Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

 

The Singapore Consulate General recently screened the Singapore movie “Ah Boys To Men 2” at the Residence of the Consul General of Indonesia as part of the 8th Asian Film Festival.



The festival, organized by the Asian Consuls-General Club (ACGC), consists of 13 Asian countries which also include Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, India, China, Brunei, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand and Indonesia.



The screening of the Singapore film was also held in conjunction with Singapore’s 5oth Anniversary celebrations (SG50).



Raziff Aljunied, Singapore’s Consul General, welcomed the Consuls-General in Jeddah as well as other invited guests to the event.



More than 160 guests, including Singaporeans, were present. Mr Aljunied said that judging from the successful run of ‘Ah Boys to Men’ at last year’s Asian Film Festival, the Singapore Consulate General was pleased to present ‘Ah Boys To Men Part Two’.



This second installment of ‘Ah Boys To Men’, by Singaporean producer and director Jack Neo, was released in 2013 and subsequently became the highest-grossing Singaporean movie.



The movie is about national service in Singapore, where all able-bodied male Singaporeans and permanent residents who have reached the age of 18 are enlisted for a period of two years. 



In his speech, Mr Aljunied noted that “National Service is an important component of Singapore’s nation building efforts.



This is the time when young men from diverse backgrounds, race and religion share common experiences and form bonds of friendship that would endure throughout their lives.



National Service also instills discipline and a sense of duty and service to the country, which is essential in nation building,” Mr Aljunied added.



The film revolves around Ken, a 18-year-old lad born into a well-to-do family, and spoilt by his mother and grandmother since young.



In the first part, which was shown last year, following his enlistment, Ken appears to be highly demoralised. However, he gets to know a motley group of trainees where a bond of friendship starts to develop among them.



Through thick and thin, and a series of incidents and adventures, Ken begins to understand and appreciate National Service.



In the second episode, Ken resumes his military training with a realization of his mistakes. Determined to change, Ken prepares to prove himself.

 

The Film Festival will end on March 13, followed by an Asian food festival at the Indonesian Consul General’s residence.



The food festival is to be held to allow participating countries to showcase their various genres of cuisine.