Unprecedented times call for unprecedented moves.
Netflix announced that 106 — yes, more than a hundred — Singapore-made films and series will be released progressively on the streaming platform starting August 1, just in time for our National Day. Prior to this epic release, there were only a handful of Singapore content in the local catalogue, including Shirkers, A Yellow Bird, Revenge of the Pontianak, Singapore Social as well as Mediacorp’s The Little Nyonya, The Dream Job and The Ultimatum.
With so many buzzy international films and TV series of 2020 facing release delays, it’s not entirely unexpected for Netflix to look into the local archives to keep its massive library fresh month on month. But to see the streaming giant give this much love to local films and television — more than we’ve ever seen since it landed in Singapore back in 2016 — is heartening, and the breath of work that Netflix has picked up shows the richness, diversity and evolution of the local film, arts and media industry.
From August 1, upcoming and existing homegrown movies and series will be housed under a special ‘Singapore, Now Streaming’ collection that can be accessed by entering “SG Now Streaming” into the search bar. The content is organised into sub-categories: ‘From a Local Lens’ (shows by notable Singaporean directors); ‘Grandfather Stories’ (Singapore nostalgia); ‘Kids Playing Marbles Upstairs’ (Singaporean horror); ‘Bring Tissue Packet’ (Singaporean drama — movies and series); ‘Best in Singapore, JB and some say Batam’ (Singaporan comedy); ‘Will You Get a BTO With Me’ (Singaporean romance); ‘Shared Over Rice’ (Singapore family shows); ‘Keep Ah Ma Occupied’ (Singapore Mandarin Shows); ‘Goes Well With Kacang Putih’ (Singaporean movies); and ‘Last Time Primetime. Now Anytime’ (Singaporean TV shows). Beyond Singapore, many of these titles can also be accessed across Southeast Asia.
Ahead, see the complete list of homegrown movies and series scheduled to drop in the next few months. Get ready the chips and popcorn.
August 1, 2020:
Ah Boys to Men II, Bring Back The Dead, Singapore Dreaming, Old Cow Vs Tender Grass, King of Mahjong, Where Got Ghost, Meeting The Giant, Just Follow Law, Love Cuts, Love Matters, The Maid,, It’s A Great Great World, Perfect Rivals, The Best Bet, I Not Stupid Too, Dance Dance Dragon, The Wedding Diary, Ghost Child, The Ghost Must Be Crazy, Homerun, I Not Stupid, 12 Lotus, I Do I Do, Rubbers, The Leap Years, Forever, Ilo Ilo, Already Famous, Wanton Mee, Banting, 12 Storeys, Kallang Roar the Movie, 3 Peas in a Pod, Be With Me, Sayang Disayang, 881, Kidnapper, Gone Shopping.
August 8, 2020:
Sandcastle, My Magic, Mee Pok Man, Money No Enough, Money No Enough Too, Gurushetram – 24 Hours Of Anger, The Teenage Textbook Movie, Wok of Life, The Tree, Liang Po Po The Movie, In The Room, Two Boys And A Mermaid, Taxi Taxi, Ah Long Pte Ltd, 18 Grams Of Love, The Songs That We Sang, Tatsumi, The Truth About Jane and Sam, Growing Up, The Price of Peace, Bunga Tanjong, Teochew family, The Wedding Game, Vijayanthi, The Matchmaker’s Match (Telemovie), Best of Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd
August 15, 2020:
To Madam With Love, Santa The Happy Ghost, Best of Don’t Worry Be Happy, Somewhere In Time, Spirit On Wheels.
August 30, 2020:
The Unbeatables I, The Unbeatables II, Unbeatables III, Best of Under One Roof, The Best of The Noose, Growing Up Season 2, Growing Up Season 3
September 15, 2020:
Vettai S1, Vettai S2, Vettai S3, Best of Right Frequency, Immortal Love, Just In Singapore, Mystery I, Mystery II, Hainan Kopi Tales, Metamorphosis, Morning Express I, Morning Express II.
September 30, 2020:
Aduh Bibikku Sr 1, Aduh Bibikku Sr 2, Return of the Condor Heroes, The Champion, Stepping Out
October 15, 2020:
The Legendary Swordsman, The New Adventures Of Wisely, The Oath, The Return of Royal Monk, The Guest People, The Royal Monk, The Golden Pillow
(Main and featured image: Netflix)
