Singapore’s Entertainment Scene: A Tale of Resilience
The Big Players
Three of Singapore’s biggest cinema and film outfits—Golden Village, mm2 Asia, and Clover Films—have faced a rocky ride over the last year and a half, but they’re still standing tall.
mm2 Asia Under the Spotlight
We got a bit of a scare headline from Variety that called mm2 Asia’s future into question after an audit. The audit flagged a “material uncertainty” about the group’s ability to stay afloat.
But here’s the scoop: the company’s spokesperson insisted that the gloom is overblown. “Many businesses got hit by COVID—mm2 included,” she said, and emphasized that the company is “well on the way to recovery.” She also pointed out that investors still trust them; the share price bounced after a rights issue, and no debts are on the chopping block either.
Key Takeaways from the Auditor’s Report
- “Material uncertainty” is a technical term that basically means the auditors had some doubts but didn’t declare the company bankrupt.
- The “going concern” clause is standard; it checks whether a business can keep running, not if it’s doomed.
- Variety’s headline overplayed the mood.
Rebuilding the Reel
Seasoned producers such as Sean Ng, Daniel Yam and Boi Kwong are still churning out movies. mm2 Asia’s slate is moving forward with projects that were slated for release in the middle of the crisis.
There’s also chatter about merging the Cathay and Golden Village cinema operations. That merger is still “in process” and waiting for regulatory green lights. No plans to shrink Cathay’s footprint either.
Attendance’s numbers are climbing again—it’s the best news box office-wise. In 2020, Singapore’s total box office tally was a modest $49.6 million, a 71% dip compared to $175.4 million the previous year. That’s a serious drop, but the bounce‑back narrative is brightening the outlook.
Golden Village’s Foot Forward
The cinema chain has kept pressing on with local film promotion even during the pandemic season. Movies like The Diam Diam Era (2020), its sequel The Diam Diam Era 2 (2021), the satire Tiong Bahru Social Club (2020), and the biopic documentary Andre And His Olive Tree (2021) have all found their screens.
Bottom Line
Despite a harsh pandemic hit, Singapore’s entertainment firms—especially mm2 Asia—are not only surviving but also moving forward with new releases, strategic mergers, and a rising ticket queue. The movie industry’s resilience is evident, and the real story is one of a hopeful comeback rather than doom.
<img alt="" data-caption="Over the pandemic season, Golden VIllage's slate of releases has included the satire Tiong Bahru Social Club (2020).
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Lights, Camera, Caution!
Mr Lim Teck, the charismatic managing director of Clover Films, has shared the steep hurdles the local movie scene has faced over the past year and a half. “The whole cinema business has taken a tumbler dive due to constant closures and those pesky government‑mandated seating limits,” he said.
Phase Two Returns: Half‑Capacity, Zero Snacks
From July 22, as Singapore stepped back into the “heightened alert” phase, audiences are still shackled to a 50‑person cap per screening if no pre‑movie test is done. To keep the popcorn in check, cinemas have been told NO FOOD OR DRINKS are allowed at the box office. The result? Fewer popcorn tips and a lot of shoveling.
Glitter – and Genre – Still Got a Shine
Despite the restrictions, Clover’s film lineup isn’t taking a dip. Two blockbusters have slipped into the spotlight:
- Train To Busan: Peninsula – the South Korean zombie flick that earned $2.9 m and ranked as the second best‑grossing film of 2020 (behind Wonder Woman 1984‘s $4.7 m).
- Shock Wave 2 – Hong Kong’s jaw‑dropping action sequel pulled in $1.6 m, landing a respectable eighth place.
Soaring with iQiyi: Next‑Gen Hits on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Clover is teaming up with the Chinese streaming titan iQiyi for a powerful slate of films slated for 2022 and 2023. Coming on board are directors Kelvin Tong, Melvin Mak, Ong Kuo Sin and Tay Ping Hui. The plans kick off in Singapore and spread to regional havens.
Going Full‑Scale: The First Camera Roll – “Reunion Dinner”
Breaking ground officially, the first shoot will be Ong’s light‑hearted Chinese New Year comedy “Reunion Dinner.” Even with New‑Year’s fireworks behind the camera, Mr Lim assures, “Filming under those conditions can be stressful, but it can be done.” The production will follow strict Covid‑19 hygiene protocols, urging split crews and remote collaboration to keep everyone safe.
This article first appeared in The Straits Times. Reproduction requires permission.
