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The Saga
Since SGzero, there have been many Singaporeans who have stood up to
speak their minds.
We may or may not agree with them, but they have the right to speak.
They may or may not offend some of us, but they have the right to speak.
They may anger the powers that be, but they have the right to speak.
Just as we have the right to listen. Or not. It’s called freedom.
Amos Yee is the latest one.
<to the tune of Marry Mes>
It's the funeral night
I'm looking for something dumb to do
Hey maybe, I think I’ll slander Lee Kuan Yew
He may have been childish, arrogant, foolish, rude, insensitive, and
blinded by the glare of his computer screen.
But this youth felt something and he spoke his mind.
And our system smacked him down for it. Arrested him, jailed him,
blighted his future, tried to crush him with the full weight of the law.
Not cool, SG.
<to the tune of Life Story by Dick Lee>
It’s my life story
Unbelievable story
I had it and I ate it too – then they took the cake
And oh, my life story
How they made me feel sorry
Believing we were free was my mistake.
The Sketch of the Saga
On 15 September 2015, the parody sketch show Chestnuts was asked to
remove the entire sketch called “Amos Yee The Musical” from the programme, in
order to be granted the performing arts license.
<to the tune of Love in the First Degree>
Sorry that we slammed SG
Now we’re guilty
Guilty!
Guilty as a boy can b
Sorry for defaming Lee
We stand accused -
Of love in the first degree!
The only reason given was that it was an ongoing court case.
Since there was no attempt to prevent discussion of the case on social
media, and since our court does not rely on a jury, why shouldn’t the arts be
allowed to comment on sensitive events?
The Authorities pointed to the theatre company’s lateness in submitting
the script as the reason why a sketch containing such sensitive issues could not
be processed in time. Yet in the same amount of time, a sketch referring to
certain megachurch pastors and the ongoing City Harvest court case AND a sketch
parodying the biographical musical about LKY were processed without question. What sensitive issues did Amos
Yee’s story raise that were of greater concern than religious sensitivities and
our founding father’s memory?
Whatever the shadowy sensitivities are, we believe that what happened around
Amos Yee needs to be discussed. In the open. By all of us.
The Movie of the Sketch of the Saga
To keep the discussion going, we plan to revive the banned sketch as a
hilarious spoof musical-movie, available online to the public for free! The ban
may have prevented thousands from seeing it, but now, we can share the story
with millions!
<to the tune of Moves Like Jagger>
It’s clear that the system is shifty
So how do we make it past fifty?
We need moves like Amos
His banana so famous
We all need moo-oo-oo-oo-ooves like Amos!
The fully-rehearsed-but-never-seen sketch will be filmed as a 30-40 minute movie and released in three parts, starting in December 2015. It will feature all-new cast members, expanded musical numbers and lots of cameos from the arts and media community!
A whole host of local actors, writers, directors, choreographers and
dancers will come together to lend their voice to freedom of speech. Our film
collaborators will help deliver a cheeky but poignant film with awesome song
and dance moments, with digital effects to turn each song into a kick-ass music
video!
The musical sings and dances its way through the whole saga - from video to arrest to prison to freedom
From the pro bono lawyers to the angry keyboard warriors to his stigmatized parents….
From accusations of molest to the threats of prison rape…
From the tricks he played on the media to the rallies held in his name…
A story of a boy that went too far and a system that went even further.
Call it a document of SG50’s least glorious but most revealing events.
Call it a last hurrah for free speech in our Jubilee year.
We call it parody for the people, by the people, about the people.
P.S.: If you’ve not seen Chestnuts before, get a taste of Singapore’s longest
running parody sketch show at http://www.chestnuts.sg/what-people-says/ !
The Part You Play in the Movie of the Sketch of the Saga
You may love or hate this boy. You may respect or revile what he said.
However the question all Singaporeans need to ask ourselves is this : are we the
kind of country that punishes free-spoken youths to this extent?
In a Singapuran legend, a brave and outspoken young lad was put to death
for saving us from a swordfish attack. Has that legend taught us nothing?
If you feel that our system has committed a grievous error in the
handling of this boy, lend us your voice.
Let’s not allow this saga to be swept under the carpet.
Let’s tell the powers that be that they don’t be good enough yet.
Let’s keep dreaming of what kind of system we the citizens will accept.
<to the tune of Let it go>
Let it go, let it go
They'll never delete my dream
Let it go, let it go
Let my face become a meme
The Pledges You Can Make to Play a Part in the Movie of the Sketch of the Saga
There are lots of ways you can help to make this project a reality! The
funds you pledge will go towards the following expenses :
- Hiring of recording facilities for the musical numbers
- Rental of camera and lighting equipment
- Hiring of green screen studio and other locations for shooting the musical numbers
- Digital post-production effects
- Honorariums for key cast and creative personnel
- Costumes, make-up and hair for the cast
- Props and set-dressing for the shoot
- Catering for the cast and crew during shoot
- Transportation costs
Help us reflect upon this saga, and through laughter, learn from it.
Help us make this movie happen.
Here are the types of pledges you can make :
BANANA – pledge $20 and receive a thank-you email from the team and an advance link to the videos, ahead of everyone else!
BIG BANANA – pledge $50 and receive all of the above PLUS an autographed poster for UnbelYEEvable, specially drawn by Sonny Liew, creator of The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye!
HUGE BANANA - pledge $100 and receive all of the above PLUS a free UnbelYEEvable T-shirt featuring the poster art by Sonny Liew!
WHOLE BUNCH OF BANANAS - pledge $200 and receive all of the above PLUS an invitation to appear IN THE FILM in one of our rally or media scenes!
GORENG PISANG – pledge $300 or more and receive all of the above PLUS a personalized video message to you or a friend of your choice, recorded by the cast during filming! Makes a fun birthday or anniversary surprise, or just a terrific prank to play on your conservative friends!
