The Diam Diam Era Two earns $850,000 in Singapore

The comedy-drama The Diam Diam Era Two won the Singapore box office over the Chinese New Year long weekend.

Its take from its opening last Thursday to Sunday, and including sneak previews last Wednesday, was $850,000. It played across 53 screens.

In second place over the Thursday-Sunday period was the live action-animation hybrid Tom & Jerry with $650,000.

In third place was the action-comedy Detective Chinatown 3, which opened last Saturday and made $380,000 as of Sunday.

The Diam Diam Era Two belongs to a franchise centred on the Lim family and follows their story from the 1960s to the 1980s, beginning with the two Long Long Time Ago films released in 2016.

The new film is the fourth in the series and is set during the 1988 General Election, when the taxi-driver character Ah Kun, played by Mark Lee, decides to form a new political party.

The Diam Diam Era Two's director Jack Neo, 61, said in a press statement that traditional movie promotional activities such as mall appearances were out because of social distancing, so the team had to rely on online activities.

"It was most challenging. I am thankful we can use technology to keep connected, but I really miss having a live audience. I imagine that this must have been the same for most politicians during the general election last year," he added.

Some lucky readers of The Straits Times will walk away with a pair of tickets to The Diam Diam Era Two. There will be 30 pairs of movie tickets up for grabs in a lucky draw for ST readers to enjoy the movie at any Cathay Cineplexes.

Readers need only to enter their particulars at DiamDiamEraTwo. sphcontests.com.sg

The contest runs till Sunday, 11.59pm. Winners will be notified via e-mail next Monday.