Film turns comedy into public awareness

After an 18-year hiatus since its last sequel, I Not Stupid, a satire comedy film series from Singapore, will make a comeback to tickle the funny bones of Chinese audiences, with the third and latest film to hit Chinese mainland theaters on Friday.

Under the direction of veteran Singaporean filmmaker Jack Neo, the new film tells the story of a sixth-grade student who transfers from Shanghai to Singapore. Although he quickly adapts to the new environment and makes friends, the young teen struggles with his pushy mother who quits her job to accompany him and tries various methods to improve his grades.

Attending the Beijing premiere on Tuesday, Neo shared that he was inspired to create the new film after observing several peidu (accompanying education) mothers in Singapore, a special group who sacrifice their personal lives to focus entirely on their children's future. He hopes the movie will raise public awareness and prompt more parents to consider the implications of pushing their children too hard.

Actress Hu Jing, who plays the role of the Shanghai mother, expressed her admiration of Neo's talent, particularly impressed by I Not Stupid and its sequels released in 2002 and 2006, both of which received nominations from the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Peter Tan, Singapore's ambassador to China, attended the event and expressed his admiration for the lines of the film's theme song, adding that he believes it is not just about education but also about the belief that each of us can lead a good life.