impressionable young daughter, who aspires to achieve the Singaporean dream for the sake of her family. She dreams of marrying well and moving into a grand high-rise apartment, brushing away the mundane lifestyle her parents live.

Another vital character in the movie is Poh Huat’s elderly father (Dick Su). The old man lives a lonely life, disconnected from his children and yearning for the traditional Kampong lifestyle that once existed on the island before its transformation into a bustling metropolis.

Singapore Dreaming is a deeply affecting tale that showcases the desires of each member of the family, their visions of happiness, and even their individual perspective of what it means to succeed. These dreams are pitted against a society that is modern, affluent, and aspirational, where every failure becomes magnified and success is measured by material wealth.

Shot beautifully, every scene in the movie is visually appealing. The cinematography contrasts the towering skyscrapers of modern Singapore with images of traditional life and places like Toa Payoh, one of Singapore's earliest housing estates, providing an atmospheric and nostalgic backdrop to the narrative.

Culturally sensitive and universally resounding, Singapore Dreaming addresses pivotal social issues like the wealth gap, the race for material prosperity, and the resulting clash of values. It prompts viewers to question the real price of relentless progress and the moral compromises one has often to make to achieve it.

The movie does an excellent job in portraying characters that are relatable and representative of the larger society struggling between tradition and modernity. Whether it is Poh Huat's relentless stride towards materialistic achievement, Siew Luan's grounded realism, Meng's struggle against the conformities of a foreign land, or Lay's naïve ambitions, every character has something viewers can connect with.

Singapore Dreaming is a stunning cinematic depiction of dreams, aspirations, and reality, prompting its viewers to introspect about their own dreams and realities. It brings forth the question – “Is the Singaporean dream accessible and attainable for all, or is it just a distant dream?” The movie leaves the audience contemplating the different perspectives that exist and their possible answers. Blending humor and poignancy, it’s certainly a must-watch for those appreciating powerful storytelling and compelling characters.