The Diam Diam Era

The Diam Diam Era (Chinese: 我们的故事之沉默的年代) is a 2020 Singaporean comedy film directed by Jack Neo. Set in 1980s, it tells the story of the Lim family moving from kampong to HDB flats. Through major policy changes and political climate in the era, they experience great changes in their lives and environment.

The Diam Diam Era
Directed byJack Neo
Written by
  • Jack Neo
  • Ivan Ho
Produced byBoi Kwong
Starring
CinematographyMalek Hue
Edited byYim Mun Chong
Loo Chean Hoong
Music byMatthew Teng
Production
companies
J Team Productions
MM2 Entertainment
Distributed byGolden Village Pictures
Release date
26 November 2020 (Singapore)
Running time
107 minutes
CountrySingapore
Languages
  • Mandarin
  • Hokkien
  • English
Box officeS$1,515,868[1]

It was released on 26 November 2020 in Singaporean cinemas.[2]

The film stars an ensemble cast, which includes Mark Lee, Richie Koh, Danny Lee, Mei Xin, Henry Thia, Wang Lei, Benjamin Josiah Tan, Regina Lim, Yap Hui Xin, Charmaine Sei and Tasha Low.

Synopsis

The third film of the Long Long Time Ago film series is set from the year 1979 until the late 1980s. It follows the story of the Lim family's second generation moving from kampong to HDB flats, as they experience great changes in Singapore's environment, policies and livelihood.

After the death of his father Si Shu (Wang Lei), his mother Si Shen (Ng Suan Loi) and his older sister Lim Zhao Di (Aileen Tan), Lim Ah Kun (Mark Lee) has turned over a new leaf and become a taxi driver. He often argued with his son, Lim Yong Xin (Danny Lee) and nephew, Phua Shun Fa (Richie Koh) due to differences in their views because of generation gap. During the time, Singapore was going through a number of reform policies, such as the forced closure of Chinese schools and the introduction of Singaporean elite system.

The film also focused on the troubled relationship between Yong Xin and Shun Fa as the former is an egoistic jerk, as he is an overachiever, especially in English and for this reason, looks down on the latter who's the opposite. Yong Xin even resorts to using Shun Fa as a scapegoat just to get out of trouble and save his reputation.

Ah Kun became dissatisfied with many of the government policies. He decided to speak out by setting a new opposition party. How will the story of their lives go?[3]

Cast
Cast Character's name Details
Mark Lee Lim Ah Kun Taxi driver; often dissatisfied with the new policies
Richie Koh Shun Fa Nephew of Ah Kun
Danny Lee Yong Xin Son and lovechild of Ah Kun
Mei Xin Su Ting Shun Fa's eldest sister
Henry Thia Ah Hui Ah Kun’s best friend
Wang Lei Liu Shun Zhong Leader of another opposition party
Benjamin Josiah Tan Lim Ah Hee Younger brother of Ah Kun
Regina Lim Su Xin Shun Fa's second elder sister
Yap Hui Xin Su Qing Shun Fa's third elder sister
Charmaine Sei Ah Feng Ah Kun's wife and Yong Xin's stepmother
Tasha Low Mei Ping Xinyao singer; girlfriend of Shun Fa
Silvarajoo Prakasam Shamugam Ah Hee's father-in-law; Former hawker inspector and People's Association officer, now retired
Suhaimi Yusof Osman Malay food seller

Production

The film was originally titled as Not So Long Time Ago. The film budget is $2.5 million, filming lasted from April to May 2019.[4] The film continues to showcase Singapore's multicultural society, and its history from the founding to becoming an advanced country.[5]

The third and fourth film are set in the 1980s, and touched on politically sensitive topics, in particular several major policy changes implemented during the era, including the forced closure of Chinese schools and Nanyang University, the frustration among Chinese school students, the Singapore elite system, and opposition parties.[6][7][8] It also explores the life views and differences between the younger and older generation, their different reactions towards the policies implemented during the era.[9]

Regarding the subject matter, Jack Neo states that: “Although the subject is sensitive, it is part of history. It should be viewed with a correct attitude. Singaporeans should understand the history of their own country. We are not trying to deliberately touch on sensitive subjects, instead we just do not want to hide what happened in history."[10]

Release

The film held sneak peaks on 22 November 2020, was released on 26 November 2020 theatrically in Singapore.[11][12]

Its sequel and the overall fourth film, The Diam Diam Era Two, was released on 10 February 2021 during the Chinese New Year holiday.[13]

References
  1. "Overview of SG Cinema 2020" (PDF). IMDA Singapore.
  2. "Next Jack Neo's Political Movie, The Diam Diam Era, to Be Out Next Month". Goody Feed. 27 October 2020.
  3. "Official trailer of The Diam Diam Era (2020)". Youtube.
  4. "Number 1 amongst a slate of Singapore-made movies to be released in 2020, mm2 announces post-Circuit Breaker film slate". AsiaOne. 20 October 2020.
  5. "10 Facts About The Diam Diam Era, Jack Neo's New Movie About Politics". Goody Feed. 20 November 2020.
  6. "Suhaimi Yusof 'relives' his father's life acting in new Jack Neo movie The Diam Diam Era". AsiaOne. 20 November 2020.
  7. "Interview: On social media". The Straits Times. 21 November 2020.
  8. "Meixin, Tasha Low and Richie Koh on the physical 'sacrifices' for their roles in local movie The Diam Diam Era". AsiaOne. 19 November 2020.
  9. "The Diam Diam Era brings back the memories again". 8 World. 24 November 2020.
  10. "The third Long Long Time Ago touches sensitive topics; Jack Neo: face history squarely". Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 19 March 2019.
  11. "Singapore films get more exposure in Covid era". The New Paper. 26 November 2020.
  12. "Film Review: 80s Nostalgia Runs High in Jack Neo's Latest The Diam Diam Era". Sinema SG. 25 November 2020.
  13. "Ten upcoming local Singaporean movies". Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 21 October 2020.
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