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Singapore, 28 March 2011
Media Fiesta, a month-long media campaign for all Singaporeans, officially closed with last anchor event, Singapore Movies Under the Stars
Singapore, 28 March 2011 - Movie aficionados here were in for a treat as blasts from the past awed, tickled and spooked them out of their senses at the Singapore Movies Under The Stars over the weekend at *Scape’s PlaySpace. Hosted by the Media Development Authority (MDA) and organised by Pico Art International, it is the last of the 4 anchor events of the month-long Media Fiesta 2011 and it aims to showcase local talents while providing opportunities for Singaporeans to appreciate made-by Singapore content.
Audiences from all walks of life, different races and age groups, numbering over 1,000 turned up over the two days to catch the outdoor screening of films such as the 1978 blockbuster “Dynamite Johnson”, starring nine-year old karate champion Johnson Yap as well as Marrie Lee as the duo hunted down a Nazi adversary with the dubious name of “Kuntz”. The film was a follow-up to the previous years’ smash hit “They Call Her... Cleopatra Wong”, reportedly listed by cult director Quentin Tarantino as one of the films that inspired his work.
The waves of nostalgia did not stop there, as viewers were treated to buckets of laughter with “Mat Tiga Suku”, a 1964 Malay comedy about the adventures of Mat trying to find a life of luxury.
For younger spectators, Kelvin Tong’s “The Maid” served up the screams while the crowds enjoyed the complimentary popcorn. The movie had previously broke local box office records, making $700,000 on its opening weekend alone, in addition to receiving numerous accolades from various film festivals.
On display at the event was also the “Media Transformer”, an interactive mobile display which comprises:
1. The Future Media Showcase which offers hands-on experience with the latest media applications and technologies. Visitors will get a chance to try out newly-launched local games, such as the World of Temasek and TaiChi for All 2011 by Portege Sense; check out new media services on Next Generation National Broadband Network and create your own 3D video.
2. The Singapore Game Box where visitors can play the latest local games such as OrCganic and Tactics Anthem Online, which are also featured in the Singapore Game Box Inter-Tertiary Challenge.
3. The ABC’s of Media segment will equip visitors with knowledge about internet filtering services and parental lock options for safe media consumption. In addition, visitors can pick up cyber wellness tips and vote for their preferred content rating symbols.
The full line-up of movies on show were:
• Dynamite Johnson a.k.a. Bionic Boy II (1978)*
An exciting blockbuster from Singapore starring nine year-old karate champion Johnson Yap as the world's first bionic boy, who teams up with his sexy auntie (Marrie Lee, reprising her Cleopatra Wong character) to track down and defeat a nasty Nazi with the dubious name of Kuntz.
A sequel to 1977’s “Bionic Boy” and “They Call Her… Cleopatra Wong”.
• Being Human (2010)
Max (Mark Lee) is a hardworking but unscrupulous employee for a mildly successful slimming centre Natural Beauty. In his efforts to increase company profits, Max decides to purchase supplies from a counterfeit brand. When he was found out, Max was fired. In his retaliation, Max decides to open a rival company Max Beauty, using the same counterfeit beauty products and imported slimming pills. Max's conscience (played by Taiwanese celebrity Nono) appears to advise him against these actions but is duly ignored. Max will eventually realize that what comes around, goes around and what it means to Being Human Being.
• The Maid (2005)
During the Chinese Seventh Month, the gates of hell open and spirits are let loose. 18-year-old Rosa from the Philippines arrives in Singapore on the first day of the Seventh Month to work as a domestic maid. Then, things start going amiss. Glimpsing strange apparitions at night, Rosa soon finds herself tumbling into the world of the dead.
Broke local box office record for horror genre, making S$700,000 on its opening weekend.
Received the European Fantastic Film Festival Federation Asian Film Award at the 10th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (Best Asian Film).
• One Leg Kicking (2001)*
This is the story about a group of underdogs who form an amateur football team, the Durians, to play in a fictional local league organised by a farsighted sponsor. The prize for the winners: a trip to the 2002 World Cup Finals.
Featuring local award-winning comedians Gurmit Singh, Mark Lee, Moe Alkaff, Sharon Au and Siva Choy.
• Mat Tiga Suku (1964)
Mat, who comes from the slums, seeks shelter at an abandoned old house. The guardian of the house appears and grants him a wish. Mat wishes for an eternal life of luxury. Just before his wish was granted, he was arrested for stealing money from the bank. Upon his release from jail, Mat loses hope, until his chance encounter with a rich widow
For more information, please log on to
http://www.smf.sg/mediafiesta/2011/Pages/MoviesUndertheStars.aspx
Link to download event photos:
http://xprnet.com/Sgmoviesunderthestars/
Press Contacts:
About Media Fiesta
Media Fiesta is an annual, month-long nation-wide initiative by the Media Development Authority that provides Singaporeans with fun and engaging opportunities to experience and learn more about media, and how they can use media in a responsible and discerning way, for work, learning and play. For more information on Media Fiesta, visit www.mediafiesta.sg or www.facebook.com/mediafiesta.
About Media Development Authority (MDA)
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the development of vibrant and competitive film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and interactive digital media industries in Singapore. It has developed an industry masterplan, Singapore Media Fusion 2015 (www.smf.sg) to advance this goal. MDA also promotes a connected society, consumer choice and a pro-business environment. 
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