Unpacking the 'Singapore New Wave'

Fong, S.Y. and Ng, H. 2020. Unpacking the 'Singapore New Wave'. Asian Cinema. 31 (1), pp. 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1386/ac_00010_2

TitleUnpacking the 'Singapore New Wave'
TypeEdited issue
AuthorsFong, S.Y.
Ng, H.
Abstract

As the cinema of a small nation, Singapore cinema punches above its weight. The series of international film festival awards won by Singaporean filmmakers alongside the multiple books published on Singapore cinema since the 2010s seem to signal a revival of the industry. This editorial introduction unpacks the term ‘Singapore New Wave’ as a starting point for this special issue to raise questions about the changes that appear to be happening in Singapore’s film industry. By situating the ‘Singapore New Wave’ within global cinema, this essay argues for the importance of considering the issue of survival in the cinema of a small nation, and for an expansion of ways in which film scholars can gain the critical insights traditionally obtained from conventional new wave films. More positively, this more expansive working definition adds to broader new wave literature by exploring unconventional ways in which films can constitute or contribute to a new wave beyond traditional genres, auteurs, styles or themes associated with new wave cinema.

KeywordsSingapore cinema; Singapore new wave; national cinema; revival; new wave cinema; cinema of small nation
JournalAsian Cinema
Journal citation31 (1), pp. 3-15
ISSN1059-440X
Year2020
PublisherIntellect
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1386/ac_00010_2
Web address (URL)https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/intellect/ac/2020/00000031/00000001/art00001
Publication dates
Published01 Apr 2020

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