For the first time in Singapore, movie-goers were actually encouraged to send out SMSes during a movie!
But these were no ordinary SMSes; these were text messages children sent to their parents to express their love and appreciation.
These text messages were projected on screens during a very special movie screening of Jack Neo’s latest film, Money No Enough 2, which was attended by 4,000 people at Singapore Expo Hall 8 on 24 August. The event was jointly organized by City Harvest Community Services Association (CHCSA) and youth organization *scape, with the support of Raintree Pictures.
In conjunction with the movie, which emphasised on family values in today’s generation, the purpose of this event was to promote filial piety and encourage people to cherish their families more.
Although the screening was due to start at 2.30pm, by 1.30pm a long queue of excited viewers was snaking from the doors of Hall 8 all the way down the walkways to Foyer 3, about 500 metres away.
To promote filial piety, many of them proudly wore the “Not Just A Name“ T-shirt, which was specially designed for the event. The phrase “Not Just A Name” was taken from a song in the movie, which said the word “Mother” was nothing more than a name.
The audience comprised people of all ages and from all walks of life, including youth, parents and many elderly who were specially bused down to participate in the event.
The movie touched the hearts of the audience, drawing many tears as the audience followed the struggles of the three Yang brothers to overcome financial crisis, and care for their elderly, self-sacrificing mother.
Aside from the movie screening, the audience was treated to guest appearances by director Jack Neo, as well as cast members Henry Thia, Lin Ru Ping, Zhu Ling Ling, Vivian Lai and Natalli, some of whom sang on stage as well.
PHOTOS: CHCSA
The Mayor of the South West District, Dr Amy Khor, who graced the event, expressed the importance of not taking one’s parents for granted and urged participants to send out an SMS to their parents to express their love to them.
As Money No Enough 2 so aptly reinforced, even when we are facing tough financial situations and various challenges in life, the value of our family should never be forgotten.
