...

oduction by Newsreader: Singapore films must reach out to an international audience - With that objective in mind a short film from Singapore has qualified for an international film festival in New Jersey, USA. The film is titled 'Certain Chapters'. Our correspondent Mogana met and spoke with the key members of the 'Certain Chapters' team. Follow-Up Introduction by Mogana: Filmmaker Abbas Akbar wanted to have a unique title and theme for his film. With that dream he created 'Certain Chapters' which is about Indian gangs in Singapore. The film's gang theme and coarse language required the film to be rated R(21). Abbas Akbar: "Before we produced the film and sourcing for a subject matter, we wanted to handle a topic that was 'beyond us'. If it was a story about 'love' or 'friendship' we could easily handle it. But, if it was about gangs that is something we know little about. We can only handle such a topic with extensive research. Plus, we wanted the circumstances in the film to appear as 'real' as possible." Mogana: 'The Director wanted his film to be comparable to the the high standard of films produced in India. Thus, sound arrangement and music composition played an important part said popular singer Shabir who was also the film's Music Director." Shabir: "For example, we can record the sound of a door closing on-location. But, we brought back footage to the studio, took a sample sound of a door closing and laid it with ambient track. Rarely is foleying and dubbing done in local films and TV productions. So its a fresh approach that took a little bit more effort." Mogana: "The production of short films require adequate funds. Impressed by the younsters' interest Producer Raj Mohammad came forward to fund the film." Raj Mohamad: "I became involved with this project 'Certain Chapters' for two (2) reasons. Firstly, I wanted to take the opportunity to encourage these youths who showed immense passion for their art. Secondly, the film had a good message that illustrated the consequences of youths who neglect their studies and roam the streets." Conclusion by Mogana: "''Certain Chapters' will be screened at the 3rd New Jersey Independent South Asian Cinefest. The film festival scheduled to take place next month will feature films from countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It is a indeed a proud moment for us that a short film from Singapore has managed to qualify for the first time at the festival." The above is translated text (Tamil - English) for the news clip on 'Certain Chapters' that appeared on Mediacorp Vasantham's Tamil News, Thursday, 03 September 2009, 8.30pm & 11.30pm (Encore). Vasantham is a free-to-air Indian-language channel supported by Singapore's Media Development Authority's Public Service Broadcast Scheme. The channel's local and foreign programmes are primarily in Tamil and aired seven (7) days, 69 hours a week. Certain Chapters Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/CertainChapters