MediaCorp Raintree Pictures' "881" crosses S$3m mark at box office
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 13 September 2007 2144 hrs

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Singapore-made movie "881" has crossed the S$3 million mark at the box office, making it the highest grossing Asian film in Singapore for 2007.

The film is about Getai singers (stage singers) who perform during the Chinese 7th Lunar Month, and is produced by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures.

The wishes of the cast and crew have finally come true after the movie raked in S$3 million in ticket sales.

Liu LingLing, Actress, "881", said: "S$3 million! Impossible. I'm so happy. I'm so happy. I can't tell you more because my English isn't very good. But thank you for supporting this movie! This is my first movie where I played the lead actress. So thank you very much. It actually shows that Singaporeans actually like watching a fat lady on the big screen!"

"881" is the first commercial feature film by critically acclaimed Singapore director Royston Tan.

Royston Tan said: "My last two films were not box office hits. So it is a very good present for my birthday. I really want to thank the general public. Over this period of time, they've been giving us and (the) crew a lot of love, so a very big thank you."

Kenneth Tan, CEO, Golden Village Cinemas, said: "It has also attracted a wide spectrum of people who probably don't normally go for Getai performances. Young people (are) attracted to the younger talent in the film.

"You don't need to do something either high art only or something that is based on the conventional man in the street coffeeshop talk. If you make a film on any theme any subject matter that strikes a chord with a broad base of population, people are going to watch the film."

Very few Singapore-made movies actually hit the S$2 million mark in local cinemas and these are mostly movies by comedian director Jack Neo.

His previous films took in between S$3 million to S$5 million.

In 1998, his "Money No Enough" made S$5.8 million, "I Not Stupid Too" made S$4.2 million in 2006 and "I Not Stupid" S$3.8 million.

His 2007 project "Just Follow Law" about Singapore's civil servants took home about S$2.7 million.

MediaCorp Raintree Pictures' "881" has gone even beyond that but it is not just about earnings at the box office.

The film is set to hit new heights. "881" has been invited to take part at the prestigious Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea.

It will be showcased at a new section called the Gala Presentation, exclusive only to four internationally acclaimed movie directors. - CNA/ch