The Diam Diam Era

Long Long Time Ago 3: The Diam Diam Era (Chinese: 我们的故事3：沉默的年代) is a 2020 Singaporean comedy drama film by Jack Neo. Set in 1980s, it tells the story of the Lim family and their neighbours, now living in HDB flats. Through major policy changes and political climate in the era, they experience great changes in their lives and environment.

Long Long Time Ago 3
The Diam Diam Era
Directed byJack Neo
Starring
Production
company
J Team Productions
MM2 Entertainment
Distributed byGolden Village Pictures
Release date
26 November 2020 (Singapore)
Running time
1 hour 47 minutes
CountrySingapore
LanguageMandarin
Hokkien
English
Malay
Tamil

It was released on 26 November 2020 in Singaporean cinemas.[1]

The film stars an ensemble cast, which includes Mark Lee, Richie Koh, Meixin Macy, Danny Lee, Henry Thia, Wang Lei, Suhaimi Yusof, Silvarajoo Prakasam, Benjamin Josiah Tan, Yap Hui Xin, Regina Lim, Ryan Lian, Tasha Low, and Charmaine Sei.

It is the third film in the Long Long Time Ago film series, after Long Long Time Ago (2016) and Long Long Time Ago 2 (2016). Another fourth film, titled The Diam Diam Era Too will be released in February 2021.

Synopsis

Continuing the story of 'Long Long Time Ago' series, the third film is set during the 1980s, spanning from early 1976 until the late 1980s. It follows the story of the Lin family's second generation and their neighbours in HDB flats, as they experience great changes in Singapore's environment, policies and livelihood.

After the death of his older sister, Ah Kun (Mark Lee) has turned over a new leaf and become a taxi driver. He often argued with his son and nephews due to differences in their views because of generation gap. During the time, Singapore was going through a number of reform policies, such as the forced closure of Chinese schools and the introduction of Singaporean elite system.

Ah Kun become dissatisfied with many of the government policies. So he decided to speak out, by setting a new opposition party. How will the story of their lives go?[2]

Cast
Cast Character's name Details
Mark Lee Lim Ah Kun Taxi driver; often dissatisfied with the new policies
Richie Koh Shun Fa Nephew of Ah Kun; son of Zhao Di
Meixin Macy Su Ting Shun Fa's eldest sister
Danny Lee Yong Xin Son of Ah Kun
Henry Thia Ah Hui Ah Kun’s best friend
Wang Lei Xu Shun Zhong Leader of another opposition party
Benjamin Josiah Tan Lim Ah Hee Younger brother of Zhao Di and Ah Kun
Suhaimi Yusof Osman
Silvarajoo Prakasam Sharmugam
Regina Lim Su Xin Shun Fa's second elder sister
Yap Hui Xin Su Qing Shun Fa's third elder sister
Charmaine Sei Ah Feng Ah Kun's wife
Ryan Lian Ah Long Zhao Di’s best friend and previous gangster
Tasha Low Mei Ping Xinyao singer
Yg Choi
Aileen Tan Zhao Di Mother of Su Ting, Su Xin, Su Qing, Shun Fa

Production

The film was originally titled as Not So Long Time Ago. The film budget is $2.5 million, filming lasted from April to May 2019.[3] The film continues to showcase Singapore's multicultural society, and its history from the founding to becoming an advanced country.[4]

The third and fourth film are set in the 1980s, and touch on politically sensitive topics, particularly the several major policy changes implemented during the era, including the forced closure of Chinese schools and Nanyang University, the frustration among Chinese school students, the Singapore elite system, and opposition parties.[5][6][7] It also explores the life views and differences between the younger and older generation, their different reactions towards the policies implemented during the era.[8]

Regarding the subject matter, Jack Neo states that: “Although the subject is sensitive, it is part of history. It should be viewed with a correct attitude. Singaporeans should understand the history of their own country. We are not trying to deliberately touch on sensitive subjects, instead we just do not want to hide what happened in history."[9]

Release

The film held sneak peaks on 22 November 2020, and is released on 26 November 2020 theatrically in Singapore.[10][11]

Its sequel and the overall fourth film, The Diam Diam Era Too, is scheduled to be released in February 2021 during the Chinese New Year.[12]

References
  1. "Next Jack Neo's Political Movie, The Diam Diam Era, to Be Out Next Month". Goody Feed. 2020-10-27.
  2. "Official trailer of The Diam Diam Era (2020)". Youtube.
  3. "Number 1 amongst a slate of Singapore-made movies to be released in 2020, mm2 announces post-Circuit Breaker film slate". AsiaOne. 2020-10-20.
  4. "10 Facts About The Diam Diam Era, Jack Neo's New Movie About Politics". Goody Feed. 2020-11-20.
  5. "Suhaimi Yusof 'relives' his father's life acting in new Jack Neo movie The Diam Diam Era". AsiaOne. 2020-11-20.
  6. "Interview: On social media". The Straits Times. 2020-11-21.
  7. "Meixin, Tasha Low and Richie Koh on the physical 'sacrifices' for their roles in local movie The Diam Diam Era". AsiaOne. 2020-11-19.
  8. "The Diam Diam Era brings back the memories again". 8 World. 2020-11-24.
  9. "The third Long Long Time Ago touches sensitive topics; Jack Neo: face history squarely". Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 2019-03-19.
  10. "Singapore films get more exposure in Covid era". The New Paper. 2020-11-26.
  11. "Film Review: 80s Nostalgia Runs High in Jack Neo's Latest The Diam Diam Era". Sinema SG. 2020-11-25.
  12. "Ten upcoming local Singaporean movies". Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 2020-10-21.
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