樂. Melody of love.

• Main Authors: Chan, Eunice Wan Wai., Koh, Bee Kwee., Tan, Shi Hui., Wu, Charmaine Jiawei.
• Other Authors: Lin Tsui-Chuan, Trisha
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities::Drama
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/50337
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Set in a Chinese family, this 24-minute short film, Melody of Love aims to address the erosion of Chinese culture in Singapore. This film focuses on the clash of Western and Asian values which is represented by the differences in the music genres associated with the protagonist and his father. In this film, the protagonist plays cosmopolitan rock music, a genre adopted to symbolize the Western culture, while his father plays the traditional Erhu, most commonly used in the Chinese Orchestra. This film constantly questions the passing of traditional roots in today’s modern society by juxtaposing Chinese beliefs with Western thinking which is reflected in the conflicting and molding scenes involving the protagonist, his aged father and the young Western-educated grandson. These conflicts lead us to the question as to whether there can be a point of reconciliation between popular culture and our precious heritage roots. Visuals and music are given equal emphasis in this film, with the intensive use of contrasting music genres aimed at reflecting important familial issues. The use of music in Melody of Love serves not just as simple background music to create the film mood; various soundtracks were also specially composed to better express the main theme of heritage preservation through the use of traditional instruments in most melodies. In the finale, the protagonist comes round with his composition of a contemporary Mandopop song that is accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments which signifies his acknowledgement of the importance of his own heritage. The lyrics of this Mandopop song was also written by the scriptwriter where the development of the lyrics was intended not only to parallel the film plot line, but also serves as a resolution in the film where the protagonist finally mends his relationship with his father. This film arrives at the conclusion that the pursuit for modernity is generally inevitable but preservation of heritage amidst this is possible and of utmost importance.