Why so few screens for Ilo Ilo?

I read with sadness your article about the majority of local films not making it at the box office, in particular Ilo Ilo (Where Is The Audience?, Life!, Sept 11).

My husband and I saw the show last week and thought it was a gem. The issues the film tackled transcend culture.

Why did the film not get a wider release? It was neither released at Cathay nor Shaw (except for its cinema in Nex).

I later found out that it was screened only at GV cinemas. I do not know anything about distribution laws and rights that govern a film but why is a film that has created international interest and won accolades not released in all theatres in Singapore?

Annie Thompson

I feel that Singapore films and shows are just too predictable and lack originality and variety. Films produced here seem to reflect basic Singapore life and lifestyle, which is nothing new and has already been done before.

Singapore film-makers should focus on different genres and more controversial topics.

Although Jack Neo's Ah Boys To Men may have been a commercial success, it is just a revamped version of Army Daze. Another reason for its popularity is likely due to the high-profile marketing campaign. Not many films can have such large marketing campaigns to promote their films.

Another reason home-grown films do not do well is that the characters lack substance. Many actors tend to play typical characters that hardly vary in other films or shows. They play the same roles, which gets boring.

The Singapore community is getting smarter and we need to have smarter films.

Jeremy Wee

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