Directed by Jacen Tan and starring Alaric and Benjamin Heng, who are also co-producers, Zombiepura is a local production which is imbued with NS elements; it’s also possibly Singapore’s first zombie flick.
The plot revolves around a mysterious virus outbreak in an isolated army camp, which starts turn people into zombies, and it is up to a “chaokeng” (lazy) reservist soldier and his “siao-on” (law-abiding) commander to fight together to survive and save the world, while learning about the real meaning of being a soldier.
The movie starts off slow, which feels a little draggy, but when the sh*t hits the fan, that’s when all the fun begins. The story is more or less predictable, but the uniquely Singaporean humour (and slang) makes it more interesting to watch. It is funny to see the zombies doing SOC (Standard Obstacle Course) and standing at attention to the National Anthem/Bugle Call, even when they are supposed to be dead.
Joey Pink Lai’s character is not just a decorative “flower vase”. In the movie, she plays a “chiobu” (pretty) canteen operator who later on has an important role in assisting folks during the zombie outbreak. It is also heart-warming to see how the two lead characters (played by Alaric & Benjamin) develop over time, becoming more mature and acknowledging their own weaknesses. It’s also interesting to see how people change differently in times of crisis – those you consider as friends may betray you in times of need, while strangers can be the ones to save your butt ultimately.
While Zombiepura ends on a good note, it would be more interesting to see it expand to the whole of Singapore. After all, Zombiepura = Zombie + Singapura, so hopefully there will be a sequel in the pipeline to address this, so that our soldiers are challenged to protect the whole nation.
Meanwhile, there are some tips to take away from the movie; if you’re ever in a zombie situation in Singapore, stock up on mosquito repellents and download the National Anthem right away!
Zombiepura was part of Scream Asia Film Festival 2018 which is happening from 19 – 28 October.
Reviewed by LuckyBoySng
