881 Review

I was lucky enough to finally get my hands on a DVD copy of the hit Singaporean movie '881' ( wikipedia entry), which was the top grossing Asian film in Singapore this year.

Its a musical comedy about two girls who struggle to become hit singers in Singapore's 'Getai'  (歌台) performance scene.  Getai is basically street stage performances that are popular in Singapore during the 'Hungry Ghost Festival' (中元節) in the summer time.  Originally it was apparently based on Chinese opera, Hokkien folk songs, Chiuzhou or Fujian traditional music,  but now includes modern songs and costumes as well.

As I'm sure most of you were as unfamiliar with this aspect of Singaporean culture as I was,  so the film is a bit confusing at the begging... feels a bit too local for you to really appreciate, the language barrier is difficult to decipher too... I understand english and mandarin,  but not hokkien, Fujianhua, malay or singlish or whatever it is they keep switching between,  so subtitles are a MUST for this one...   but I guess thats the way Singapore works. :-P

But regardless, as the film goes and the characters of the girls (the 'Papaya Sisters') develop,  you get swept up in universal human feelings and situations and you can enjoy it even if you're not from Singapore.

The singing and dancing are entertaining,  in some cases they're just showing their stage performances and in other cases its the standard 'hey everyone, lets all spontaneously break into song!'  kind of thing you see in most classic  Western Musicals.  There are lots and lots of musical scenes as well...  (which is why they had to come out with two soundtrack releases).

I think the most impressive single thing about the film are the costumes. They must have gone through about 100 costumes for each character in this film....  in some cases the costumes change numerous times in the same song... and there are dozens...  its a shame that the film didn't win the Golden Horse for best costume.  I've seen 'Lust, Caution',  the costumes were nice, but nothing compared to '881'.

Its primarily a comedy,  and at some points its a bit over-the-top comedy:   they use some special effects and shoot lasers and qi lightning bolts in their battle with a rival Getai group...  but the film has its serious moments too...  personally I like to keep my comedies and my really serious melodramas separate, but like many films these days,  '881' has some of both.  I guess some people like it that way.  I'm sure from an actor's point of view, the emotional scenes are much more interesting to do. :-P

All of the actors do a pretty good job. Liu Lingling plays the Papaya sisters' auntie/costume designer, Qi Yuwu plays her deaf mute son (who somehow has a drivers license?!),  and the Papaya sisters are played by Yeo Yann Yann and Mindee Ong.   Mindee is actually an official artist here on Alivenotdead.com,  check out her blog here:

She is really into using her AnD blog and has blogged about the film and her experiences promoting it, etc. if you've seen the movie, please let her know what you thought of it!

Anyway, long story short,  check out this movie if you get a chance!