Metropolitan: The Short Film

Hi everyone! We are a bunch of film students from NTU ADM making a short film titled Metropolitan 美满都市. This campaign is aimed to help us with the making of something we all truly believe in and are excited about. Stay on this space to find out how you can help and be a part of this journey!

Follow us on Instagram: @metropolitan.film

Contact us: [email protected]

THE STORY:

When her long-term boyfriend breaks up with her and the bar she works at closes down, an idealistic young girl learns there is much more to the city life than just striving for her dreams.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT:

Metropolitan 美满都市 is conceptualized both as a tribute and my love for this city (or metropolis), Singapore, that I’ve lived in all my life. Living in Singapore is distinct; all the different key districts are within close proximity of the city center, and most are even within walkable distances. The facade of a perfectly manicured city has always puzzled me because just by walking through the streets outside the city area, you would discover a whole wealth of culture that contrasts with what we see on the surface of this fast-paced city.

The metropolis seems to me an all-consuming and all-giving place; once inside, you often find yourself stuck in a perpetual cycle of pursuit. Within that pursuit, I want to find a thread that connects us all, I want this story to not be just about Singapore, but rather about the universality of living within the metropolis.

With this story, we follow the journey of Jen as she navigates her interpersonal relationship with her long-time boyfriend Jun and her boss Jacob, who is very much like a father figure to her. Jen escapes from work early in hopes of attending a high-end event with Jun, a spontaneous and even rebellious action that we as young adults can often relate to. Yet, in the process of growing up, we often find that these behaviours have consequences.

The three characters, Jen, Jun and Jacob each represent an important facet of the pursuit of a city life. Jen is symbolic of the people, Jun symbolic of the city and Jacob symbolic of what I term the spirit of the people. A significant portion of the film’s dynamics plays out between Jen’s attempts to connect with Jun, analogous to the people’s desire to understand the city. Jacob is designed to be the crux of the trio dynamics; the spirit represents his experience in living life, his humanity and his tenacity as a metropolitan, albeit rather plebeian. Ultimately, it is through Jacob that Jen understands the attitude and outlook she must adopt to survive in a harsh metropolis.

I imagine Metropolitan 美满都市 to be a film about celebration. Through the eyes of Jen, the film celebrates her coming-of-age and her understanding in the futility of material pursuit. This film celebrates that, even in our metropolitan lives littered with trials and tribulations, a sliver of optimism lies beyond.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Having to make a film as students is straining on our finances. Your donations, big or small, would help in various areas in production as listed below:

1. Talent Fees

2. Equipment and Location Rental Fees

3. Meals for Crew & Cast

4. Transportation Costs for Production

Any amount contributed would be much appreciated and greatly help in terms of our financial budget. However, it would mean just as much if you can help us share this campaign link amongst your friends, family and on social media.

There is also a QR code option for ease of transfer, under our gallery.

For more information about the film, donation matters as well as any possible collaboration, do feel free to reach us at [email protected] or ig: @metropolitan.film and we will be happy to answer your queries.

KEY CREW:

Director/Writer: Ow Hong Xu

Producer: Claudia Wee

1st Assistant Director: Andrew Ong

Director of Photography: Tay Kai Ren

Editor: Samantha Peng

Production Design & Wardrobe: Vivien Pradeep

Sound Designer: Hing Suyi