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Twilight Kitchen

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Twilight Kitchen
Directed byGerald Lee
Starring
Production
company
Jiawei Media
Release date
  • 12 July 2003 (2003-07-12)
Running time
89 minutes
CountrySingapore
LanguageChinese
Box office$250,000

Twilight Kitchen (Chinese: 聚味楼), is a 2003 Singaporean "community" film directed by Gerald Lee.[1][2][3] The film was initially only meant to encourage companies to employ ex-prisoners.[4] It was the first "community film" in Singapore.[5] It was also the first time a film directed by Lee was screened in local theatres.[6]

Plot

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Mai Zhi Hao, an ex-offender, seeks a second chance at life, and is offered work at the 'Twilight Kitchen' restaurant, having learnt to cook in prison.

Cast

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Release

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The film was originally meant to be released straight-to-VCD in 2003.[7] However, after receiving praise, the film was instead given a theatrical release from 17 July to 30 July in two theatres, and premiered on 12 July in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, with the guest of honour being Tan Choo Leng, the wife of then Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong.[8][9][10]

Reception

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Lee Yiyun of Lianhe Zaobao rated the film C+ for entertainment and C for art, while Hong Minghua of Lianhe Zaobao rated the film C+ for entertainment and C− for art.[11] Chen Yunhong of Shin Min Daily News gave the film three stars out of five.[12] Hong Ai Li of The Straits Times praised the performances of Zhang and Lim, while criticising the conclusion for being predictable.[13]

References

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  1. ^ 林增盈 (6 October 2002). "为拍《聚味楼》 不知自己怀孕汤妙玲险流产". Lianhe Wanbao. Singapore.
  2. ^ 李亦筠 (20 June 2003). "《聚味楼》当男主角 张文祥:运气很重要". Lianhe Zaobao. Singapore.
  3. ^ 陈彬雁; 杨明翰; 赖南达 (6 March 2003). "林益民'嘴歪'不搞笑". Lianhe Zaobao. Singapore.
  4. ^ "Movie to help ex-convicts scores". Streats. Singapore. 20 June 2003.
  5. ^ 黄亿敏 (20 June 2003). "林益民登大银幕". Lianhe Wanbao. Singapore.
  6. ^ 李亦筠; 邝启聪 (17 September 2003). "《聚味楼》导演李世雄 赞老婆陈丽贞演技有层次". Lianhe Zaobao. Singapore.
  7. ^ Ho, Ai Li (30 June 2003). "Kitchen movie chicken soup for the soul". The Straits Times. Singapore.
  8. ^ "出狱者心声《聚味楼》 户外首映会吸引两千人". Lianhe Zaobao. Singapore. 13 September 2003.
  9. ^ 陈韵红 (21 June 2003). "接拍社区电影《聚味楼》 林益民这回不搞笑". Shin Min Daily News. Singapore.
  10. ^ Tan, Jeanmarie (5 July 2003). "Topless Moses". The New Paper. Singapore.
  11. ^ 李亦筠; 洪铭铧 (19 September 2003). "本周院线新片 平民天后流露淡淡甜蜜 聚味楼 煮出温馨菜色". Lianhe Zaobao. Singapore.
  12. ^ 陈韵红 (20 September 2003). "一连两部本土制作". Shin Min Daily News. Singapore.
  13. ^ Ho, Ai Li (16 July 2003). "TWILIGHT KITCHEN (PG)". The Straits Times. Singapore.