As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the globe to uncover hidden gems of cinema, I find myself profoundly moved by the forthcoming project, “Crocodile Rock.” The passion and dedication of Singaporean filmmaker Kirsten Tan resonates deeply with my own journey as a film enthusiast.
New York-based Singaporean filmmaker Kirsten Tan is set to direct “Crocodile Rock,” a film that explores the underground lesbian club culture of 1990s Singapore. The project is currently being presented at the Busan Asian Project Market (APM).
Speaking as a passionate cinephile, let me share my thoughts about Tan’s groundbreaking film debut, “Pop Aye” (2017), which garnered international recognition, including accolades at Sundance and Rotterdam. My next adventure lies in the captivating world of “Crocodile Rock,” a tale that follows the journey of a homeless teenage drifter named Pepsi through the hypnotic underbelly of lesbian club culture. This narrative cleverly weaves together the stories of Pepsi, an elusive bar owner, and an ardent student activist, creating a fascinating tapestry that I’m eager to explore.
Tan mentioned that the song ‘Crocodile Rock’ was inspired by a well-known lesbian bar in Singapore that shared the same name, which operated during the 90s. He discovered this establishment at a dinner party, where an older lesbian friend shared stories about a vibrant community of women who embraced their identities fully through this bar. Tan realized shortly afterwards that if he hadn’t attended that dinner party, he would have been unaware of this significant piece of Singaporean LGBTQ+ history, and he is just one generation removed.
Tan expressed that the erasure of queer identities is a genuine issue and history often overlooks us. The repeal of Section 377A in Singapore [in 2023] has made it safer to produce a film with queer themes. Tan aspires to contribute significantly to filling in the blanks in the narrative of queer history, so that our shared aspirations, challenges, ambitions, and setbacks will become clearer within the broader context of time.
Tan’s research for the movie included conducting interviews with more than 20 lesbians aged 50 and above who experienced the politically turbulent 1990s in Singapore. Although the film is a work of fiction, it incorporates these firsthand experiences, which are depicted against the context of an era marked by frequent police raids on gay communities and activist spaces, as Tan explained, due to concerns over the AIDS crisis, Western influence, and unconventional ideologies.
Tan pointed out that ‘Crocodile Rock’ is openly queer, but it also resonates with broader ideas about nomads and misfits seeking affection and belonging, in a period marked by social estrangement amidst the vibrant, yet impersonal, urban jungle of an Asian metropolis.
Film producer Tan Si En, whose “Dont Cry, Butterfly” recently garnered three awards at Venice, is supporting this venture. As a queer individual raised in Singapore, Tan Si En explained that their experiences were rarely portrayed in mainstream culture. However, when they encountered the script for “Crocodile Rock,” they felt understood. “This tale encapsulates moments, locations, and thoughts that have long been taboo to its people,” Tan Si En said. “It is crucial for me to bring ‘Crocodile Rock’ to life, as it marks Singapore’s inaugural historical lesbian film production.
This upcoming movie will be jointly produced by Momo Film Co, owned by Tan Si En (based in Singapore), and Kirsten Tan’s 10 Minutes Later Films (from the U.S.). The production budget has been fixed at $1.2 million, with 20% of it already secured. The plan is to start principal filming sometime between mid-year and the end of 2026.
At APM (Asian Project Market), the filmmakers are actively looking for co-producers, investors, department heads with creative vision, and a global sales agent. “Being a significant platform for Asian and international collaborative productions, we aspire to link us with a wide range of talented professionals in the film industry,” Tan Si En expressed.
The APM occurs from October 5th to 8th, happening concurrently with the Busan International Film Festival, which runs from October 2nd to 11th.
Read More
- W PREDICTION. W cryptocurrency
- AAVE PREDICTION. AAVE cryptocurrency
- PENDLE PREDICTION. PENDLE cryptocurrency
- NOT PREDICTION. NOT cryptocurrency
- SEIYAN PREDICTION. SEIYAN cryptocurrency
- Next Disney Dreamlight Valley Update Adds 2 Characters and New Star Path
- UP PREDICTION. UP cryptocurrency
- WIF PREDICTION. WIF cryptocurrency
- BABYGROK PREDICTION. BABYGROK cryptocurrency
- LTC PREDICTION. LTC cryptocurrency
2024-10-06 01:16