MDDI partners local directors for heartwarming films on everyday Singaporeans

The ministry of digital development and information (MDDI) has teamed up with four local directors for its "Together for better" campaign, in support of the Forward Singapore exercise. 

As part of the campaign, four local directors - Royston Tan, Kirsten Tan, K Rajagopal and Tariq Mansor - produced a series of moving and thought-provoking films centered on four Singaporean families. 

The films showcase stories of tenacity and resilience of everyday Singaporeans as they work towards achieving their aspirations and improving their circumstances.

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In addition, the films spotlight how key policies introduced in the Forward Singapore report will help Singaporeans better navigate uncertainties in today’s world and attain their aspirations in providing multiple pathways to success, improving social mobility, staying relevant in the workplace, and embracing retirement with a peace of mind.

"Through these four films, we want to help Singaporeans feel more empowered to chart their own paths, by better understanding how the roadmap for our new social compact, as set out in the Forward Singapore report, will support them at different stages of life and allow them to better pursue their aspirations," said Aaron Lye, director of campaigns and productions department at MDDI. 

The first film, titled Take Flight, starts with two siblings playing basketball. It later flashes back to when they were children in their bedroom. The older brother is seen fixing an airplane model when the younger brother asks him how he does it. They later take on the task of fixing the model together. 

The film then brings them to the present day where they collect their O-level graduation certificates. The brothers diverge there as the older brother goes to ITE and vents his frustrations at how tough it is for him to achieve his childhood dreams. 

The two siblings battle it out at the basketball court, leaving the older brother feeling hopeful and inspired. He later takes on his education journey positively and eventually applies for the ITE Progression Award.

The film ends with both siblings working together at their childhood dream job.  

The second film, A or B? follows a father and his two children as they navigate everyday choices together through a simple game of "A or B". Suggestions include taking the bus or walking, choosing between two new fans and picking groceries. The older sister seemingly chooses the more affordable option each time. 

As they go through life, it becomes clear that not all choices are simple, especially when it comes to pursuing post-Secondary school education. The father then takes on a government initiative called ComLink+ which allows him to get a new job, and better support his family. 

The film ends with his two children asking him to pick between two pens "A or B" as he starts his first day at his new job. 

“The four films are directed by directors with different and distinctive styles which we hope will be able to provide varied perspectives and viewing experiences for the audience. I hope that Singaporeans can see themselves when they watch the films and find inspiration and encouragement as we move forward," said Tan, executive director of the campaign and director of one of the four films, A or B?. 

The third film, Comeback Queens, starts with a woman in her 50s named Azlinda whose daily life is constant juggle between the responsibilities of work and family. On her way to work, she meets with her old friends who are at the field playing football. 

They tell her that they are bringing back their old team together and invites her to join them. Azlinda rejects them and chooses to get to work. 

When she gets home late at night, she finds her daughter Nadia and her husband looking at a photo of Azlinda playing football when she was much younger. They encourage her to join the soccer tournament and share with her how she can still pursue her passion for football and confidently save for her retirement. 

After much coaching by Nadia, Azlina returns to the field and joins her old teammates in training. After much training, the women go for their first tournament where Azlina strikes a winning goal. 

The fourth film, Mission: Possible, sees three employees named Muthu, Priya and Chong panic over a crashed computer system. Their younger colleague Vinod helps them solve the problem with a few simple clicks on the keyboard. He tells them that it's an easy task and that they'll eventually get the hang of it. 

While out drinking teh (tea), the three employees ponder and reflect on how they can improve themselves. They discuss amongst themselves how they'll handle working, family and taking night and online classes and how despite the difficulties, it will help them stay relevant. 

The trio eventually decide to go back to school and study together over video calls. After 15 weeks of studying, the trio successfully present a project at work, impressing their young colleagues and bosses. 

The video ends with Vinod inviting them to work on a project of his that requires their expertise, to which Muthu responds, "Sounds like our cup of teh." 

"Mission: Possible explores the very real anxieties of the Singaporean working population about a rapidly changing skills landscape and challenges in keeping up. The light-hearted comedy and relatability enable the film to reassure Singaporeans that they are not alone, and that they have options to improve themselves," said director Rajagopal.

The campaign was done in partnership with MullenLowe Singapore. “We’re pleased to work with MDDI to showcase that Forward Singapore is not just a slogan, but a platform of concrete solutions that can support Singaporeans to be the best version of themselves," said MullenLowe Singapore CEO Paul Soon.

"We approached the development of the films with the strategic thought that all Singaporeans impact and encounter each other in daily life, regardless of age, education level, race, or other markers. That’s why we’ve used a creative device where we see the main characters of one film showing up as cameos in other films, creating a little cinematic universe," added Soon.

This campaign is a continuation of the ministry's five-part documentary web-series that aims to chronicle the 18-month long Forward SG exercise earlier this year. 

Titled "Let’s Begin: The Forward SG Story", the series takes viewers on-ground and behind the scenes with then-deputy prime minister Lawrence Wong and members of the cabinet who form part of the fourth generation (4G) leadership team.

The FSG exercise engaged more than 200,000 Singaporeans to discuss important issues that will impact Singapore’s next bound of nation building. These include topics such as housing, the Singapore identity, economy and jobs, success, ageing, and the environment.

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