(Joint Statement of Asian Film Archive and National Archives of Singapore)

Singapore, 2 July 2005 – The Asian Film Archive signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Archives of Singapore to work hand in hand towards the preservation of Singapore and Asian film heritage. The MOU was signed by Prof Kenneth Paul Tan, Chair of Asian Film Archive and Prof Kwok Kian Woon, Chair of National Archives Board.

With the conclusion of the MOU, AFA has launched the Reel Emergency Project to invite 1000 critically acclaimed films by independent Asian filmmakers to inaugurate its collection. Over the next 2 years, there would be 8 calls of submission every quarter, each focusing on a region in Asia.

In Reel Emergency Project I, the call is to save Singapore films. So far, the Archive has received over 80 entries. The deadline is 7 July 2005. More information can be found at www.asianfilmarchive.org/collection.htm.

Said Prof Kenneth Paul Tan, Chair of Asian Film Archive, "One important challenge for the Asian Film Archive at this stage has been to identify and match the substantial but sometimes disparate range of already existing needs, interests, resources, and talents relating to Asian Film, and then to draw stakeholders together into a vibrant community of film-lovers. This MOU with the National Archives of Singapore is a very major step in this direction."

Said Prof Kwok Kian Woon, Chair of National Archives Board, “The partnership between AFA and NAS comes naturally. Films are documents of the times and are a significant part of the heritage of any country and of humanity. NAS is proud to share our domain expertise on preservation with AFA. Our staff has also been inspired by the passion shown by AFA members and their willingness to share their knowledge and ideas.”



From left: Prof Kenneth Paul Tan, Chair of AFA Board and Prof Kwok Kian Woon, Chair of NAS Board. Photo: Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Said Malaysian filmmaker U-Wei Haji Saari, "Even if they say nothing last forever, we should do our best to preserve our film and heritage. I am glad the Asian Film Archive has taken the initiative and I fully support the cause. I will donate to the Archive and I hope other filmmakers would do too." U-Wei, filmmaker of The Arsonist, is the first Malaysian director to be invited to show his work at the prestigious Directors' Fortnight at Cannes in 1995.

“This is a unique opportunity to preserve for posterity films and videos which can only get more valuable as time passes, we are very glad for a place to park our work,” said Singapore filmmaker Tan Pin Pin.

Without a doubt, Asia's creative industries are gaining global attention. The Asian Film Archive and the National Archives of Singapore will work together to advance our archival efforts in the treasures of Singapore and Asian cinema.

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Tan Bee Thiam
Executive Director
Asian Film Archive
Email: bthiam@asianfilmarchive.org
www.asianfilmarchive.org

Ms Irene Lim
Deputy Director
National Archives of Singapore
Email: Irene_L_L_LIM@nhb.gov.sg

Asian Film Archive – To Save, Explore and Share the Art of Asian Cinema

Asian Film Archive is a non-profit independent organization founded to preserve the rich film heritage of Singapore and Asian Cinema, to encourage scholarly research on film, and to promote a wider critical appreciation of this art form. As an important nexus, it brings together the various segments of the Asian film community in order to open and enrich new intellectual, educational, and creative spaces.

Our international advisory board members include Dr Aruna Vasudev (President, Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema), Mr. Hou Hsiao Hsien (critically acclaimed Asian Filmmaker), Professor Trinh T. Minh-ha (Professor of Women's Studies and Rhetoric, University of California, Berkeley), Professor Rey Chow, (Andrew W. Mellon Professor of the Humanities, Brown University), Professor Chris Berry (Goldsmiths College, University of London) and Dr Lim Song Hwee (General Editor, New Cinemas: Journal of Contemporary Film).