Shirkers

About Shirkers

Shirkers is a 2018 documentary film that delves into the mysterious disappearance of a film made by a group of young filmmakers in Singapore in the early 1990s. Directed by Sandi Tan, the film explores the impact of losing their original project, also titled Shirkers, and the emotional journey of attempting to uncover the truth behind its disappearance.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music, Soundtrack

About

The documentary follows Sandi Tan, Jasmine Ng, and Sophia Siddique Harvey as they revisit their past and investigate what happened to the film they made as teenagers with their enigmatic mentor Georges Cardona. The film captures not only their journey of discovery but also the creative process and the impact of their lost project on their lives. Through interviews, reenactments, and archival footage, Shirkers offers a poignant exploration of art, ambition, betrayal, and friendship.

Making / Production

The film was written and directed by Sandi Tan, who was also one of the original creators of the lost film Shirkers. Tan collaborated with producers Jessica Levin and Maya Rudolph to bring this captivating story to the screen. The documentary beautifully weaves together past and present footage, creating a visually stunning narrative that immerses the audience in the mystery and emotions of the filmmakers.

Actors

• Sandi Tan as Herself - The director and narrator of the documentary, Tan leads the audience through the journey of uncovering the truth behind the lost Shirkers film.
• Jasmine Ng as Herself - A key figure in the original Shirkers film project, Ng’s perspective sheds light on the events of the past and their impact on the present.
• Sophia Siddique Harvey as Herself - Another member of the original filmmaking group, Harvey’s insights contribute to the emotional depth of the documentary.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The original Shirkers film was shot in 1992 by Sandi Tan and her friends, but disappeared when their mentor, Georges Cardona, vanished with all the footage.
• The documentary incorporates reenactments filmed in the present day to recreate the events surrounding the making of the lost film.
• Shirkers received critical acclaim for its unique storytelling approach and compelling narrative.

Awards

Shirkers won the World Cinema Documentary Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018.

Quotes

• “Sometimes, a story is more interesting after it ends.” - Sandi Tan
• “Making a film is a declaration of one’s capacity for hope.” - Jasmine Ng
• “Lost films have a way of haunting us, because they exude inevitability to the living.” - Sophia Siddique Harvey

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack of Shirkers features a blend of original music composed for the documentary and carefully selected songs that enhance the emotional depth of the storytelling.
• The music score complements the visuals, creating a rich tapestry of sound that immerses the audience in the filmmakers’ journey.