Xiaohai bu ben (2002)

Director:

Jack Neo

Writers:

Jack Neo (screenplay)
Jack Neo (story)

Release Date:

9 February 2002 (Singapore)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Plot:

Kok Pin, Boon Hock and Terry are classmates in "EM3" stream. In Singapore, that means that at the age of 12...

Plot Keywords:

Singapore | Business | Advertising | Singaporean Police | Office Politics

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jack Neo	...	Mr. Liu
Yun Xiang	...	Mrs. Liu
Richard Low	...	Mr. Khoo
Selena Tan	...	Mrs. Khoo
Po Ju Huang	...	Terry Khoo
Shawn Lee	...	Liu Kok Pin
Joshua Ang	...	Ang Boon Hock
Cheryl Chan	...	Selena Khoo
Su-Ru Wen	...	Ms. Lee
Xian Bin Zheng	...	Ang Tiong Meng
Kwee-hiok Lim	...	Tiong Meng's mother
Choi Yeng Wong	...	Boon Hock's mother
Sally Ong	...	Ms. Lim
Wai Ying Wang	...	Ms. Choo
Bing Chee	...	Chinese Teacher

Also Known As:

I Not Stupid (International: English title)

Runtime:

105 min | Japan:108 min

Country:

Singapore

Language:

English | Mandarin | Hokkien

Color:

Color

Certification:

Philippines:G | USA:PG | Malaysia:U | Hong Kong:I | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Singapore

Company:

Mediacorp Raintree Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: At one point, someone says that "Chinese New Year is coming soon" (the date of Chinese New Year varies, but it is always in January or February), but later Jerry Khoo receives a text message and says that "terrorists flew a plane into the tallest building in the US" (September 11, 2001). Since Chinese New Year occurs at the end of the movie, perhaps the filmmakers added the second line as a memorial to 9/11 but forgot that it was the wrong time of year in the movie.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Xiaohai bu ben 2 (2006)

good effort

This is a well made film for the Singaporeans to have a laugh at themselves and at their government. Do not be fooled at the title " I NOT Stupid" , which suggests a B-grade show, this is actually a satire with multi layered meanings inside.

It does not take much to figure out that the character of the rich and autocratic mother who meddles in her children's affairs too much, is a persona representation of the government. And her 2 kids, Selena and Terry, are the citizens who react differently under such an autocratic rule.

But it is indeed a surprise that this movie passes the strict censorship board. But maybe, the government by allowing this film to pass, is showing that the political situation has changed, for the better maybe.

If any foreigner wants to have a deeper understanding of the social situation of Singapore society, this movie is a great place to start.