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{{Infobox Film
{{Infobox Film
| name = I Not Stupid
| name = I Not Stupid
| image = I Not Stupid.jpg
| image = I Not Stupid.jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| director = [[Jack Neo]]
| director = [[Jack Neo]]
| producer = David Leong<br />[[Chan Pui Yin]]
| producer = David Leong<br />[[Chan Pui Yin]]
| writer = Jack Neo
| writer = Jack Neo
| starring = Jack Neo<br />[[Richard Low]]<br />[[Xiang Yun]]<br />[[Selena Tan]]<br>[[Shawn Lee]]<br />[[Huang Po Ju]]<br>[[Joshua Ang]]
| starring = Jack Neo<br />[[Richard Low]]<br />[[Xiang Yun]]<br />[[Selena Tan]]<br />[[Shawn Lee]]<br />[[Huang Po Ju]]<br />[[Joshua Ang]]
| music =
| music =
| cinematography =
| cinematography =
| editing =
| editing =
| distributor = [[United International Pictures]]
| distributor = [[United International Pictures]]
| released = {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[9 February]] [[2002]]
| released = {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[9 February]] [[2002]]
| runtime = 105 min
| runtime = 105 min
| country = [[Singapore]]
| country = [[Singapore]]
| language = [[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]]&nbsp;/&nbsp;[[Min Nan|Hokkien]]&nbsp;/&nbsp;[[English language|English]]
| language = [[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]]&nbsp;/&nbsp;[[Min Nan|Hokkien]]&nbsp;/&nbsp;[[English language|English]]
| budget = [[Singapore dollar|S$]]1,000,000
| budget = [[Singapore dollar|S$]]1,000,000
| preceded_by =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by = ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]''
| followed_by = ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]''
| website =
| website =
| imdb_id = 0307681
| imdb_id = 0307681
}}
}}
'''''I Not Stupid''''' ({{Zh-cp|c=小孩不笨|p=xiǎohái bù bèn}}) is a [[Cinema of Singapore|Singapore film]] written and directed by [[Jack Neo]], and produced by [[MediaCorp Raintree Pictures]]. It stars [[Xiang Yun]], [[Richard Low]], [[Selena Tan]], [[Shawn Lee]], [[Huang Po Ju]] and [[Joshua Ang]].
'''''I Not Stupid''''' ({{Zh-cp|c=小孩不笨|p=xiǎohái bù bèn}}) is a [[Cinema of Singapore|Singaporean film]] written and [[film director|directed]] by [[Jack Neo]], and [[film producer|produced]] by [[MediaCorp Raintree Pictures]]. It stars [[Xiang Yun]], [[Richard Low]], [[Selena Tan]], [[Shawn Lee]], [[Huang Po Ju]] and [[Joshua Ang]].


⚫
Released in cinemas on [[9 February]] [[2002]],<ref>{{cite web| url = http://dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/17551.html| title = I Not Stupid|accessdate = 2006-12-17}}</ref><ref name="MediaCorp">{{cite web | title = Corporate Profile | url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/about_us/corp_profile.htm | publisher = MediaCorp Raintree Pictures | date = 2005}}</ref><!--are two refs really necessary for the release date?--> ''I Not Stupid'' earned over [[Singapore dollar|S$]]3.8 million. It is the third-highest grossing movie in [[Singapore]], after ''[[Money No Enough]]'' and the film's sequel, ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]'', which was released in cinemas on [[26 January]] [[2006]]. The film was nominated for Best Asian Film at the 2003 [[Hong Kong Film Awards]] but lost to ''[[My Sassy Girl]]''.
Released in cinemas on [[9 February]] [[2002]],<ref>
⚫
{{cite web| url = http://dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/17551.html| title = I Not Stupid|accessdate = 2006-12-17}}</ref><ref name="MediaCorp"> {{cite web | title = Corporate Profile | url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/about_us/corp_profile.htm | publisher = MediaCorp Raintree Pictures | date = 2005}} </ref> ''I Not Stupid'' earned over [[Singapore dollar|S$]]3.8 million. It is the all-time third-highest grossing movie in Singapore, after ''[[Money No Enough]]'' and its sequel, ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]'', which was released in cinemas on [[26 January]] [[2006]]. The film was nominated for Best Asian Film at the 2003 [[Hong Kong Film Awards]], but lost to ''[[My Sassy Girl]]''.


The film portrays the lives, struggles, and adventures of three [[Education_in_Singapore#Primary_education|Primary 6]] pupils who are placed in the academically inferior [[EM3]] [[Streaming (education)|stream]]. This [[satire|satirical]] [[comedy]] criticises the [[Education in Singapore|Singapore education system]] and some social attitudes in Singapore, including the competitive ''[[kiasu]]'' mentality and the over-obedience to authority.
The film portrays the lives, struggles, and adventures of three [[Education in Singapore#Primary education|Primary 6]] pupils who are placed in the academically inferior [[EM3]] [[Streaming (education)|stream]]. This [[satire|satirical]] [[comedy]] criticises the [[Education in Singapore|Singaporean education system]] and social attitudes in Singapore, including the competitive ''[[kiasu]]'' mentality and over-obedience to authority.


==Production==
==Production==
In an interview with the Singapore Medical Association, Jack Neo said that the [[Cinema of Iran|Iranian]] film, ''[[Children of Heaven]]'', inspired him to write about children, a trend that continued in his next movie, ''[[Homerun (film)|Homerun]]'', which was a remake of ''Children of Heaven''.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sma.org.sg/sma_news/3404/nonmedica.pdf| title = Interview with Mr Jack Neo and Dr Winston Hwang from the cast of Local Production "I Not Stupid"| accessdate = 2006-12-17| last = Hwa| first = Dr. Tan Hooi | coauthors = Krysania Tan, Regina Chan| year = 2002| month = 4| format = PDA| work = SMA News| pages = 5 - 10}}</ref>
In a 2002 interview with the Singapore Medical Association, Jack Neo said that the [[Cinema of Iran|Iranian]] film, ''[[Children of Heaven]]'', inspired him to write about children, a trend that continued in his next movie, ''[[Homerun (film)|Homerun]]'', a remake of ''Children of Heaven''.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sma.org.sg/sma_news/3404/nonmedica.pdf| title = Interview with Mr Jack Neo and Dr Winston Hwang from the cast of Local Production "I Not Stupid"| accessdate = 2006-12-17| last = Hwa| first = Dr. Tan Hooi | coauthors = Krysania Tan, Regina Chan| year = 2002| month = 4| format = PDA| work = SMA News| pages = 5 - 10}}</ref>


''I Not Stupid'' was produced by [[Raintree Pictures]] on a budget of S$900,000,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://194.21.179.166/cecudine/fe_2002/eng/singapore2002.htm| title = Temperatures rising: Singapore film in 2001| accessdate = 2006-12-17| last = Uhde| first = Yvonne Ng| coauthors = Jan Uhde| format = HTML| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050512202637/http://194.21.179.166/cecudine/fe_2002/eng/singapore2002.htm| archivedate = 2005-05-12}}</ref> sponsored by [[Bee Cheng Hiang]], [[Yeo Hiap Seng]] and [[Sunshine Bakeries]].<ref name="review0">{{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | author=Soh Yun-Huei | publisher = FilmAsia | url = http://www.filmsasia.net/gpage2.html }}</ref> The child stars were selected through an audition of over 50 children.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Table| title = THE CASTS| accessdate = 2006-12-17| year = 2002| format = HTML| publisher = Raintree Pictures Pte Ltd}}</ref> Besides writing the script, Jack Neo directed ''I Not Stupid'' and composed the theme song, which was sung by [[Chen Guorong]]. [[Daniel Yun]], the CEO of Raintree Pictures, was the executive producer, assisted by [[David Leong]] and [[Chan Pui Yin]].<ref name="prodnotes"> {{cite web | title = “I Not Stupid” - Production notes | url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/ins/ins_prodnotes.htm | publisher = MediaCorp Raintree Pictures | date = 2002}} </ref>
<!--odd jump; try to better connect previous graf with this one-->''I Not Stupid'' was produced by [[Raintree Pictures]] on a budget of S$900,000,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://194.21.179.166/cecudine/fe_2002/eng/singapore2002.htm| title = Temperatures rising: Singapore film in 2001| accessdate = 2006-12-17| last = Uhde| first = Yvonne Ng| coauthors = Jan Uhde| format = HTML| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050512202637/http://194.21.179.166/cecudine/fe_2002/eng/singapore2002.htm| archivedate = 2005-05-12}}</ref> sponsored by [[Bee Cheng Hiang]], [[Yeo Hiap Seng]] and [[Sunshine Bakeries]].<ref name="review0">{{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | author=Soh Yun-Huei | publisher = FilmAsia | url = http://www.filmsasia.net/gpage2.html }}</ref> Besides writing and directing, Neo also composed the [[theme song]], which [[Chen Guorong]] sang. The production crew included [[Daniel Yun]] as executive producer, [[David Leong]] and [[Chan Pui Yin]] as producers, [[Ardy Lam]] as [[cinematographer]] and [[Li Yi]] as music supervisor.<ref name="prodnotes"> {{cite web | title = “I Not Stupid” - Production notes | url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/ins/ins_prodnotes.htm | publisher = MediaCorp Raintree Pictures | date = 2002}} </ref> The child stars were selected through an audition of over 50 children.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Table| title = THE CASTS| accessdate = 2006-12-17| year = 2002| format = HTML| publisher = Raintree Pictures Pte Ltd}}</ref>


The film was shot at Braddell Westlake Secondary School and Westlake Primary School. It was distributed by Raintree Pictures and [[United International Pictures]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/js/fs.asp?ref=/inotstupid2_160106.htm\| title = UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, MEDIACORP RAINTREE PICTURES AND SCORPIO EAST PICTURES RELEASE “I NOT STUPID TOO”| accessdate = 2006-12-17| year = 2005| format = HTML| publisher = MediaCorp Raintree Pictures Pte Ltd}}</ref>
Filming took place at Braddell Westlake Secondary School and Westlake Primary School. The shooting was completed in 24 days.<ref name=””>Wong Kim Hoh, “Who says I’m only good at drag?”, The Straits Times, 20 June 2004</ref> Raintree Pictures and [[United International Pictures]] distributed the film.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/js/fs.asp?ref=/inotstupid2_160106.htm| title = UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, MEDIACORP RAINTREE PICTURES AND SCORPIO EAST PICTURES RELEASE “I NOT STUPID TOO”| accessdate = 2006-12-17| year = 2005| format = HTML| publisher = MediaCorp Raintree Pictures Pte Ltd}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
{{spoilers}}
[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Mrs Liu canes Kok Pin for poor grades]]
[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Mrs Liu canes Kok Pin for poor grades]]
Liu Kok Pin (played by [[Shawn Lee]]), Terry Khoo ([[Huang Po Ju]]) and Ang Boon Hock ([[Joshua Ang]]) are three students in the EM3 stream. Kok Pin is a talented artist, but his mother ([[Xiang Yun]]) does not appreciate his talent, and frequently canes him for poor grades. Terry, a pampered boy from a rich family, always listens to his mother, in contrast to his defiant sister, Selena ([[Cheryl Chan]]). Boon Hock comes from a poor family; his mother sells [[wonton noodles]] to earn a living. He is loyal to his friends and always defends them.
Liu Kok Pin, Terry Khoo and Ang Boon Hock are students in the EM3 stream. Kok Pin is a gifted artist, but his mother does not appreciate his talent, and frequently canes him for poor grades. Terry, pampered and from a rich family, is an obedient, ''[[wikt:guāi|guai]]'' boy who always listens to his mother, in contrast to his defiant sister, Selena. Boon Hock comes from a poor family; he is loyal to his friends and always defends them.


Mrs. Khoo ([[Selena Tan]]) often forces Selena and Terry to act against their wishes, "for their own good". As a result, she and Selena regularly quarrel over trivial matters, and the mother-daughter relationship deteriorates. Selena joins a teenage gang in her quest for greater freedom, but after being arrested, is placated when her mother buys her a pair of long-cherished sports shoes.
Mrs. Khoo often forces Selena and Terry to act against their wishes, "for their own good". As a result, Selena and her regularly quarrel over trivial matters, and their relationship deteriorates. Selena joins a teenage gang in her quest for greater freedom, but after being arrested, is placated when her mother buys her a pair of long-cherished sports shoes, and quits the gang.


Due to a fight over a parking lot, an enmity develops between Mr. Khoo ([[Richard Low]]) and Mr. Liu ([[Jack Neo]]). Mr. Khoo is a belligerent businessman who owns Good Friend Ba Gua, a company selling [[bakkwa|ba gua]]. He fires an employee over an accident regarding handling a machine. The advertising company for which Mr. Liu works hires an American, John, as the Creative Director.
Mr. Khoo is a belligerent businessman who owns Good Friend Ba Gua, a company selling [[bakkwa|ba gua]]. An enmity develops between Mr. Khoo and Mr. Liu after a fight over <!--control of?-->a parking lot. Mr. Khoo fires an employee over an accident regarding handling a machine. The advertising company for which Mr. Liu works hires an American, John, as the Creative Director.<!--choppy paragraph-->


[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 2.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A fight between Tiong Meng and the EM3 students]]
[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 2.jpg|thumb|200px|A fight between Tiong Meng and the EM3 students]]
Mr. Liu's and John's respective advertising teams compete with each other in order to convince a client to accept a proposal. Mr. Liu's friend, Ben, is outraged upon discovering that John stole some of Mr Liu's ideas for his proposal. The client then turns out to be Mr. Khoo, who instantly rejects Mr. Liu's proposal, opting for John's instead. As John's ideas are totally incompatible with Chinese customs, Mr. Khoo's business suffers in the face of competition from a [[Taiwan]]ese company, Taiwan Ba Gua King.
Mr. Liu's and John's advertising teams compete with each other in order to convince a client to accept a proposal<!--more detail?-->. Mr. Liu's friend, Ben, is outraged upon discovering that John stole some of Mr Liu's ideas for his<!--whose?--> proposal. The client turns out to be Mr. Khoo, who instantly rejects Mr. Liu's proposal, opting for John's instead. As John's ideas are totally incompatible with Chinese customs, Mr. Khoo's business suffers in the face of competition from a [[Taiwan]]ese company, Taiwan Ba Gua King.


Tiong Meng, Boon Hock's cousin, mocks the EM3 students, starting a fight during which he accidentally suffers a face injury. At the Discipline Mistress's office, Boon Hock and Kok Pin explain what happened. However, due to his mother's instructions to "mind his own business", Terry declines to testify in their favour. This infuriates his friends, who accuse him of "not being a man".
Meanwhile, Tiong Meng, Boon Hock's cousin, mocks the three EM3 students, starting a fight during which he accidentally suffers a face injury. At the Discipline Mistress's office, Boon Hock and Kok Pin explain what happened. However, due to his mother's instructions to "mind his own business", Terry declines to testify in their favour. This infuriates his friends, who accuse him of "not being a man".


[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 3.jpg|thumb|200px|The kidnappers' arrest]]
[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 3.jpg|thumb|200px|The kidnappers' arrest]]
Subsequently, Ms. Lee becomes the new form teacher of the EM3 class. She inspires Boon Hock to excel in his studies, and he moves to the head of his class in [[Mathematics|Maths]]. Boon Hock stands up for Terry when a woman accuses Terry of bullying her son. To prove he is "a man", a grateful Terry offers to serve Boon Hock's mother's wonton noodle customers, but gets injured in the process.
Subsequently, Ms. Lee becomes the new form teacher<!--what's a form teacher? link?--> of the EM3 class. She inspires Boon Hock to excel in his studies, and he rises to the head of his class in [[Mathematics|maths]]. Boon Hock stands up for Terry when a woman accuses Terry of bullying her son. To prove he is "a man", a grateful Terry offers to serve Boon Hock's mother's wonton noodle customers, but is injured in the process<!--vague...how?-->.


Later, a man approaches the gang of friends. He offers a preview of his video games in his van, games that have been supposedly [[piracy|pirated]] before they even were released. It turns out to be a trap: the man, with help from an accomplice, attempts to [[kidnap]] Terry. Boon Hock tries to save his friend, but the kidnappers decide to take him as well. Kok Pin is shoved onto the ground in the struggle and is left behind as the van speeds away. When the police question him as a witness, Kok Pin skillfully draws the two kidnappers' faces.
⚫
The ex-employee of Good Friend Ba Gua (who was fired by Mr. Khoo over handling a machine), with his friend ([[Mark Lee]]) as an accomplice, kidnaps Terry and Boon Hock, demanding 20 million dollars from Mr. Khoo. While the kidnappers are sleeping, Boon Hock starts planning an escape, but the obedient Terry is initially reluctant to run away. After he decides to join the escape, the kidnappers wake up. A tumultuous chase ensues, which ultimately results in the kidnappers' arrest.


⚫
One of the kidnappers turns out to be the ex-employee of Good Friend Ba Gua who was fired by Mr. Khoo. They take Kok Pin and Terry to an [[Attap dwelling|attap hut]] in a sparsely populated area of the island. The ex-employee reveals that he was a foreign worker on [[visa]] who borrowed a substantial amount of money from [[loanshark]]s to come to Singapore, and he does not wish to return home empty-handed. He has kidnapped them to demand 20 thousand dollars from Mr. Khoo as ransom. While the kidnappers are sleeping, Boon Hock starts planning an escape, but the obedient Terry is initially reluctant to run away. After he decides to join the escape, the kidnappers wake up. A tumultuous chase ensues in the jungle outside the hut, which results in the kidnappers' arrest.
⚫
[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 4.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Kok Pin receiving his PSLE results]]
⚫
Boon Hock helps Kok Pin cheat in the [[preliminary examination]]s, but they are caught. Kok Pin, unable to face his mother, attempts suicide, but fails. Mrs. Liu is diagnosed with [[leukemia]], and is given three months to live. The school rallies to find a suitable bone marrow donor, so she can undergo a [[bone marrow transplant]].


⚫
[[Image:I Not Stupid screenshot 4.jpg|thumb|200px|Kok Pin receiving his PSLE results]]
⚫
In the [[Primary School Leaving Examination|PSLE]] maths exam, Book Hock scores 92/100; Terry, 65/100; and Kok Pin, 51/100. Contrary to Kok Pin's fears, his mother is satisfied because he has tried his best. When visiting Mrs. Liu at the hospital, Ms. Lee announces that one of Kok Pin's drawings won second prize in an international competition.
⚫
<!--awkward, sudden change-->Boon Hock helps Kok Pin cheat in the [[preliminary examination]]s, but they are caught. Kok Pin, unable to face his mother, attempts [[suicide]], but fails. Mrs. Liu is diagnosed with [[leukemia]], and is given three months to live. The school rallies to find a suitable [[bone marrow]] donor, so she can undergo a [[bone marrow transplant]].


⚫
In the [[Primary School Leaving Examination|PSLE]] mathematics exam, Book Hock scores 92/100; Terry, 65/100; and Kok Pin, 51/100. Contrary to Kok Pin's fears, his mother is satisfied because he has tried his best. When visiting Mrs. Liu at the hospital, Ms. Lee announces that one of Kok Pin's drawings won second prize in an international competition.
⚫
Mr. Khoo passes the [[Bone marrow transplant#Donor selection|HLA test]], but refuses to donate after discovering the intended recipient is his enemy's wife. Later, it is revealed that Terry, not Mr. Khoo, is the suitable donor. Despite protests from parents, he insists on undergoing the operation, which is a success. A grateful Mr. Liu offers to help Mr. Khoo's business with his proposal. As a result, Mr. Khoo's business booms, and the two enemies become good friends.

{{endspoiler}}
⚫
Mr. Khoo passes the [[Bone marrow transplant#Donor selection|HLA test]], but refuses to donate after discovering the intended recipient is his enemy's wife. Later, it is revealed that Terry, not Mr. Khoo, is the suitable donor. Despite protests from his parents, he insists on undergoing the operation, which is a success. A grateful Mr. Liu offers to help Mr. Khoo's business with his proposal. As a result, Mr. Khoo's business booms, and the two enemies become good friends.


==Cast==
==Cast==
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==Political satire==
==Political satire==
''I Not Stupid'' criticises [[streaming (education)|streaming]] in the [[Education in Singapore|Singapore education system]] for promoting [[academic elitism]], where pupils in academically inferior streams are looked down upon, making it [[Pygmalion effect|harder for them to catch up]] and realise their potential, even if they are not necessarily stupid.<ref name="review1"> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | url = http://www.lovehkfilm.com/panasia/i_not_stupid.htm | publisher = www.lovehkfilm.com }} </ref><ref name="review2"> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | url = http://www.kfccinema.com/reviews/comedy/inotstupid/inotstupid.html | author = Daniel Nguyen | publisher = KFC Cinema }} </ref><ref name="review3"> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | url = http://www.spcnet.tv/reviews/review.php?rID=463 | author = Funn Lim | publisher = Spcnet TV | date = 2005 }} </ref>
''I Not Stupid'' criticises [[streaming (education)|streaming]] in the [[Education in Singapore|Singapore education system]] for promoting [[academic elitism]], where pupils in academically inferior streams are looked down upon, making it [[Pygmalion effect|harder for them to catch up]] and realise their potential, even if they are not necessarily stupid.<ref name="review1"> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | url = http://www.lovehkfilm.com/panasia/i_not_stupid.htm | publisher = www.lovehkfilm.com }} </ref><ref name="review2"> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | url = http://www.kfccinema.com/reviews/comedy/inotstupid/inotstupid.html | author = Daniel Nguyen | publisher = KFC Cinema }} </ref><ref name="review3"> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid - Review | url = http://www.spcnet.tv/reviews/review.php?rID=463 | author = Funn Lim | publisher = Spcnet TV | date = 2005 }} </ref>


Mrs. Khoo's demands for total obedience from her children, and her repeated lines "Do you know how lucky you are to have a good and responsible mother?" and "This is all for your own good" parodies the [[Government of Singapore|Singapore government]]'s efforts to convince Singaporeans that their decisions are in the best interests of the nation.<ref name="review1"/><ref name="review3"/><ref name="Uhde and Uhde">{{cite book | last = Ciecko | first = Anne Tereska | coauthors = Uhde, Jan and Uhde, Yvnone Ng | title = Contemporary Asian Cinema | publisher = Berg | date = 2006 | location = New York | pages = "Singapore: Developments, Challenges and Projections", pp. 81-82 | id = ISBN 1 84520237 6}}</ref> In a scene at the office, Mr. Liu comments that "it is difficult to catch fish in Singapore, because fish in Singapore are like Singaporeans; they'll never open their mouths". This criticises the Singaporean trait of obedience and respect for authority.<ref name="review3"/>
Mrs. Khoo's demands total obedience from her children, and her repeated lines "Do you know how lucky you are to have a good and responsible mother?" and "This is all for your own good" parodies the [[Government of Singapore|Singapore government's]] efforts to convince Singaporeans that their decisions are in the best interests of the nation.<ref name="review1"/><ref name="review3"/><ref name="Uhde and Uhde">{{cite book | last = Ciecko | first = Anne Tereska | coauthors = Uhde, Jan and Uhde, Yvnone Ng | title = Contemporary Asian Cinema | publisher = Berg | date = 2006 | location = New York | pages = "Singapore: Developments, Challenges and Projections", pp. 81-82 | id = ISBN 1 84520237 6}}</ref> In a scene at the office, Mr. Liu comments that "it is difficult to catch fish in Singapore, because fish in Singapore are like Singaporeans; they'll never open their mouths". This criticises the Singaporean trait of obedience and respect for authority.<ref name="review3"/>


Other issues the film discusses include Singaporean companies which regard [[Western world|Western]] [[expatriate]]s as superior to local workers, the use of [[Singlish]], and the differences between [[English language|English]] and [[Chinese language|Chinese]].<ref name="review3"/>
Other issues the film discusses include Singaporean companies which regard [[Western world|Western]] [[expatriate]]s as superior to local workers, the use of [[Singlish]], and the differences between [[English language|English]] and [[Chinese language|Chinese]].<ref name="review3"/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
''I Not Stupid'' earned just S$46,000 during a limited sneak-preview run, prompting [[Raintree Pictures]] to embark on a massive publicity scheme, which included inviting teachers to discuss the film. After showing for four months on 30 screens, the movie earned S$3.8 million.<ref name="Uhde and Uhde"/> ''I Not Stupid'' is one of Singapore's all-time highest-grossing movies. When ''I Not Stupid'' was released, ''[[Money No Enough]]'' was the only Singaporean film with higher earnings.<ref name="INSgross">{{cite news | title = 'I Not Stupid Too' crosses $4m mark in box office takings | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/196454/1/.html | publisher = ChannelNewsAsia | date = 6 March 2006 }} </ref> In 2006, the sequel ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]'' grossed over S$4 million, replacing the original movie as the second-highest grossing Singapore movie of all time.<ref name="INSgross"/>
''I Not Stupid'' earned just S$46,000 during a limited sneak preview run, prompting [[Raintree Pictures]] to embark on a massive publicity scheme, which included inviting teachers to discuss the film. After showing for four months on 30 screens, the movie earned S$3.8 million.<ref name="Uhde and Uhde"/> ''I Not Stupid'' is one of Singapore's all-time highest-grossing movies. When ''I Not Stupid'' was released, ''[[Money No Enough]]'' was the only Singaporean film with higher earnings.<ref name="INSgross">{{cite news | title = 'I Not Stupid Too' crosses $4m mark in box office takings | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/196454/1/.html | publisher = ChannelNewsAsia | date = 6 March 2006 }} </ref> In 2006, the sequel ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]'' grossed over S$4 million, replacing the original movie as the second-highest grossing Singapore movie of all time.<ref name="INSgross"/>


Following its success in Singapore, ''I Not Stupid'' was screened in [[Hong Kong]], [[Taiwan]] and [[China]].<ref name="MediaCorp"/> ''I Not Stupid'' screened at the 2002 [[Pusan International Film Festival]]<ref name="Uhde and Uhde"/> and had a limited release in [[Thailand]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web | title = Chalermthai new movie | url = http://www.pantip.com/cafe/chalermthai/newmovie/inotstupid/ins.html | publisher = Pantip.com | date = 2004}} </ref>
Following its success in Singapore, ''I Not Stupid'' was screened in [[Hong Kong]], [[Taiwan]] and [[China]].<ref name="MediaCorp"/> ''I Not Stupid'' screened at the 2002 [[Pusan International Film Festival]]<ref name="Uhde and Uhde"/> and had a limited release in [[Thailand]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web | title = Chalermthai new movie | url = http://www.pantip.com/cafe/chalermthai/newmovie/inotstupid/ins.html | publisher = Pantip.com | date = 2004}} </ref>


''I Not Stupid'' won several awards, including the Best Chinese Film Award at the [[Golden Bauhinia Awards]]. In addition, SIGNIS awarded ''I Not Stupid'' the Best Chinese Humanitarian Film Award at the Taiwan Golden Torch Award 2002. The film was nominated for Best Asian Film at the [[Hong Kong Film Awards]], but lost to ''[[My Sassy Girl]]''.<ref name="MediaCorp"/><ref> {{cite news | title = Celebration of Singapore-made Films at Cannes Film Festival’s Tous les Cinémas du Monde | url = http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/thenewsdesk.aspx?sid=712 | publisher = Media Development Authority | date = 9 May 2006 }} </ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Awards for Xiaohai bu ben | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307681/awards | publisher = Internet Movie Database }}</ref>
''I Not Stupid'' won several awards, including the Best Chinese Film Award at the [[Golden Bauhinia Awards]]. In addition, SIGNIS awarded ''I Not Stupid'' the Best Chinese Humanitarian Film Award at the Taiwan Golden Torch Award 2002. The film was nominated for Best Asian Film at the [[Hong Kong Film Awards]], but lost to ''[[My Sassy Girl]]''.<ref name="MediaCorp"/><ref> {{cite news | title = Celebration of Singapore-made Films at Cannes Film Festival’s Tous les Cinémas du Monde | url = http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/thenewsdesk.aspx?sid=712 | publisher = Media Development Authority | date = 9 May 2006 }} </ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Awards for Xiaohai bu ben | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307681/awards | publisher = Internet Movie Database }}</ref>


Critics gave generally positive reviews of ''I Not Stupid'', praising it for its uniqueness and for touching a raw nerve among Singaporeans.<ref name="review1"/><ref name="review2"/><ref name="review3"/> One reviewer expressed surprise that the [[Censorship in Singapore|Singapore censors]] allowed its release.<ref name="review0"/>
Critics gave generally positive reviews of ''I Not Stupid'', praising it for its uniqueness and for touching a raw nerve among Singaporeans.<ref name="review1"/><ref name="review2"/><ref name="review3"/> One reviewer expressed surprise that the [[Censorship in Singapore|Singapore censors]] allowed its release.<ref name="review0"/>


Despite containing satirical criticism of government policies, the film received positive responses from the [[Government of Singapore|Singapore government]]. Former [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]] [[Goh Chok Tong]] commended Jack Neo's creative talent during the National Day Rally address on [[18 August]] [[2002]].<ref> {{cite web | title = National Day Rally Address | author = [[Goh Chok Tong]] | url = http://www.gov.sg/nd/ND02.htm | date = 18 August 2002}} </ref> In 2004, Neo was the first local film-maker to receive a [[National Day Award]].<ref>{{cite news| title = Jack Neo honoured with National Day awards| publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 9 August 2004}}</ref> On [[21 October]] [[2005]], he and [[Dick Lee]] became the first pop culture artists to receive the [[Cultural Medallion]], Singapore's highest arts award.<ref>{{cite news| title = Dick Lee, Jack Neo among this year's Cultural Medallion recipients | url =http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/174668/1/.html| publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 21 October 2005}}</ref>
Despite containing satirical criticism of government policies, the film received positive responses from the [[Government of Singapore|Singapore government]]. Former [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]] [[Goh Chok Tong]] commended Jack Neo's creative talent during the National Day Rally address on [[18 August]] [[2002]].<ref> {{cite web | title = National Day Rally Address | author = [[Goh Chok Tong]] | url = http://www.gov.sg/nd/ND02.htm | date = 18 August 2002}} </ref> In 2004, Neo was the first local film-maker to receive a [[National Day Award]].<ref>{{cite news| title = Jack Neo honoured with National Day awards| publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 9 August 2004}}</ref> On [[21 October]] [[2005]], he and [[Dick Lee]] became the first pop culture artists to receive the [[Cultural Medallion]], Singapore's highest arts award.<ref>{{cite news| title = Dick Lee, Jack Neo among this year's Cultural Medallion recipients | url =http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/174668/1/.html| publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 21 October 2005}}</ref>

⚫
The film sparked debate about the negative aspects of [[streaming (education)|streaming]] in the Singapore education system. In an interview, Neo said that streaming "judges you. If you're not good enough, you're useless. In our society, everyone feels like that sometimes."<ref>{{cite news | title = SINGAPORE: Learning to develop their other abilities: EDUCATION REFORMS | author = Douglas Wong | publisher = Financial Times | date = 12 April 2002 | url = http://search.ft.com/searchArticle?id=020412001907 }}</ref> After much public discussion and [[parliamentary debate]]s, in 2004, the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] decided to merge the EM1 and EM2 streams,<ref>{{cite news | title = Changes to Pri 4 streaming: EM1 and EM2 to be merged | publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 18 March 2004}}</ref> and on [[29 September]] [[2006]], it announced that the EM3 stream will be scrapped by 2008.<ref>{{cite news | title = No streaming, no stigma | publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 29 September 2006 | url = http://www.todayonline.com/articles/145624print.asp}}</ref>


⚫
==Sequels and spinoffs==
⚫
The film sparked debate about the negative aspects of [[streaming (education)|streaming]] in the Singapore education system. In an interview, Neo said "it [streaming] judges you. If you're not good enough, you're useless. In our society, everyone feels like that sometimes.".<ref>{{cite news | title = SINGAPORE: Learning to develop their other abilities: EDUCATION REFORMS | author = Douglas Wong | publisher = Financial Times | date = 12 April 2002 | url = http://search.ft.com/searchArticle?id=020412001907 }}</ref> After much public discussion and parliamentary debates, in 2004, the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] decided to merge the EM1 and EM2 streams,<ref>{{cite news | title = Changes to Pri 4 streaming: EM1 and EM2 to be merged | publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 18 March 2004}}</ref> and on [[29 September]] [[2006]], it announced that the EM3 stream will be scrapped by 2008.<ref>{{cite news | title = No streaming, no stigma | publisher= Channel NewsAsia | date = 29 September 2006 | url = http://www.todayonline.com/articles/145624print.asp}}</ref>
⚫
Following the success of the film, MediaCorp developed a TV version of ''I Not Stupid''; the drama serial consisted of 18 30-minute episodes, broadcast on [[MediaCorp TV Channel 8|Channel 8]] every Saturday from 9 p.m. to 9.30pm, starting [[24 August]] [[2002]].<ref> {{cite web | title = Sitcom: I Not Stupid | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/shows/sitcom/view/111/1/.html | publisher Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | date = 2004 }} </ref> Although Jack Neo did not write the script or direct the TV version, he worked with story planners and starred as Mr. Liu. In an interview, Jack Neo stated that the TV version gave him more opportunities to expand on issues or details that could not be sufficiently covered in the movie.<ref> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid: Coming to a TV near you… | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/around8/events/view/111/1/.html | publisher = Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | date = 12 August 2002 }} </ref><ref> {{cite web | title = Hokkien No Enough | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/around8/interviews/view/3/1/.html | publisher = Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | author = Ang Ling Ling | date = 10 May 2002 }} </ref> The TV version of ''I Not Stupid'' received several nominations at the [[Star Awards 2002]]: Best Sitcom, Best Theme Song, Best Comedy Performer (Richard Low) and Young Talent Award (Shawn Lee, Joshua Ang and Huang Po Ju), with Shawn Lee winning the Young Talent Award.<ref> {{cite web | title = Star Awards 2002 - Nomination List | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/around8/announcements/view/186/1/.html | publisher = Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | | date = 24 October 2002 }} </ref>


⚫
A second movie, ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]'', was released on [[26 January]] [[2006]]. The story and characters in ''I Not Stupid Too'' are different from those in ''I Not Stupid''; the film touched on other issues, most notably miscommunication between teens and adults. ''I Not Stupid Too'' grossed over S$4 million, and overtook the original film as the all-time second highest grossing movie in Singapore. Jack Neo has announced plans to make more sequels.<ref> {{cite news | title = "I Not Stupid Too" tackles communication problems in families | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/188795/1/.html | publisher = ChannelNewsAsia | author = Ng Bao Ying | date = 18 January 2006}} </ref>
⚫
==Sequels==
⚫
Following the success of the film, MediaCorp developed a TV version of ''I Not Stupid''; the drama serial consisted of 18 30-minute episodes, broadcast on [[MediaCorp TV Channel 8|Channel 8]] every Saturday from 9pm to 9.30pm, starting [[24 August]] [[2002]].<ref> {{cite web | title = Sitcom: I Not Stupid | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/shows/sitcom/view/111/1/.html | publisher Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | date = 2004 }} </ref> Although Jack Neo did not write the script or direct the TV version, he worked with story planners and starred as Mr. Liu. In an interview, Jack Neo stated that he found the TV version gave him more opportunities to expand on issues or details that could not be sufficiently covered in the movie due to time constraints.<ref> {{cite web | title = I Not Stupid: Coming to a TV near you… | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/around8/events/view/111/1/.html | publisher = Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | date = 12 August 2002 }} </ref><ref> {{cite web | title = Hokkien No Enough | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/around8/interviews/view/3/1/.html | publisher = Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | author = Ang Ling Ling | date = 10 May 2002 }} </ref> The TV version of ''I Not Stupid'' bagged several nominations at the [[Star Awards 2002]]: Best Sitcom, Best Theme Song, Best Comedy Performer (Richard Low) and Young Talent Award (Shawn Lee, Joshua Ang and Huang Po Ju), with Shawn Lee winning the Young Talent Award.<ref> {{cite web | title = Star Awards 2002 - Nomination List | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/around8/announcements/view/186/1/.html | publisher = Channel 8 Mediacorp TV | | date = 24 October 2002 }} </ref>


Besides the television series that expanded on the plots of both films, a television talkshow/current affairs program called ''"I Not Stupid Forum"'' (directly translated from Chinese as ''Children are not stupid, who really is?'') was produced. The television show is hosted by Jack Neo himself. Youth and teenagers are seated across from field experts (including professors and psychologists) during each episode. Each episode explores a current issue regarding teenagers, providing the views of both parties.
⚫
A second movie, ''[[I Not Stupid Too]]'', was released on [[26 January]] [[2006]]. The story and characters in ''I Not Stupid Too'' are different from those in ''I Not Stupid''. Touching on other issues, most notably miscommunication between teens and adults, the sequel grossed over S$4 million. ''I Not Stupid Too'' overtook the original film as the all-time second highest grossing movie in Singapore. Jack Neo has announced plans to make more sequels.<ref> {{cite news | title = "I Not Stupid Too" tackles communication problems in families | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/188795/1/.html | publisher = ChannelNewsAsia | author = Ng Bao Ying | date = 18 January 2006}} </ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
<div class="references-2column">
<references />
</div>


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/ins ''I Not Stupid'' Official Website]
*[http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/ins ''I Not Stupid'' Official Website]
*[http://www.inotstupid.com/ ''I Not Stupid'' J Team Website]
*[http://www.inotstupid.com/ ''I Not Stupid'' J Team Website]
*{{imdb title|id=0307681|title=I Not Stupid}}
*{{imdb title|id=0307681|title=I Not Stupid}}


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[[Category:Mandarin-language films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Hokkien-language films]]
[[Category:Comedy films]]
[[Category:Comedy films]]


[[zh:小孩不笨]]
[[zh:小孩不笨]]
[[fa:من احمق نیستم (فیلم)]]

Revision as of 10:57, 30 May 2007

I Not Stupid
Directed byJack Neo
Written byJack Neo
Produced byDavid Leong
Chan Pui Yin
StarringJack Neo
Richard Low
Xiang Yun
Selena Tan
Shawn Lee
Huang Po Ju
Joshua Ang
Distributed byUnited International Pictures
Release date
Singapore 9 February 2002
Running time
105 min
CountrySingapore
LanguageMandarin / Hokkien / English
BudgetS$1,000,000

I Not Stupid (Chinese: 小孩不笨; pinyin: xiǎohái bù bèn) is a Singaporean film written and directed by Jack Neo, and produced by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. It stars Xiang Yun, Richard Low, Selena Tan, Shawn Lee, Huang Po Ju and Joshua Ang.

Released in cinemas on 9 February 2002,[1][2] I Not Stupid earned over S$3.8 million. It is the third-highest grossing movie in Singapore, after Money No Enough and the film's sequel, I Not Stupid Too, which was released in cinemas on 26 January 2006. The film was nominated for Best Asian Film at the 2003 Hong Kong Film Awards but lost to My Sassy Girl.

The film portrays the lives, struggles, and adventures of three Primary 6 pupils who are placed in the academically inferior EM3 stream. This satirical comedy criticises the Singaporean education system and social attitudes in Singapore, including the competitive kiasu mentality and over-obedience to authority.

Production

In a 2002 interview with the Singapore Medical Association, Jack Neo said that the Iranian film, Children of Heaven, inspired him to write about children, a trend that continued in his next movie, Homerun, a remake of Children of Heaven.[3]

I Not Stupid was produced by Raintree Pictures on a budget of S$900,000,[4] sponsored by Bee Cheng Hiang, Yeo Hiap Seng and Sunshine Bakeries.[5] Besides writing and directing, Neo also composed the theme song, which Chen Guorong sang. The production crew included Daniel Yun as executive producer, David Leong and Chan Pui Yin as producers, Ardy Lam as cinematographer and Li Yi as music supervisor.[6] The child stars were selected through an audition of over 50 children.[7]

Filming took place at Braddell Westlake Secondary School and Westlake Primary School. The shooting was completed in 24 days.[8] Raintree Pictures and United International Pictures distributed the film.[9]

Plot

File:I Not Stupid screenshot 1.jpg
Mrs Liu canes Kok Pin for poor grades

Liu Kok Pin, Terry Khoo and Ang Boon Hock are students in the EM3 stream. Kok Pin is a gifted artist, but his mother does not appreciate his talent, and frequently canes him for poor grades. Terry, pampered and from a rich family, is an obedient, guai boy who always listens to his mother, in contrast to his defiant sister, Selena. Boon Hock comes from a poor family; he is loyal to his friends and always defends them.

Mrs. Khoo often forces Selena and Terry to act against their wishes, "for their own good". As a result, Selena and her regularly quarrel over trivial matters, and their relationship deteriorates. Selena joins a teenage gang in her quest for greater freedom, but after being arrested, is placated when her mother buys her a pair of long-cherished sports shoes, and quits the gang.

Mr. Khoo is a belligerent businessman who owns Good Friend Ba Gua, a company selling ba gua. An enmity develops between Mr. Khoo and Mr. Liu after a fight over a parking lot. Mr. Khoo fires an employee over an accident regarding handling a machine. The advertising company for which Mr. Liu works hires an American, John, as the Creative Director.

File:I Not Stupid screenshot 2.jpg
A fight between Tiong Meng and the EM3 students

Mr. Liu's and John's advertising teams compete with each other in order to convince a client to accept a proposal. Mr. Liu's friend, Ben, is outraged upon discovering that John stole some of Mr Liu's ideas for his proposal. The client turns out to be Mr. Khoo, who instantly rejects Mr. Liu's proposal, opting for John's instead. As John's ideas are totally incompatible with Chinese customs, Mr. Khoo's business suffers in the face of competition from a Taiwanese company, Taiwan Ba Gua King.

Meanwhile, Tiong Meng, Boon Hock's cousin, mocks the three EM3 students, starting a fight during which he accidentally suffers a face injury. At the Discipline Mistress's office, Boon Hock and Kok Pin explain what happened. However, due to his mother's instructions to "mind his own business", Terry declines to testify in their favour. This infuriates his friends, who accuse him of "not being a man".

File:I Not Stupid screenshot 3.jpg
The kidnappers' arrest

Subsequently, Ms. Lee becomes the new form teacher of the EM3 class. She inspires Boon Hock to excel in his studies, and he rises to the head of his class in maths. Boon Hock stands up for Terry when a woman accuses Terry of bullying her son. To prove he is "a man", a grateful Terry offers to serve Boon Hock's mother's wonton noodle customers, but is injured in the process.

Later, a man approaches the gang of friends. He offers a preview of his video games in his van, games that have been supposedly pirated before they even were released. It turns out to be a trap: the man, with help from an accomplice, attempts to kidnap Terry. Boon Hock tries to save his friend, but the kidnappers decide to take him as well. Kok Pin is shoved onto the ground in the struggle and is left behind as the van speeds away. When the police question him as a witness, Kok Pin skillfully draws the two kidnappers' faces.

One of the kidnappers turns out to be the ex-employee of Good Friend Ba Gua who was fired by Mr. Khoo. They take Kok Pin and Terry to an attap hut in a sparsely populated area of the island. The ex-employee reveals that he was a foreign worker on visa who borrowed a substantial amount of money from loansharks to come to Singapore, and he does not wish to return home empty-handed. He has kidnapped them to demand 20 thousand dollars from Mr. Khoo as ransom. While the kidnappers are sleeping, Boon Hock starts planning an escape, but the obedient Terry is initially reluctant to run away. After he decides to join the escape, the kidnappers wake up. A tumultuous chase ensues in the jungle outside the hut, which results in the kidnappers' arrest.

File:I Not Stupid screenshot 4.jpg
Kok Pin receiving his PSLE results

Boon Hock helps Kok Pin cheat in the preliminary examinations, but they are caught. Kok Pin, unable to face his mother, attempts suicide, but fails. Mrs. Liu is diagnosed with leukemia, and is given three months to live. The school rallies to find a suitable bone marrow donor, so she can undergo a bone marrow transplant.

In the PSLE mathematics exam, Book Hock scores 92/100; Terry, 65/100; and Kok Pin, 51/100. Contrary to Kok Pin's fears, his mother is satisfied because he has tried his best. When visiting Mrs. Liu at the hospital, Ms. Lee announces that one of Kok Pin's drawings won second prize in an international competition.

Mr. Khoo passes the HLA test, but refuses to donate after discovering the intended recipient is his enemy's wife. Later, it is revealed that Terry, not Mr. Khoo, is the suitable donor. Despite protests from his parents, he insists on undergoing the operation, which is a success. A grateful Mr. Liu offers to help Mr. Khoo's business with his proposal. As a result, Mr. Khoo's business booms, and the two enemies become good friends.

Cast

The main characters of the movie were played by the following actors:[6]

Character Played by
Mr. Liu Jack Neo
Mrs. Liu Xiang Yun
Mr. Khoo Richard Low
Mrs. Khoo Selena Tan
Liu Kok Pin Shawn Lee
Ang Boon Hock Joshua Ang
Terry Khoo Huang Po Ju
Selena Khoo Cheryl Chan

Political satire

I Not Stupid criticises streaming in the Singapore education system for promoting academic elitism, where pupils in academically inferior streams are looked down upon, making it harder for them to catch up and realise their potential, even if they are not necessarily stupid.[10][11][12]

Mrs. Khoo's demands total obedience from her children, and her repeated lines "Do you know how lucky you are to have a good and responsible mother?" and "This is all for your own good" parodies the Singapore government's efforts to convince Singaporeans that their decisions are in the best interests of the nation.[10][12][13] In a scene at the office, Mr. Liu comments that "it is difficult to catch fish in Singapore, because fish in Singapore are like Singaporeans; they'll never open their mouths". This criticises the Singaporean trait of obedience and respect for authority.[12]

Other issues the film discusses include Singaporean companies which regard Western expatriates as superior to local workers, the use of Singlish, and the differences between English and Chinese.[12]

Reception

I Not Stupid earned just S$46,000 during a limited sneak preview run, prompting Raintree Pictures to embark on a massive publicity scheme, which included inviting teachers to discuss the film. After showing for four months on 30 screens, the movie earned S$3.8 million.[13] I Not Stupid is one of Singapore's all-time highest-grossing movies. When I Not Stupid was released, Money No Enough was the only Singaporean film with higher earnings.[14] In 2006, the sequel I Not Stupid Too grossed over S$4 million, replacing the original movie as the second-highest grossing Singapore movie of all time.[14]

Following its success in Singapore, I Not Stupid was screened in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.[2] I Not Stupid screened at the 2002 Pusan International Film Festival[13] and had a limited release in Thailand in 2004.[15]

I Not Stupid won several awards, including the Best Chinese Film Award at the Golden Bauhinia Awards. In addition, SIGNIS awarded I Not Stupid the Best Chinese Humanitarian Film Award at the Taiwan Golden Torch Award 2002. The film was nominated for Best Asian Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards, but lost to My Sassy Girl.[2][16][17]

Critics gave generally positive reviews of I Not Stupid, praising it for its uniqueness and for touching a raw nerve among Singaporeans.[10][11][12] One reviewer expressed surprise that the Singapore censors allowed its release.[5]

Despite containing satirical criticism of government policies, the film received positive responses from the Singapore government. Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong commended Jack Neo's creative talent during the National Day Rally address on 18 August 2002.[18] In 2004, Neo was the first local film-maker to receive a National Day Award.[19] On 21 October 2005, he and Dick Lee became the first pop culture artists to receive the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's highest arts award.[20]

The film sparked debate about the negative aspects of streaming in the Singapore education system. In an interview, Neo said that streaming "judges you. If you're not good enough, you're useless. In our society, everyone feels like that sometimes."[21] After much public discussion and parliamentary debates, in 2004, the Ministry of Education decided to merge the EM1 and EM2 streams,[22] and on 29 September 2006, it announced that the EM3 stream will be scrapped by 2008.[23]

Sequels and spinoffs

Following the success of the film, MediaCorp developed a TV version of I Not Stupid; the drama serial consisted of 18 30-minute episodes, broadcast on Channel 8 every Saturday from 9 p.m. to 9.30pm, starting 24 August 2002.[24] Although Jack Neo did not write the script or direct the TV version, he worked with story planners and starred as Mr. Liu. In an interview, Jack Neo stated that the TV version gave him more opportunities to expand on issues or details that could not be sufficiently covered in the movie.[25][26] The TV version of I Not Stupid received several nominations at the Star Awards 2002: Best Sitcom, Best Theme Song, Best Comedy Performer (Richard Low) and Young Talent Award (Shawn Lee, Joshua Ang and Huang Po Ju), with Shawn Lee winning the Young Talent Award.[27]

A second movie, I Not Stupid Too, was released on 26 January 2006. The story and characters in I Not Stupid Too are different from those in I Not Stupid; the film touched on other issues, most notably miscommunication between teens and adults. I Not Stupid Too grossed over S$4 million, and overtook the original film as the all-time second highest grossing movie in Singapore. Jack Neo has announced plans to make more sequels.[28]

Besides the television series that expanded on the plots of both films, a television talkshow/current affairs program called "I Not Stupid Forum" (directly translated from Chinese as Children are not stupid, who really is?) was produced. The television show is hosted by Jack Neo himself. Youth and teenagers are seated across from field experts (including professors and psychologists) during each episode. Each episode explores a current issue regarding teenagers, providing the views of both parties.

References

  1. ^ "I Not Stupid". Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  2. ^ a b c "Corporate Profile". MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. 2005.
  3. ^ Hwa, Dr. Tan Hooi (2002). "Interview with Mr Jack Neo and Dr Winston Hwang from the cast of Local Production "I Not Stupid"" (PDA). SMA News. pp. 5–10. Retrieved 2006-12-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Uhde, Yvonne Ng. "Temperatures rising: Singapore film in 2001". Archived from the original (HTML) on 2005-05-12. Retrieved 2006-12-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Soh Yun-Huei. "I Not Stupid - Review". FilmAsia.
  6. ^ a b ""I Not Stupid" - Production notes". MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. 2002.
  7. ^ "THE CASTS" (HTML). Raintree Pictures Pte Ltd. 2002. Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  8. ^ Wong Kim Hoh, “Who says I’m only good at drag?”, The Straits Times, 20 June 2004
  9. ^ "UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, MEDIACORP RAINTREE PICTURES AND SCORPIO EAST PICTURES RELEASE "I NOT STUPID TOO"" (HTML). MediaCorp Raintree Pictures Pte Ltd. 2005. Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  10. ^ a b c "I Not Stupid - Review". www.lovehkfilm.com.
  11. ^ a b Daniel Nguyen. "I Not Stupid - Review". KFC Cinema.
  12. ^ a b c d e Funn Lim (2005). "I Not Stupid - Review". Spcnet TV.
  13. ^ a b c Ciecko, Anne Tereska (2006). Contemporary Asian Cinema. New York: Berg. pp. "Singapore: Developments, Challenges and Projections", pp. 81-82. ISBN 1 84520237 6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b "'I Not Stupid Too' crosses $4m mark in box office takings". ChannelNewsAsia. 6 March 2006.
  15. ^ "Chalermthai new movie". Pantip.com. 2004.
  16. ^ "Celebration of Singapore-made Films at Cannes Film Festival's Tous les Cinémas du Monde". Media Development Authority. 9 May 2006.
  17. ^ "Awards for Xiaohai bu ben". Internet Movie Database.
  18. ^ Goh Chok Tong (18 August 2002). "National Day Rally Address".
  19. ^ "Jack Neo honoured with National Day awards". Channel NewsAsia. 9 August 2004.
  20. ^ "Dick Lee, Jack Neo among this year's Cultural Medallion recipients". Channel NewsAsia. 21 October 2005.
  21. ^ Douglas Wong (12 April 2002). "SINGAPORE: Learning to develop their other abilities: EDUCATION REFORMS". Financial Times.
  22. ^ "Changes to Pri 4 streaming: EM1 and EM2 to be merged". Channel NewsAsia. 18 March 2004.
  23. ^ "No streaming, no stigma". Channel NewsAsia. 29 September 2006.
  24. ^ "Sitcom: I Not Stupid". 2004. {{cite web}}: Text "publisher Channel 8 Mediacorp TV" ignored (help)
  25. ^ "I Not Stupid: Coming to a TV near you…". Channel 8 Mediacorp TV. 12 August 2002.
  26. ^ Ang Ling Ling (10 May 2002). "Hokkien No Enough". Channel 8 Mediacorp TV.
  27. ^ "Star Awards 2002 - Nomination List". Channel 8 Mediacorp TV. 24 October 2002. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  28. ^ Ng Bao Ying (18 January 2006). ""I Not Stupid Too" tackles communication problems in families". ChannelNewsAsia.
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