We’ve spoken quite a fair bit about how shophouses are a key element to the Singapore Story, so what better way to celebrate Singapore’s 59th birthday than having a party in a shophouse?
Our partners Meir Collective and us gathered a cozy group of friends and acquaintances for a small party at SPACE Coffee along Geylang road for a movie night. The Afternaut and Meir Collective team spent a bit of time deciding what movie to screen, as we wanted something that featured or took place in a shophouse, but didn’t play up the vice or crime aspect for sensationalism.
Eventually we decided on the local horror/mystery movie, The Maid (2005). The main characters live in a shophouse and we were treated to many scenes showing the outside and inside of shophouses that were built in the later stages. Sebestian Soh, probably one of the most knowledgeable about shophouses amongst the guests present, excitedly told us about the features of the later stage shophouses, which had concretised squatting toilets and staircases, and were unique to Singapore and Malaysia. Shophouses like these were associated with those of a lower income group; multiple families often lived together in one shophouse.
The movie is about a local domestic helper who recently arrived in Singapore from the Philippines. Initially filled with hopes and dreams, she receives a huge culture shock from having to deal with the local customs of the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival with all its dos and don’ts. Her new employers lived in an old shophouse where supernatural forces were at play.
It was also very apt, as we were watching the film in Geylang during the Hungry Ghost Festival itself, inside a shophouse. The twist at the end of the story gave everyone something to talk about, even those who didn’t usually watch horror films.
It is simple, enjoyable moments like these that help bring people closer together and we aim to bring more of such opportunities for interaction in Geylang at our next gathering. The usual gatherings in unusual places, anyone? Hopefully this will entice more people to visit Geylang and look beyond its stereotypes.
Video above credit to Space Coffee.
