Lion City marks the first Chinese production to be made by the former Cathay-Keris Films, a subsidiary under Hong Kong's Cathay Organization, which is based in the former Malaya-Singapore during the pre separation days. Labelled as the first Malaya-Singapore Chinese blockbuster, it was directed by the first time director Yi Sui. Under the recent restoration project, Lion City was finally able to see the daylights again, where it was one of the main highlights in the recent Spotlight of Singapore Cinema 2015, showcasing a series of classics shot in Singapore during the early heydays in the 1950s to the late 1970s.
Featuring a list of fresh casts from Singapore, Lion City serves as a reflection on the development of Singapore, right from the days it is still under the British Colonial rule to moving towards independence in 1965. The plot is simple yet complex: Shao Ming (Pan En), the son of a rubber factory, falls in love with factory worker Feng Ling (Orchia Wu), after seeing how Feng Ling handles a dispute among the co- workers. While Feng Ling is hesitant to accept Shao Ming's offer to become friends, their passion towards reading and visiting the beach and see the development of Singapore binds them together. Eventually, both of them develop their relationship to the next step by getting married, which they have to overcome the pressures from parents, since they do not believe in love can be found across different social class and status, especially when Feng Ling's mother have seen from their neighbors ended up in a disastrous ending when she shares the same situation as Feng Ling.
While the romance seems to be the lead that keeps the story moving forward, Yi Sui wants to reflect the social norms and the development of Singapore during the era. This can be seen from the opening scene, which features the current status of Singapore. Various landmarks, such as the Labour Park (also known as the Kallang Park), the Causeway that links Singapore and Malaya, Fort Canning Hill, government residential estates along Dakota Crescent were featured in the film. All of these were accompanied by the theme song, which reflects how Singapore developed under Malaya before separation.
As the story develops, you will be introduced to Feng Ling's family members and how everyone is rushing off for work by taking bus after a quick breakfast. After work, we are introduced to the post dinner activities for everyone: Feng Ling enriching her knowledge by attending night classes; her two brothers, Zhi Hai and Zhi Xiong, headed to the union for meetings and visiting bars respectively. This give Yi Sui a good opportunity to expand the plot through the further encounters from Zhi Hai and Zhi Xiong: Zhi Hai was mistaken as a cigarette smuggler when some smuggled cigarettes were found in his fishing boat; Zhi Xiong had a brief rendezvous with Daisy, a bar hostess, which makes him realized that they are unable to develop the relationship. For their parents, listening to the radio to know about the upcoming general elections and comparing the pros and cons of the political party is what keeps them entertained after a hard day's work. All of these are seen as part and parcel of the daily life among the commoners, as portrayed by Yi Sui.
Shao Ming, on the other hand, shares his passion for swimming, sailing and visiting the beach with Feng Ling. Enjoying parties with his friends occasionally and driving Feng Ling up to the hills for dates is a reflection of the lifestyle lead by the people living in the upper level of the society ladder. All of these were made meaningful through Feng Ling's explanation on why she loves to visit the hills during her free time, where she gets to see how rapidly Singapore develops.
Most importantly, Yi Sui has turned Lion City into a microscopic reflection on the introduction of rules and regulations by the government, where social norms become deviance. Audience viewing Lion City using today's social norms will find it odd, or even hard to believe, but interesting at the same time. For instance: neighborhood cafés serves coffee, beers, juke box and pinball machines with beautiful female staffs is a common sight, where folks will hang out after a hard day's work. However, juke box and pinball machines were banned after the ruling party steps in, which they see it as deviance that encourages flirting and gambling. Also, people were educated in Lion City that voting is a secret, which can be seen from how Zhi Hai discussing with his parents on what needs to be done during the upcoming election.
Within a duration of 2 hours, audience were given treats on the view of Singapore during the post-war colonial era, together with several casts and a scattered storyline. Nevertheless, Lion City serves as a very important movie that reflects Singapore's development, right from the manufacturing industry, housing issues to recreation. This gains an important portfolio on Lion City's profile as more than just a movie that showcases romance across social class. Most importantly, it captures and witness the changes of Singapore, which leaves a legacy for the future generations.
Featuring a list of fresh casts from Singapore, Lion City serves as a reflection on the development of Singapore, right from the days it is still under the British Colonial rule to moving towards independence in 1965. The plot is simple yet complex: Shao Ming (Pan En), the son of a rubber factory, falls in love with factory worker Feng Ling (Orchia Wu), after seeing how Feng Ling handles a dispute among the co- workers. While Feng Ling is hesitant to accept Shao Ming's offer to become friends, their passion towards reading and visiting the beach and see the development of Singapore binds them together. Eventually, both of them develop their relationship to the next step by getting married, which they have to overcome the pressures from parents, since they do not believe in love can be found across different social class and status, especially when Feng Ling's mother have seen from their neighbors ended up in a disastrous ending when she shares the same situation as Feng Ling.
While the romance seems to be the lead that keeps the story moving forward, Yi Sui wants to reflect the social norms and the development of Singapore during the era. This can be seen from the opening scene, which features the current status of Singapore. Various landmarks, such as the Labour Park (also known as the Kallang Park), the Causeway that links Singapore and Malaya, Fort Canning Hill, government residential estates along Dakota Crescent were featured in the film. All of these were accompanied by the theme song, which reflects how Singapore developed under Malaya before separation.
As the story develops, you will be introduced to Feng Ling's family members and how everyone is rushing off for work by taking bus after a quick breakfast. After work, we are introduced to the post dinner activities for everyone: Feng Ling enriching her knowledge by attending night classes; her two brothers, Zhi Hai and Zhi Xiong, headed to the union for meetings and visiting bars respectively. This give Yi Sui a good opportunity to expand the plot through the further encounters from Zhi Hai and Zhi Xiong: Zhi Hai was mistaken as a cigarette smuggler when some smuggled cigarettes were found in his fishing boat; Zhi Xiong had a brief rendezvous with Daisy, a bar hostess, which makes him realized that they are unable to develop the relationship. For their parents, listening to the radio to know about the upcoming general elections and comparing the pros and cons of the political party is what keeps them entertained after a hard day's work. All of these are seen as part and parcel of the daily life among the commoners, as portrayed by Yi Sui.
Shao Ming, on the other hand, shares his passion for swimming, sailing and visiting the beach with Feng Ling. Enjoying parties with his friends occasionally and driving Feng Ling up to the hills for dates is a reflection of the lifestyle lead by the people living in the upper level of the society ladder. All of these were made meaningful through Feng Ling's explanation on why she loves to visit the hills during her free time, where she gets to see how rapidly Singapore develops.
Most importantly, Yi Sui has turned Lion City into a microscopic reflection on the introduction of rules and regulations by the government, where social norms become deviance. Audience viewing Lion City using today's social norms will find it odd, or even hard to believe, but interesting at the same time. For instance: neighborhood cafés serves coffee, beers, juke box and pinball machines with beautiful female staffs is a common sight, where folks will hang out after a hard day's work. However, juke box and pinball machines were banned after the ruling party steps in, which they see it as deviance that encourages flirting and gambling. Also, people were educated in Lion City that voting is a secret, which can be seen from how Zhi Hai discussing with his parents on what needs to be done during the upcoming election.
Within a duration of 2 hours, audience were given treats on the view of Singapore during the post-war colonial era, together with several casts and a scattered storyline. Nevertheless, Lion City serves as a very important movie that reflects Singapore's development, right from the manufacturing industry, housing issues to recreation. This gains an important portfolio on Lion City's profile as more than just a movie that showcases romance across social class. Most importantly, it captures and witness the changes of Singapore, which leaves a legacy for the future generations.