The Singapore Film Society is the longest established organisation on film appreciation in Singapore.[1] Inaugurated on 17 October 1954, [2] it was set up for the “promotion and appreciation of good films among its members”, and membership was “open to people of all races”.[3] Led by E. Mottram as the chairman of a nine-member expatriate committee, the society held its first presentation on 14 November 1954 with the screening of the film Blue Angel at the British Council Hall at Stamford Road.[4]
Prior to the formation of the Singapore Film Society, a society of the same name was established on 14 July 1948 by a group of locals with the objective of organising film screenings of artistic, historical and educational pictures that were not usually screened in cinemas.[5] The society, which started with an initial membership of 50, was led by Tan Thoon Lip as president and Lim Choo Sye as secretary.[6] However, the society struggled to survive due to the high cost of acquiring these films, entertainment tax and the lack of suitable viewing facilities,[7] and eventually dissolved.[8]
Over the years, the Singapore Film Society has organised and partnered with various embassies, as well as arts and cultural groups to screen award-winning, foreign and art house films for the cultivation of film appreciation in Singapore.[9] In its efforts to offer alternative fare, the society has also advocated for a more open and holistic approach towards censorship. Its appeals, along with others in the film community, led to the eventual introduction of the film classification system in Singapore in 1991.[10]
References
1. Uhde, J., & Uhde, Y. N. (2010). Latent images: Film in Singapore (p. 253). Singapore: Ridge Books. Call no.: RSING 384.8095957 UHD
2. Singapore Film Society replies to ‘kindly bullying’. (1954, November 5). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Is film society open to public? (1954, October 31). The Straits Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. 185 join new S’pore film group. (1954, November 13). The Singapore Free Press, p. 7; An overflow crowd for ‘Blue Angel’. (1954, November 15). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. Film society in S’pore. (1948, July 4). The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. Blow at cultural desert charges. (1948, July 18). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Film society may have to close. (1950, May 18). The Singapore Free Press, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. Singapore film society cuts costs. (1950, July 17). The Singapore Free Press, p. 5; Support for film society. (1954, September 4). The Singapore Free Press, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
9. Uhde & Uhde, 2010, pp. 253–264; Singapore Film Society. (n.d.) Our partners. Retrieved June 24, 2014, from Singapore Film Society website: http://www.sfs.org.sg/page.php?id=partners
10. Uhde & Uhde, 2010, p. 256.
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The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
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