Category: Multimedia

by Tan Ming Tuan (CNM Year 3 student)

The Films for Social Change series kicked off on Feb. 25 with a screening of Sandcastle by Singaporean filmmaker Boo Junfeng. “Sandcastle,” the 2010 film by Singaporean director Boo Junfeng, is the first Singaporean film screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week. The film follows 18-year-old En as he grapples with impending military enlistment and a series of revelations that challenge his worldview, including family dynamics, first love, and his father’s activist past. Through its compelling narrative, “Sandcastle” explores themes of identity and memory against the backdrop of Singaporean society.

Films for Social Change is an initiative by the Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE), a health communication research centre based in the National University of Singapore.

Films can be a powerful medium to bring about social change, simply by showing us stories that would otherwise go unnoticed. This week, CARE rubbed shoulders with notable Singaporean filmmakers Boo Junfeng and Tan Pin Pin, who came down to NUS for screenings of their films and to chat with the audience. The common thread running through both of the films screened was one of individual histories which often differ from official accounts. More about the screenings and Q&A’s to come!