The Making of To Speak - In the beginning...

Writer/Director Craig Ower and Producer Lionel Chok held at Q&A session on the making of To Speak at the Singapore Esplanade Library on Saturday 12 April. They covered the full history of the production from the initial concept through to the most recent screenings at the Singapore Film Festival. This entry sunnarises their comments on the initiation of the project.

The origin of the film lies back in 1991 when Craig read the book "Feature Films at Used Car Prices". The basic proposition being that a film could be made for the cost of a used car, and that if you were going to the effort of getting funds, equipment, people etc together to make a film - it might as well be a feature.

Flashing forward to 2004, Craig decided it was finally time to do something about the idea of making a film. He quit his day job and got to work. He had written 2-3 screenplays since 1991 but realised that they were all a bit too ambitious and complex for a first-time director to sucessfully execute. He decided he needs something a little more straightforward and simple with which to begin. In his own words - "Naturally, the idea of shooting a film in a third-world country where I didn't speak the language seemed like just the sort of basic project that was needed!!".

In 2002 a friend had invited Craig on a housebuilding trip in Cambodia. It was on this trip that Craig first learned of the Tabitha program - an innovative program of micro-savings which has lifted more than 600,000 Cambodians from absolute poverty to what would be considered a lower middle-class income. Impressed with a program that had such a profound effect for the tiny average cost of US$50 per person, Craig lead several more building teams back to Cambodia.

Having heard many of the stories told by the Tabitha staff, Craig wrote the first draft of To Speak in a week. "I showed it to the founder of Tabitha to see what she though about the story and the possibility of actually making it into a film. She said she thought it was a good idea. I suspect she thought that nothing would come of it". That was October 2004.

In March 2005 while rehearsing for a small part in "Adultery", a play by writer/director Lionel Chok, Craig discussed the idea of his film with Lionel. Very quickly Lionel came on board as the producer and then things started to move very quickly indeed.

So quickly that only 3 months (and 6 drafts of the screenplay) later the crew were shooting To Speak in Cambodia. "I'd put aside about S$30,000 which I was fully prepared to lose, in order to make the film. Most of this was spent on getting the crew to Cambodia and then accomodating and feeding them while we were there."

According to Craig "I was totally unprepared for what happened next".

The next entry will cover the 17 day shoot in Cambodia...

To Speak Wraps Up at SIFF with Sell Out Screening

To Speak wrapped up its screenings at this year's Singapore International Film Festival with a sell-out. Fans who had waited too long to secure their tickets were turned away disappointed. Those lucky enough to make it inside, packed themselves into the Sinema Old School auditorium for the screening and Q&A session, which once again, ran over time.

The session was moderated by internationally celebrated Singapore filmmaker - Tan Pin Pin - winner of a Student Academy Award and 2 Asian Television Awards amongst others and director of acclaimed documentaries including Moving House, Singapore Ga Ga and Invisible City.

Once again the audience was full of praise for the moving soundtrack composed and performed by young Singaporean Reuben Kee, and the central performance of Ratana Peuw. Hailing from the village where To Speak was shot, Ratana carried the entire film without rehersal and without having seen television prior to filming. Pin Pin herself was most impressed with the construction of the screenplay, commenting on the deft interweaving of the multiple plot-lines, the strong character arcs and the overall pacing and unfolding of the story.

TO SPEAK makes Asian Premiere at Singapore International Film Festival

TO SPEAK made its Asian Premiere last night at the Singapore Panorama section of the Singapore International Film Festival. Despite a day of torrential rain To Speak debuted to a full house at the new home of Singapore independent film - Sinema OldSchool.

First time writer/director, Craig Ower, introduced the film explaining the long road this self-funded feature had taken over a development period of 3 years. Craig thanked many from the Sinagpore film industry for their help and support in bringing To Speak to the screen including, Infinite Frameworks, Home Studio, Objectifs, The Substation, the Media Development Authority, the Singapore Film Commission and of course, the Singapore International Film Festival.

Craig also paid tribute to composer Reuben Kee, one of the 5 Singapore National Dragon Boaters who drowned last November in Cambodia, while competing in the annual dragon boat festival on the Tonle Sap river. Reuben composed and performed the entire soundtrack for To Speak. Craig spoke of how proud and grateful he was to have Reuben's wonderful music as part of To Speak.

Following Craig's introduction a short video memorial to Reuben was screened before moving on to To Speak itself.

Craig and producer Lionel Chok, then took questions from the enthusiastic audience at the end of the screening.