Singapore Confidential

Two filmmakers, a former gang member and a cross dresser reveal another side of the country that few are aware exists.

- Farhan Shah

IT BEGINS AFTER DARK in the sanctuary of shadow, away from the bright lights associated with the success of Singapore. In this world, a different side emerges. “Scrape the surface of society and you’ll find there are interesting characters with fascinating stories to tell,” shared Leo Poloniecki, one of the two creative minds behind Singapore Confidential, a short documentary premiering on Discovery Channel’s JumpCut Asia this month. It’s already out on YouTube.

Poloniecki’s accomplice Abdul Malek Ramli was the man with the scraper. “Leo and I had a list of people whom we wanted to film, ranging from a hitman to a conman. One of them, Kulbir, used to be a member of a secret society. But then Singapore Confidential seemed to be heading down a dark path, so we decided to include some lighter elements,” said Malek. The final piece in the puzzle was Sammi Zhen, an animated cross dresser.

With any local film, fiction or otherwise, that broaches the dark side, the shadow of the censorship board is always close behind. Poloniecki feels that we need to relax.