Two film studios are looking to foster empathy and support for the people who (literally) built Singapore and are now in dire need through the power of their own stories.
Having accounted for roughly 80% of all of Singapore’s known COVID-19 cases, migrant workers are facing terrifying pandemic conditions now that thousands have been locked in dorms, unable to work and lacking support.
Rent I Dream of Singapore, which tells the story of an injured Bengali worker denied proper medical care, and Anticipate Pictures will donate its profits to workers’ rights advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too.
The 2019 documentary is USD$9.99 on Vimeo, discounted to USD$7.99 for members of indie cinema The Projector.
Posted by The Projector on Friday, 17 April 2020
It provides a closer look at the local migrant community and the heartwarming efforts of Transient Workers Count Too. In one tear-jerking scene, the group’s chief Ethan Guo bids farewell to Feroz, the injured worker. The 78-minute documentary is the work of award-winning filmmaker Lei Yuan Bin.
The film was produced as part of a heartfelt tribute to Singapore’s transient workers and the arduous labor they put in to build the city-state.
Grid Synergy production house recently shared online the 2017 short Him to remind Singaporeans of the plight faced by the city’s migrant workers.
“More than ever, this is a time for all of us to show more empathy, compassion and love for the migrant workers that have helped build our nation,” it wrote. “They have families that they have left behind in their own countries to make a living here. They have sacrificed tremendously.”
A heartbreaking experience of foreign workers in Singapore.
More than ever, this is a time for all of us to show more empathy, compassion and love for the migrant workers that have helped build our nation. They have families that they have left behind in their own countries to make a living here. They have sacrificed tremendously.
Commissioned by Starhub Go, Threesixzero Productions collaborated with Grid Synergy to produce a short film as part of “Love In Transit” anthology series a couple of years back.
“Him” highlights the migrant workers’ plight here and we believe this is an appropriate time to share this again.
Winner at the New York Festivals 2018 and China-Asean Short Video Competition 2019, this short film is a reminder for all of us to stand united regardless of our race, nationality or beliefs.
If you are interested to help the migrant workers, please leave us your contact details. You may also join us as one of the many growing volunteers out there assisting in helping the needy and vulnerable while adhering to the Infectious Diseases Act during this Circuit Breaker by signing up as either an Individual Warrior or as a Corporate Warrior here: https://www.gridsynergy.sg/warriors/
#SGUnited SG Assist Josephine Teo Lawrence Wong Temasek Foundation NVPC – Towards a City of Good Singapore Kindness Movement
Posted by Grid Synergy on Sunday, 19 April 2020
It lets viewers eavesdrop onto a migrant worker’s heartbreaking conversation with his son over the phone about his time in Singapore. It was originally released as part of a 10-part anthology series called Love In Transit.
Since it was posted Sunday, the roughly 5-minute video has been watched more than 20,000 times and is also being circulated on WhatsApp.
It also called on those interested in lending support to sign up for a future training initiative on ways to help all community members in need, including migrant workers, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups.
Other stories you should check out:
First Bangladesh national infected by coronavirus in Singapore
COVID-19: Singapore isolates construction workers to battle surging infections
Filthy, cramped dorms come to light as virus afflicts Singapore’s migrant workers
By the numbers, COVID’s exponential growth among migrant worker dorms made for 94% of cases in last week (Charts)
Police free migrant workers locked in room due to COVID-19 fears: NGO
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