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Singapore eases screening limits for dialect films, with Mandarin dub required
The policy applies to theatrical releases, and Singapore also plans to loosen pay TV restrictions for dialect content, with details to come.
Singapore will relax long-standing limits on the number of cinema screenings for Chinese dialect films, ending a decades-long approach that generally favored Mandarin, according to SCMP Economy. The change comes with a condition that a Mandarin-dubbed version must be available.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the government will also ease restrictions for pay television content in dialect, though the specific details will be announced later. Speaking at Singapore’s National Day Rally, Wong said authorities aim to make more room for dialects even as they continue promoting Mandarin.
Under prior guidelines, Chinese films for theatrical release were generally expected to be in Mandarin, while dialect films were approved on a case-by-case basis. SCMP Economy reported the earlier rules were aligned with Singapore’s Speak Mandarin Campaign launched in 1979 to replace dialects with Mandarin within the Chinese community.
Wong linked the shift to renewed public debate sparked by the Chinese indie film Dear You. SCMP Economy said the movie was filmed primarily in Teochew, premiered locally in June, and prompted discussion that the prime minister said recalled pioneers’ sacrifices, hardships, and values.