Getai Rules

If you have not gone to see Royston Tan's latest movie "881" about the local getai scene, I suggest you make a trip to the cinema this week. It's an excellent local production and I was particularly impressed with the array of colourful costumes and variety of Hokkien songs used, especially some of the new, local compositions. The movie highlights the tough life of a getai singer in a humourous yet heart-warming way, often bringing to light the amusing off-stage feuds, romance, competition, friendships and camaraderie between the two getai camps.

There are moments of exaggeration though, from the magical powers of the Getai Goddess to the final showdown between the Papaya and Durian sisters. It tries hard at times to present itself as the local version of Moulin Rouge. I must say several scenes appeared 'forced' and tacky whenever the characters transited from their usual Hokkien-Chinese banter into this dreamy musical scene... there was one of them in chicken outfits made out of carton boxes and another of them immersed in a fantasy-like aquarium. I'm not certain whether it fits well in our local context, much less a getai context.

But it was good entertainment and I'll give it 4.5 stars. Watch the trailer below:

Huat ah!


Fishmonger