HONG KONG, Aug 14: The Singapore “881” musical drama will be among films to have free screenings at the 4th ASEAN Film Festival 2026 here from Aug 20 to Sept 27.
881 marks the importance of music in a people’s history and cultural identity and calls forth the glittering Getai (literally meaning song stage) music shows during the Ghost Festival and deity birthdays of Singapore in a story of friendship, rivalry and devotion.
A colourful story written and directed by Roystan Tan in 2007, it is about two sisters who become Getai singers, exploring friendship, hardship, and the flamboyant world of stage performance.
Now in its fourth edition, AFF 2026 will present over 30 films – the largest selection since the festival’s inception – from all 11 ASEAN countries, including the debut of Timor-Leste, the newest member country.
Works from Hong Kong, mainland China, and other countries – namely Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan and Russia – will also join the lineup, further enriching the cultural dialogue.
Music will take centre stage at this year’s festival, with many ASEAN selections using sound, songs and performance as the core drivers of their storytelling.
An example is the festival opener, Song of the Fireflies by the Philippines. Inspired by the internationally renowned Loboc Children’s Choir, it follows a small-town choir determined to reach the national stage in Manila, embodying perseverance, community, and the belief that victory comes in many forms.
Vietnam’s Sound Across the Ocean sets a period of French colonialism against the melodies of the traditional one-string zither and Xam folk songs; while Timor-Leste’s documentaries explore the Tebe-Tebe music genre and the craftsmanship behind the Babadok instrument.
Moviegoers looking for a laugh can check out SuckSeed by Thailand, a coming-of-age rock comedy involving a music-clueless boy and a music-buff girl, who learn that sometimes one has to “suck” before one can “succeed.”
Those in need of a good cry, on the other hand, may find Hong Kong’s Last Song for You a great choice. The romance film finds a pair connected by music in difficult moments in life, providing a moving reflection on love, loss, and the enduring power of music.
Source URL: ASEAN Film Festival 2026 kicking off with over 30 free screenings | The Standard
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