Our Collective Spirit

When I was commissioned to make a film for cine65 Season 5 (2019), under the theme “SINGAPURA”, I thought of a Singapore that embraces everyone — a home shaped by many hands, where every contribution matters.

My short film, Sama Sama, was born from that vision: that the story of Singapore is a shared one, built not by a few, but by the collective effort of rakyat Singapura "the Singaporean".

That’s why I was especially heartened to see Sama Sama resonate with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong — both of whom have expressed, with clarity and wisdom, what it means to move forward together as a society.

“Progress means recognising the value in every job – in the trades, crafts, and services, no less than in offices and boardrooms – and ensuring that everyone who contributes to society earns respect and can build a good life.”

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam
(Opening of Parliament Address, 5 September 2025)

“To keep Singapore going, we must be a ‘We-First’ society. Because if everyone only thinks about ‘me’, and puts ‘me’ ahead of ‘we’, then we are finished… But if each of us does our part for the ‘we’ – care, contribute, and look out for one another – then the ‘me’ will thrive and flourish too.”

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
(National Day Rally, 17 August 2025)

Their words are a timely reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping this home strong. 

I’m grateful that Sama Sama could play a small part in echoing that message.

Watch Sama Sama here.