This workshop will examine the range of critical possibilities within Singapore’s politics, economy, and society through the films of Jack Neo, Eric Khoo, Royston Tan, Tan Pin Pin, and Martyn See. How have these filmmakers engaged with the arts and cultural policies of the state? Have they been successful at exploiting the commercial prospects of the market without compromising artistic integrity? Have they succeeded in appealing to the tastes and sensibilities of their audiences without producing a debased mass cultural product that panders to their lowest instincts and prejudices? Close readings of selected works by these five filmmakers reveal different answers to these questions, demonstrating the diverse filmmaking practices in contemporary Singapore. Kenneth Paul Tan is Assistant Dean (Academic Affairs) and Associate Professor of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. An award-winning teacher, he has taught at the National University of Singapore’s Political Science Department and University Scholars Programme. He contributed to shaping Singapore's educational landscape through significant roles in the Ministry of Education's Humanities and Social Sciences Research Programme and the Upper Secondary Social Science Instructional Materials Development Committee. He was also 8-time winner of NUS Teaching Excellence Award and winner of 2009 Outstanding Educator Award, the highest teaching honour bestowed by NUS. His research interests have been in the fields of political theory, comparative politics, and cinema studies, specializing in Singapore studies and focusing on topics such as democracy, civil society, media, the arts, multiculturalism, and meritocracy. He has published in renowned academic journals and has authored two books: Renaissance Singapore? Economy, Culture, and Politics (edited volume, NUS Press, 2007) and Cinema and Television in Singapore: Resistance in One Dimension (Brill, 2008). In 2008, he received a Fulbright Award and a Visiting Researcher position at Georgetown University (US). He is the founding chair of the Asian Film Archive's board of directors, sits on the board of directors of theatre company The Necessary Stage, and has composed music for some of its performances.	Date & Time 05 Jun 2009 (Fri) 9:30am – 2:00pm Price (inclusive of lunch) $120 ($110 for early bird discounts) Venue National Volunteer & Philantrophy Centre (NVPC)

Venue: MPH2, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)
The Central, #04-88, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059817 http://www.nvpc.org.sg/Pgm/Others/NVPC_F_ContactUs.aspx

To register, please call or email us to obtain the registration form. Register by 11 May 2009 to qualify for the early bird discount. An acknowledgement email will be sent upon confirmation of registration.
Email: info@asianfilmarchive.org
Tel: 6777 3243
Fax: 6543 1643
Contact Person: Ethan or Jiayun

Payment can be made by cheque (payable to Asian Film Archive) or GIRO within 30 days after the workshop. A penalty of the full cost of the workshop(s) will be imposed on participants who registered but did not attend the workshop(s).



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