It started with 15, now it’s 881.

Singapore filmmaker Royston Tan really has a thing for numbers.

881, his latest musical feature film with MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, is set against the colourful backdrop of Chinese 7th month getai.

It tells the story of The Papaya Sisters, two childhood friends who grew up fascinated with the glamour of getai, "We are trying to do an Asian version of Moulin Rouge, getai style... with very fanciful, strange and bizarre costumes. It’s a celebration of tackiness and tacky music and tacky fashion".

"I have always been interested in Chinese opera and getai, simply because they are very colourful. I wanted to give a brand new dimension to what getai is, through my eyes."

So why 881?

"881 when spoken in Mandarin sounds like the word 'papaya'", said Royston.

One wonders what number he will pick next. - CNA