The Diam Diam Era

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Long Long Time Ago 3
The Diam Diam Era
The Diam Diam Era movie poster.jpg
Directed byJack Neo
Starring
Production
companies
J Team Productions
MM2 Entertainment
Distributed byGolden Village Pictures
Release date
26 November 2020 (Singapore)
Running time
107 minutes
CountrySingapore
LanguagesMandarin
Hokkien
English
Malay
Tamil

Long Long Time Ago: The Diam Diam Era (Chinese: 我们的故事3：沉默的年代) is a 2020 Singaporean comedy drama film by Jack Neo. Set in 1980s, it tells the story of the Lim family and their neighbours, now living in HDB flats. Through major policy changes and political climate in the era, they experience great changes in their lives and environment.

It was released on 26 November 2020 in Singaporean cinemas.[1]

The film stars an ensemble cast, which includes Mark Lee, Richie Koh, Meixin Macy, Danny Lee, Henry Thia, Wang Lei, Suhaimi Yusof, Silvarajoo Prakasam, Benjamin Josiah Tan, Yap Hui Xin, Regina Lim, Ryan Lian, Tasha Low, and Charmaine Sei.

It is the third film in the Long Long Time Ago film series, after Long Long Time Ago (2016) and Long Long Time Ago 2 (2016). Another fourth film, titled The Diam Diam Era Two was released on 10 February 2021 during the Chinese New Year.

Synopsis[]

Continuing the story of 'Long Long Time Ago' series, the third film was set during the 1980s, spanning from early 1976 until the late 1980s. It follows the story of the Lin family's second generation and their neighbours in HDB flats, as they experience great changes in Singapore's environment, policies and livelihood.

After the death of his older sister, Ah Kun (Mark Lee) has turned over a new leaf and become a taxi driver. He often argued with his son, Yong Xin and nephew, Shun Fa 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?[2]

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; son of Zhao Di
Meixin Macy Su Ting Shun Fa's eldest sister
 [zh] Yong Xin Son and lovechild of Ah Kun
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 Zhao Di and Ah Kun
Suhaimi Yusof Osman
Silvarajoo Prakasam Sharmugam
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
Ryan Lian Ah Long Zhao Di’s best friend and previous gangster
Tasha Low Mei Ping Xinyao singer
Yg Choi
Aileen Tan Zhao Di Mother of Su Ting, Su Xin, Su Qing, Shun Fa

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.[3] The film continues to showcase Singapore's multicultural society, and its history from the founding to becoming an advanced country.[4]

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.[5][6][7] It also explores the life views and differences between the younger and older generation, their different reactions towards the policies implemented during the era.[8]

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."[9]

Release[]

The film held sneak peaks on 22 November 2020, was released on 26 November 2020 theatrically in Singapore.[10][11]

Its sequel and the overall fourth film, The Diam Diam Era Two, was released on 10 February 2021 during the Chinese New Year.[12]

References[]

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

External links[]

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