Gala Premiere & Movie Review APPRENTICE 徒刑 ( Video )

Gala Premiere
It was a night of celebration. Celebrate as part of Singapore success in film making. The film was at Cannes. I did spotted some Singapore celebrities at the Gala Premiere. 

According to the Director Boo Jun Feng, it took 1 year for the casting. It also took Jun Feng 4 years to write and materialize this movie. Jun Feng mentioned on stage that the film is a labour of love. When the compere asked the casts how do they feel working with the director Jun Feng. They commented that it was amazing as Jun Feng is a soft spoken director and brilliant. Jun Feng too enjoyed working with the casts as well as the background supporting staff and when on stage, he acknowledged those who have help in the film, from France etc which happened to sit behind us. 

Jun Feng also mentioned that the film has different races and he make it color blind. I think it is truly a Singapore film which portrays our Singapore culture and multi-racial society which is what as a Singaporean or those who stay in Singapore can relate to. 

Presented by :

Akanga Film Asia
Peanut Pictures
Zhao Wei Films
Augenschein Filmproduktion
Cinema Defecto
Sun Entertainment Culture
Making Film Productions
Infinite Frameworks
ZDF Das Kleine FernsehspielArte

Written and Directed by : Boo Junfeng

Main Cast : Fir Rahman, Wan Hanafi Su, Mastura Ahmad

Supporting Cast : Koh Boon Pin, Nickson Cheng, Crispian Chan, Gerald Chew

Synopsis

Aiman is a 28-year-old Malay correctional officer who is recently transferred to the territory’s top prison. He lives with his older sister Suhaila in a modest housing estate. At his new workplace, Aiman begins to take an interest in a 65-year-old sergeant named Rahim. Soon, it is revealed that the charismatic Rahim is actually the long-serving  chief  executioner of the prison. Rahim also takes notice of the principled and diligent Aiman. When Rahim’s assistant suddenly quits, he asks Aiman to become his apprentice. Aiman tells Suhaila of his new job position, but Suhaila becomes upset, as their father was actually executed by Rahim. Aiman knew this all along. Can Aiman overcome his conscience and a haunted past to possibly take over as the next chief executioner?

Review

A strong and deep emotional movie where Aiman poured out his feeling as an apprentice of a hangman. Capital punishment is a deterrent in our region especially for possession of drugs and murder. Although the movie does spell out capital punishment by hanging but more importantly, the director hope to explore more about the affected relatives of man being hanged. 

Aiman was at first curious about the capital punishment. When he met Rahim, the hangman who hanged his father, he was emotional affected. That also affect his sister, Suhaila. As the actors are Malays, they speaked in Malay which was much more authentic and realistic. Relatives of death row prisoner of different race displayed different ways of overcoming their emotion. 

Rahim, gave a solid performance as a hangman. He faces death row prisoners with compassion. In one case where a Chinese man was going to be hang, he send Aiman to inform his wife and her family. No response from the family. During the day of the hanging, a white lie was told to the Chinese man. They even bought him a new set of clothing which was supposingly given by his wife. That makes the Chinese man journey a much more peaceful one thinking that his family have already forgive him. As a hangman, Rahim, has a responsible job to do. He make sure that the hanging process is a fast and quick death. No suffering due to problem relating to the rope and other things used during the death penalty.

Any occupation that deal with death, usually are not popular with our Asian culture. Rahim accept the fact that he will live alone without a family. I remember hearing from my parent a long time ago, that people who work in funeral parlor business, find it difficult to start a family. Nobody want to marry him or her. Death related occupation are usually not favored by anyone. 

Will Aiman continue his occupation as a hangman especially his own father was hanged. Can he overcome this emotional barrier. To make matter more complicated, Rahim, the hangman came to know that Aiman's father was being hanged by him. How is the movie going to end. Watch the show and you will know the answer. 

I shall rate this movie at 4/5. Many things does go through my mind while watching the movie. The distinct banging of prison heavy doors and the minute sounds of footsteps can have a profound effect on the audience, together with the fear of capital punishment, makes this movie a good movie to watch. 

The movie will be showing in cinema on 30 June 2016. 

Official Website

https://www.facebook.com/apprenticefilm/

Stars for the movie on stage after the screening of the gala premiere

Movie Trailer 

Singaporean Films At Cannes

Missed out on the Emirates Singapore Derby 2016 Roadshow at Capitol Piazza. The second one will be at The Lawn @ Chimjes on 1 & 2 Jul 2016

If you have missed the Emirates Singapore Derby Roadshow last weekend at Capitol Piazza, you still have a chance to visit the second roadshow at The Lawn @ Chimjes this weekend ( 1 Jul Fri & 2 Jul Sat 2016 )

Highlights of the Event :

·                Horse Pitching Competition

·                Horse patting and feeding

·                Fashion Show by Reckless Shop and Fashion House

·                Appearances of Singapore Turf Club Mascots, Racer and Clover

·                History of Emirates Singapore Derby Exhibition

·                InstaPhoto Booth

Here are some of the photos taken at the first roadshow at Capitol Piazza when I was there. 

In conjunction with the Emirates Singapore Derby, we will be running an Instagram contest starting from 20 June 2016 to 8 July 2016, 2359PM. All you have to do is to upload your best RED outfit of the day (RED OOTD) onto your Instagram and hashtag #EmiratesRedFashion & Tag @SGTurfClub and you will stand a chance to win a set of premium gift worth about S$2,000 from Emirates. *T&Cs apply

The Emirates Singapore Derby Roadshow is open to public.  Do visit the website for event schedule.

DAZZLING NEW SONG & DANCE MUSICAL GLITZ & GLAMOUR TO PREMIERE AT MARINA BAY SANDS

Singapore, 22 June 2016 – Be transported into a bygone era with a spectacular dance, drama and music production with tales from Old Shanghai to Fragrance Bay. Aptly titled, Glitz & Glamour, this stunning example of musical theatre by Dama Asia Productions has a distinct Asian flavour, reviving the rich legacy of popular Chinese music spanning from the era of Old Shanghai, the Silver Screen of Shaw Brothers and Cathay cinemas. The production makes its Singapore debut at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands from 11 August for a limited season.

Tickets are now on sale.

Performed in the style of a docu-tainment, the talented cast bring a spectacle of dance and musical classics such as heart-warming songs from the evergreen Golden Chinese Oldies (shi dai qu).

Glitz & Glamour weaves together two parallel stories that explore themes of celebrity, nostalgia, musical history and comedy in an entertaining display of theatrical flair. The plot is narrated in English and highlights the rise of the shi dai qu genre during the 1930s to 1960s. The life of the protagonist, Budding Rose, a sweet village girl, unfolds against this historical backdrop. The story of Budding Rose is a classic tale of a country girl leaving her home to fulfil her aspirations of stardom in the big city. Young and inexperienced, she enters Shanghai’s seedy nightclub scene, competing against stars like Lady Star, to seek her fame and fortune, and vying for attention in love.

The cast for the Singapore premiere includes singing sensation and theatre stalwart, Tan Soo Suan, who will play Budding Rose, and Dominic Luk will play The Man. They join Evelyn Toh as the Lady Star and Liow Jun Yi as the Secret Admirer.

Tan Soo Suan’s recent performances include Larger Than Life, I Have a Date with Spring and Butterfly Lovers – The Musical at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, and Evergreen (A Tribute to Barbara Streisand) at the Theatre Lounge Café in Kuala Lumpur. In 2013, Tan received the Boh Cameronian's Awards 2013 for the Best Actor in a Leading Role for her performance in Empress Wu. Her rendition of Eternally was featured in Tsai Ming-Liang’s film, I Don’t Want To Sleep Alone, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival 2006.

Dominic Lucien Luk studied classical music and performing arts at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore with a focus on vocal pedagogy. He moved to Boston to pursue a Master of Arts specialising in music and gender studies, and studied singing for musical theatre with Pamela Wolfe. Luk also trained in choral conducting at Harvard University. Luk’s stage credits include: Molina (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Prior Walter (Angels In America), Oscar (A Language of Their Own), John Auyong (The Weight of Silk on Skin).

Evelyn Toh graduated with a BA (Hons) in Music from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. She has won numerous vocal awards including Grand Finalist in International Vocal Competition 2004 in China, Grand Champion in the Malaysia Vocal Competition (2004), Grand Champion in the Malaysia Singapore Vocal Competition 2004, 3rd Prize in Festa Canzone The Art Song Vocal Competition 2005. Toh’s stage credits include the opera Marriage of Figaro, Tunku, The Perfect Circle, The Moon Speaks for My Heart, Siddhartha and Princess Wen Cheng.

Liow Jun Yi is a tenor who graduated from Malaysian Institute Of Arts. He has won numerous singing awards across Malaysia including a Gold Award in 11th China-ASEAN Arts Festival, and the Festival of Asian Arts. Liow performed in the leading role of Liang Shan Bo in Butterfly Lovers, which received to rave reviews. His other theatre credits include I Have A Date With Spring (2009, 2010 & 2015), The Moon Speaks For My Heart (2011 & 2013) and In Perfect Harmony - A Malaysian Musical Journey (2011).

SEASON DETAILS

CALENDAR EDITOR’S NOTE: GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Season: 11-21 August 2016
Venue: Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands
Cast: Malaysian cast


PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Performances
Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 8:00pm
Matinees Saturday: 2:00pm Sunday: 1:00pm

TICKET PRICE:
Tickets for Glitz and Glamour are priced from S$78, $98, $108, $128
* Excludes the booking fee of SGD$4 per ticket

BOOKINGS: INTERNET:
www.MarinaBaySands.com/ticketing or www.sistic.com.sg


PHONE:   +65 6688 8826

IN PERSON AT:
Marina Bay Sands Box Offices (Museum, Theatres, SkyPark, Retail Mall and Hotel Tower 1 Lobby). For more information please log onto - www.MarinaBaySands.com/ticketing

Guide Dogs Association of the Blind to form more guide dog teams with Singapore’s first Guide Dog Mobility Instructor

Photo Credit : http://guidedogs.org.sg/

SINGAPORE, 28 June 2016 – Guide Dogs Association of the Blind Ltd (GDAB) today announced that a Singaporean cadet has been selected for an intensive 18-month Guide Dog Training Course in Australia and is set to become the first accredited Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The cadet will learn how to train dogs to become qualified guides and instruct guide dog users to move about in their environment safely and effectively. Accredited GDMIs are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to assess a blind or visually-impaired person’s mobility skills, pair them with guide dogs and teach them the proper way to handle and care for their guide dogs.

“For the past ten years, GDAB has been engaging the public and blind and visually-impaired community in Singapore to pave the way for guide dog use on our small island. The empowerment enabled by these amazingly clever dogs touches our heart every day,” said Amos Miller, Chairman of GDAB. “Through our advocacy programmes and the great help of so many people, we are glad to see greater acceptance of guide dogs in public spaces and even more visually-impaired people realising their potential with the dedicated, lifelong support of guide dogs and our growing team of professionals.”

There are a total of eight guide dogs in Singapore with the eighth guide dog currently training under Zara Linehan, an accredited GDMI from Britain. Supporting the move to form more guide dog teams, GDAB will also be expanding their team of Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Instructors to empower more blind and visually-impaired people in Singapore. Beneficiaries with good O&M skills are able to live independently and may eventually consider getting a guide dog.

“I’m pleased to say that we are now stepping into a new phase of development in strengthening our capabilities with more passionate and talented locals coming on board. With a stronger team of local instructors, we look forward to seeing many more empowered and independent guide dog teams in the streets of Singapore over the coming few years,” added Miller.

In celebration of GDAB’s 10th Anniversary, a one-day event titled “Journey in the Dark” will be showcasing the special relationship between the blind or visually-impaired person and their guide dog. The event will also feature family-friendly games, fundraising activities and a lucky draw. “Journey in the Dark” will be open to the public on 10 July 2016, Sunday, at Causeway Point atrium between 12pm to 8.30pm.

For more information on GDAB, please visit www.guidedogs.org.sg. To make a donation, please visitwww.give.asia/charity/guide_dogs_association_of_the_blind_ltd.

About Guide Dogs Association of the Blind Ltd

Guide Dogs Association of the Blind Ltd (GDAB) is a non-profit voluntary welfare organisation founded in 2006. It focuses on enhancing the quality of life for blind and visually-impaired people in Singapore through the provision of training and rehabilitation programme such as Orientation & Mobility and Guide Dogs Programme. The organisation also actively advocates for an inclusive society where every blind and visually-impaired person is empowered for independent living. Till date, GDAB has served more than 160 blind and visually-impaired people and has successfully paired four Guide Dog teams. GDAB is an associate member with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and holds the Institute of Public Character status.

RINGS.TV Announces Singapore’s Newest Interactive Mobile Broadcasting Platform

Watch live stream events anytime, anywhere and engage with audiences in real-time

Singapore-based technology group, Mozat Pte Ltd announces RINGS.TV, Singapore’s first interactive mobile broadcasting platform for live streaming of events, concerts, performances and conferences. With over 45,000 downloads to date, this next-generation mobile app allows viewers to watch and interact with live performances on the go. Available worldwide, this free app can be downloaded on both Android Google Play and Apple App Store, for viewers to discover great events wherever they are.

Built with a streamlined interface and designed to satisfy ease of use, video content on RINGS.TV can be watched for free and are sorted by recommendation, popularity or time. Users are able to:

1. Access Live Events, happening both locally or internationally in real-time.
2. Interact through live chat with comments, likes, sending gifts or shares.
3. View a list of upcoming events and register their interest to receive notifications when it goes live.
4. Watch replays at their preferred time

RINGS.TV features a wide range of specially designed functions to enable live engagement with the audience. These include:

• Search and Follow live events, channels, and friends to build your own virtual community
• Sharing via instant messaging and social media platforms
• Send a virtual Gift in the live stream chat to show your appreciation
• Coins can be purchased or acquired at no cost by participating in daily challenges
• Select content based on interest categories such as news, politics, music, education, science and sports
• Experiential technology with 360 degree video

RINGS.TV will be launching their latest innovation, 360° technology for live streaming. This technology uses a single camera to capture a 360° panoramic video, offering audiences a fully immersive viewing experience.

Bryan Loh, Chief Operating Officer of RINGS.TV said, “With our expertise in developing innovative technology, RINGS.TV aims to bring live video streaming to a mass audience. Using mobile technology, this platform will connect global audiences to engage with international events that they may not have had access to previously. We strive to push the boundaries with our research and development, and our breakthrough in 360 degree technology continues to bring new and unique experiences directly to our audience.”

Review
I have installed the apps on my ipad. Make sure you select it as an iphone apps when you are using your ipad. Otherwise you will not be able to find the apps under the ipad apps. There are a good selection of categories of live broadcasts such as news, sports, entertainment etc. 

As I am using my home broadband connect, there is no delay and it is quite good. I have yet to try it out of my home using my 4G connection. 

A useful apps if you are unable to attend the event and still able to view it live at Rings.TV, provided the event is broadcast live. 

Your chance to try the Rings.TV apps out at the coming NPark live streaming of the following events. Below are the details. 

RINGS.TV will be live streaming NParks the popular Concert Series in the Park,Rockestra®; and open mic performance,

Rockestra®

-        Date: 25 June (Sat), 18h30

-        Watch it live: http://rings.tv/share/event/ue40891

Join us for a night of good food and good music from the 50s to 90s at the second instalment of NParks Concert Series in the Park: Rockestra® on 25 June 2016 at Empress Place (Empress Lawn)! Held in conjunction with ‘Satay Night Live’, this concert promises a nostalgic experience and plenty of Satay as we bring you the golden hits of yesteryears performed by Jive Talkin’, Sebastian Tan aka Broadway Beng, Jack & Rai, Ciao Turtle, ShiLi & Adi, The Pinholes, Alia and Dee Dee.

For more information visit: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/concertseries

Live Out Loud

-        Date: 26 June (Sun), 10h

-        Watch it live: http://rings.tv/share/event/ue40890

Enjoy your own 15 minutes of fame at ‘Live Out Loud’ – NParks’ open mic performances – at Esplanade Park.

The RINGS.TV app is free to download via Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS.

About Mozat Pte Ltd
Mozat is an award-winning technology and service enterprise that develops an innovative suite of mobile apps enabling live streaming, social networking, and multi-player gaming. Mozat has won numerous industry awards, including the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ Asia Pacific, Red Herring Global Top 100, Red Herring Asia Top 100 and the Golden Oliver Award from Sony-Ericsson. Founded in 2003, Mozat is headquartered in Singapore with representative offices in China and the Middle East.

Save with the Entertainer promotion on "Hot Summer Nights" Hotel Promotion

Have you heard of the app, The Entertainer. I have not until I attended their event recently. A friend of mine told me that she had save more than S$600 on hotel stay last year.

The Entertainer is an international company offering a portfolio of worldwide buy one get one free incentives, has launched its annual 'Hot Summer Nights' hotel promotion, offering members the opportunity to enjoy a holiday for longer with amazing hotel offers. 

As my June holiday with family just got over before the event, otherwise, I would have gone for the Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok. The beautiful rooftop bar and restaurant oversee the whole of Bangkok. 

Over 120 leading hotel partners are providing unbeatable value exclusively to Entertainer members by extending their 'buy one night get one free' offers to cover mutiple night stays. Members who won an Extertainer product can now stay 2 nights and pay for one, stay 4 nights and pay for 2 or even stay 6 nights and get 3 nights free. 

These offers are available for travel until the end of August 2016 at a selection of leading international hotel brands. Depending on the hotel selected and length of stay. Entertainer members can save as much as USD $3000 in one stay.

The 'Hot Summer Nights' promotion featurs hotels and resorts throughout Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East. Destinations include Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Mauritius, Maldives, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Egypt. 

Some of the participating hotels include Conrad Hong Kong, Banya Tree Bangkok, Banyan Tree Phuket, Dusit Thani Pattaya, Conrad Koh Samui Residences The Danna Langkawi in Malaysia, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua, Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in the Maldives, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives, Fairmont Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and many more.

"The Entertainer Travel is an increasingly popular category within our portfolio; we have seen usage of hotel offers grow significantly and this year we include over 400 'buy one night get one free' offers for hotels worldwide with every Entertainer product purchased," says Donna Benton; founder and CEO of the Entertainer."We are always looking for ways to create unbeatable value for our members and Entertainer Travel and the 'Hot Summer Nights', promotion does just that."

All Entertainer members who have purchased a 2016 Entertainer product in any of the 15 country locations worldwide are able to access and redeem a "Hot Summer Nights' offer on their App. For more information, visit www.theentertainerme.com/hotsummernights

Fun awaits you at 313@Somerset - Joy Ride with LINE Friends

A comfortable ride on our MRT with our LINE friend.

If you are a fan of LINE Friends, hopped out of Somerset MRT onto the 313@Somerset Level 1 Atrium and have a fun time taking photos with the LINE Friends. Do share a joy ride with them in the various transportation channels ( MRT, Taxi, Trishaw ) found locally in Singapore. 

Having a selfie taken with a LINE friend.

Whether you are going to have a selfie with any of the LINE friends, they will be most willing to cooperate. Sink into the atmosphere of joy and be part of LINE friends celebration.

More details on the exciting events that will be happening. Read on....

313@Somerset is the first shopping mall in Singapore to launch an official account on LINE in June 2015. As part of their relaunch in partnership with LINE, 313@Somerset will be launching a set of eight (8) Carrie & Belle #BFFNoMatterWhat LINE Stickers Vol. 2 that will be made available for free downloads on the LINE Sticker Shop from 7 June 2016. This will be the first set of animated stickers that is of non-LINE characters to be launched in Singapore.

Shoppers stand a chance to win 313@Somerset shopping vouchers when they take part in the No Surcharge – Post & Win #313BFF Instagram contest or when they add 313@somerset as a friend on LINE and answer the trivia quiz on the 313@Somerset LINE official account.

Bound-for-Happy Moments with Cony & Brown mascots as the two leads from the LINE Friends family make their appearance as they meet and pose for photos with 313@Somerset shoppers:

- 10 & 17 June (Fri): 5pm & 7pm

- 11 & 12, 18 & 19 June (Sat, Sun): 4pm & 7pm

Peak-Hour Alert with Xu Bin & Aloysius Pang as shoppers can look forward to an afternoon of games and prizes with the two heart throbs on 11 June 2016 (Sat), 4pm.

Remember to head down to 313@Somerset and have a fun GSS and a joy ride with your favourite LINE Friends. Don't wait too long, otherwise, they will say bye bye to you.

The event is from 3 June 2016 to 14 August 2016.

Website : http://www.313somerset.com.sg/

I glad to have a photo taken with a cheerful LINE Friend. It just make my day a joyful one.

More friends joining in for the joyride at the bus-stop 

Waiting together with LINE friend and Blogger friend at the bus stop. 

I am glad that the trishaw can still take my weight.  

A Taxi just passed by.  

So Cute !

Remember to hastag #313GSSJOYRIDE