Big dreams, Small island

I rarely buy VCDs and DVDs. But usually when I'm in a mood to buy a film, I tend to pick a Made in Singapore movie. That means my choices are pretty limited as I tend to buy Jack Neo's productions. So this time, I bought Colin & Yen Yen's production - Singapore Dreaming.

It is a film that will strike a chord with Singaporeans especially those born in last century, like me! It used a lot of vernacular language, and incorporated a strong sense of local flavour. Most importantly, the movie speaks aloud what Singaporeans want, Condo, Car, Cash. An average typical father trying to work towards his elite life, and the only way he knows how to do it is by buying lottery. Indeed buying 4D and Toto is a common sight in Singapore. The only problem is he is heavily in debt because he borrowed money to send his son to USA to study. And he is very proud of this overseas graduate son.
Sometimes I wonder why Singaporeans views graduates as something to be proud of. In the past, there are not many graduates but from my generation onwards, the number of graduates has increased. Sometimes I feel that my degree is nothing special because if you go out on the streets and pick a handful of people, most probably you will find the majority are graduates.
Just as if you go out on the streets and pick a handful of people, most probably you will also find the majority has a maid in their house. Hiring a maid is a way to elevate your status, in this world. To have someone to serve you, to take care of you and to let you feel you are in power. But is a maid really for that reason?

I feel that Singaporeans keep hankering for something, keep trying to upgrade themselves, keep trying to elevate their status. But in the process, are they happy? Or are we like hamster in the wheel that keeps running non-stop for self-amusement? Most importantly, are we running for our sake or because we were told to do so?

This movie makes me reflect a lot on what the impact the system has on me. And times like this, I will start asking myself does having what everybody has leads to happiness?