| Twilight Kitchen | |
| Starring: |
|
| Studio: | Jiawei Media |
| Director: | Gerald Lee |
| Runtime: | 89 minutes |
| Country: | Singapore |
| Language: | Chinese |
| Gross: | $250,000 |
Twilight Kitchen, is a 2003 Singaporean "community" film directed by Gerald Lee.[1] [2] [3] The film was initially only meant to encourage companies to employ ex-prisoners.[4] It was the first "community film" in Singapore.[5] It was also the first time a film directed by Lee was screened in local theatres.[6]
Mai Zhi Hao, an ex-offender, seeks a second chance at life, and is offered work at the 'Twilight Kitchen' restaurant, having learnt to cook in prison.
The film was originally meant to be released straight-to-VCD in 2003.[7] However, after receiving praise, the film was instead given a theatrical release from 17 July to 30 July in two theatres, and premiered on 12 July in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, with the guest of honour being Tan Choo Leng, the wife of then Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong.[8] [9] [10]
Lee Yiyun of Lianhe Zaobao rated the film C+ for entertainment and C for art, while Hong Minghua of Lianhe Zaobao rated the film C+ for entertainment and C− for art.[11] Chen Yunhong of Shin Min Daily News gave the film three stars out of five.[12] Hong Ai Li of The Straits Times praised the performances of Zhang and Lim, while criticising the conclusion for being predictable.[13]