One film for Singapore's 50th year from seven top local directors, including Eric Khoo and Jack Neo

Filmmaker Royston Tan. Seven local top directors are coming together to make a film to celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary next year. Led by Tan (881, 2007), the movie will be an omnibus of seven short stories to celebrate Singapore and its p
Filmmaker Royston Tan. Seven local top directors are coming together to make a film to celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary next year. Led by Tan (881, 2007), the movie will be an omnibus of seven short stories to celebrate Singapore and its people. -- PHOTO: THE BUSINESS TIMES FILE

Seven local top directors are coming together to make a film to celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary next year. Led by Royston Tan (881, 2007), the movie will be an omnibus of seven short stories to celebrate Singapore and its people.

The other award-winning film-makers involved are Eric Khoo (12 Storeys, 1997), Jack Neo (Ah Boys To Men, 2012), Kelvin Tong (It's A Great Great World, 2011), Tan Pin Pin (Singapore GaGa, 2005), Boo Junfeng (Sandcastle, 2010) and K. Rajagopal (I Can't Sleep Tonight, 1995).

The film, which marks the first time the seven are working together, is set to be released in the middle of 2015. Boo and Rajagopal were previously involved in the indie omnibus Lucky 7 (2008), a collaborative effort from seven local film-makers.

Royston Tan, 37, whose works include youth drama 15 (2003), says: "All seven of us hope that this collaboration can inspire everyone to reflect on our nation's journey, revel in how far we have come, and look forward to a brighter future."

The project is commissioned and fully funded by the Media Development Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Film Commission. More details on the film, such as stories and cast and production budget, will be announced at a later date.

Royston Tan adds: "I like to think that the project is a microcosm of the Singapore story. We all have diverse film-making styles, we all see different aspects of Singapore and its 50-year journey in our unique ways, and yet it has given us a common sense of purpose."

Neo, 54, says of his part in the collaborative project: "Royston has said that as I'm more familiar with the 1960s, he has suggested that I work on a story set in that period."

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