Explore the lesser known Singapore at this two-day film festival in Mumbai

A still from The Return

Think Singapore and the image of a dazzling city-state of high-rises, landscaped gardens, efficient public transport, and a vibrant food scene come to mind. While each of these facets makes the Asian Tiger what it is, there's more to Singapore than what many of us know of. Starting today, the two-day Singapore Film Festival 2017 hopes to familiarise Mumbaikars with the country through the lens of critically acclaimed filmmakers.

Organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore, Mumbai, in association with the NCPA, the festival will showcase two films from the year 2015 - The Return and 7 Letters.

A still from 7 Letters

"While these films have been screened in Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata and Hyderabad, it is the first time they are coming to Mumbai," shares Lim Zhong Hui, vice consul. "We chose these films because they offer a portrayal of life in Singapore as well as the kind of movies we are making now. The festival will give the filmmakers and their films a good exposure in India, where the film industry is a flourishing one."

The Return, directed by Green Zeng, premiered at the 30th Venice International Film Critics' Week in 2015. The plot revolves around a political detainee released after many years of imprisonment. While it follows his personal life where he returns to an uneasy reunion with his children, the film also captures his re-acquaintance with his homeland that has transformed into a shining metropolis.

Meanwhile, 7 Letters, is an emotive anthology by seven of Singapore's eminent filmmakers - Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, K Rajagopal, Royston Tan, Tan Pin Pin, Boo Junfeng, Kelvin Tong - celebrating 50 years of the country's independence. Each filmmaker has contributed a short that captures the lives and stories of Singaporeans in five languages, including Malayalam.

Consul General Ajit Singh and Zhong Hui will be present at the screening to interact with the audience.