First Take – May 2010

Monday 3 May, 8pm
The Substation Theatre
Free Admission, Donations Welcome
Presented by The Substation Moving Images

May’s First Take will bring you on a varied journey through the relationships between sisters; the lives of migrant workers living on the streets of Singapore; the coming of age of orphans as they grow up and come to terms with the realities of life, to the invisible beauty of the sounds that surround us on a daily basis.

1. FROM A SISTER / ELICIA LOH/ 8 MIN/ 2009/ PG

Through the rantings and ravings of a transsexual prostitute, a young documentary filmmaker gains insight into the sorrows and strength behind the thick make-up. Inspired to get this voice heard, she encounters a major obstacle: getting this voice recorded on tape.

Elicia Loh found her love for directing films from studying at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communications and Information. She started directing in 2008 and has not looked back since. From A Sister is her third and latest short.

2. LIGHTS OUT/WANG ENG ENG/ 26 MIN/ 2009/ PG

Lights Out documents the lives and struggles of 3 migrant workers as they live on the streets and shelters of Singapore waiting for a solution to their problems. Like many others, they come to Singapore full of hope, but soon find themselves caught in the trap of bureaucratic loopholes and broken promises made by illegal labour agents. They end up with no work and having to live on the streets. With no money and nowhere to go, they await their turn to return home.

Wang Eng Eng is a graduate from the National University of Singapore. She is currently working full time at a local TV station, and enjoys the exploration of social issues on a day-to-day basis. She had previously produced and worked on I Love Malaya, Brother No. 2 and The Trouble With Waiting. She hopes to work on a documentary feature someday.

3. LEAVING HOME/ HEIKAL SHAFRUDIN / 12 MIN/ 2008/ PG

Abandoned, orphaned and neglected, the lives of the children residing at the Darul Ma’wa Children’s Home have been far from perfect. While the home opens its doors to any child, it only supports them until they turn 18. Now, two residents, on the cusp of turning 18, find themselves faced with the harsh reality of having to leave the family they have made and the place they have called home. With no direction, no financial support and no idea where to go next, both teens are painfully aware that there is no room for error.

Heikal has worked on various short films and commercials, some successful and others that can only be appreciated by his mother. He graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a Diploma in Mass Communication, before moving on to join a good friend at a production house, where they suffered in the name of passion. He is currently serving the nation.

4. THE SIGHT OF MUSIC/ KUN LEI GOH/ 4 MIN/ 2010/ PG

Miracles happen on a daily basis. Take a breather and listen to the bigger picture.

Kun Lei is a final year student of the School of Arts, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University. His short film “My Home” was shown at the National Day Parade 2009.

5. MY SISTER’S SECRET/ LIM JIA YUN/ 15 MIN/ 2010/ PG

8-year-old Jenny finds out that her sister has a boyfriend. Due to her misinterpretation of her mother’s explanation to her about boy-girl-relationships, she thinks her sister is in some sort of trouble and, possibly, pregnant.

Lim Jia Yun graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Film, Sound and Video and majored in directing. ‘My Sister’s Secret’ is her final year thesis film. She is currently studying in Chapman University Singapore, doing a BFA in Creative Producing. She hopes to become a screenwriter and possibly a director in the future.