MovieChat Forums > Xiaohai bu ben (2002) Discussion > Towing the Party Line ?

Towing the Party Line ?

posted 20 years ago by Modrechai_Abrabanel
4 replies | jump to latest

Well, what can i say.

This movie has got to be one of the best Singaporean movies since "12 Storeys", full of satire and parallels that the astute viewer can draw to the local political scene (eg the Men in White, CPF cuts, foreign talent policy, etc).

Watching the first half of the movie, i was struck by how blunt Jack Neo seemed to be in his critique of the government, and it got me wondering how this film could have gotten past the board of censors and was released in the first place.

The answer surfaced towards the second half, when the movie seems to take on a "reconciliatory" nature, replete with patriotic overtones which gave the impression that Jack Neo was engaging in social engineering of some sort - conveying the message that even though the government has numerous unpopular policies, it is often carried out "for our own good".

Well, so much for what i thought to be a liberalisation of the local film industry.

A great movie nonetheless, and i'd certainly like to check out his more recent film "Home Run".

[–] ulceroglandular 20 years ago

I'm Indonesian and I watched this movie in 2003. Have to say that Xiahai Bu Ben was (and still is) the best South East Asian movie ever. The pace of the story is good, the casting is just perfect, and the official website they have is just awesome! 2 thumbs up!

[–] Ritchy_K_Avery 20 years ago

Only saw bits of it. Funny

[–] yangz 18 years ago

I'm Indonesian too & watched it in 2004. Love it soooo muchhhh.... a simple story with a deep meaning. one of the best movie I ever watched.

go get the Xiaohai bu ben 2.

[–] juvenal_karel 17 years ago

I have to tell you--I am singaporean--and singapore isn't like that at all. And this movie is hardly groundbreaking--no real insight, nothing that nobody daren't say, nothing anyone needs to hear.

Jack Neo--SHAME ON YOU!!!