These documentaries about Singapore show a dynamic city-state nestled at the crossroads of Southeast Asia and its remarkable transformation from a humble trading post to a global economic powerhouse.
As one of the most prosperous and cosmopolitan nations, this island city-state boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and innovation. Exploring Singapore through the lens of documentaries offers a captivating journey into its fascinating story of resilience, progress, and multicultural identity.
Documentaries About Singapore
From its colonial past to its present-day skyline dominated by iconic structures, documentaries about Singapore delve into the intricacies of its societal fabric, shedding light on the unique blend of tradition and modernity that defines this vibrant nation.
This list is a mix of some of the more mainstream documentaries that you can watch at online streaming platforms, like Amazon, as well as some really good ones that you can watch for free on YouTube.
David Attenborough’s Wild City (2016)
David Attenborough’s Wild City is a documentary mini-series that focuses on the wildlife found in Singapore and was produced by National Geographic. Sir David Attenborough, a renowned naturalist and broadcaster, narrates the documentary, providing you with insights into the diverse ecosystems and wildlife that exist within an urban environment like Singapore.
The series explores how nature and wildlife coexist with the urban development of the city-state. It delves into various aspects of Singapore’s unique biodiversity, including its parks, mangroves, and other natural habitats.
If you’re interested in learning more about Singapore’s wildlife and the challenges of maintaining biodiversity in an urban setting, “David Attenborough’s Wild City” is one of the best documentaries about Singapore to watch.
Singapore GaGa (2005)
Singapore GaGa focuses on capturing the soundscape of Singapore, including traditional and disappearing sounds, as well as the impact of modernization on the auditory environment.
The film provides a unique perspective on Singaporean life and culture, using sounds as a medium to convey the evolving nature of the city-state. It features a mix of interviews, scenes of daily life, and audio recordings, creating a sensory experience that reflects the diverse and dynamic aspects of Singapore’s society.
To Singapore, With Love (2013)
To Singapore, with Love explores the stories of political exiles from Singapore. The documentary features interviews with individuals who left Singapore for various reasons, including political dissent, in the 1960s and 1970s.
These individuals had been living in exile for decades, and the film examines their lives, experiences, and the reasons for their departure from Singapore.
The documentary sparked some controversy in Singapore due to its exploration of politically sensitive topics. In particular, it delves into the government’s actions against alleged communists and leftist activists during a period of political upheaval in Singapore’s history.
Singapore 1942 End of Empire (2012)
Singapore 1942: End of Empire explores the events leading to the fall of Singapore during World War II. It gives insights into the military strategies, historical context, and human experiences surrounding the Japanese invasion and the subsequent surrender of Singapore to the Japanese forces in 1942.
The fall of Singapore in 1942 was a significant event during World War II and is often referred to as one of the greatest military defeats in British history. The documentary examines the factors that contributed to the defeat, the impact on the people of Singapore, and the broader consequences for the region.
City of the Future: Singapore (National Geographic)
City of the Future: Singapore is a great documentary that explores the latest technology and innovations that are being created and used that will make Singapore one of the most futuristic cities in the world.
The whole documentary is free to watch on YouTube.
Singapore: Biophilic City (2012)
Biophilic City: Singapore is a concept and initiative that focuses on integrating nature and green spaces into urban environments to enhance the overall well-being of residents.
The term “biophilia” refers to the innate human connection with nature, and biophilic design aims to bring elements of nature into the built environment. Singapore has been recognized as a biophilic city for its efforts to incorporate greenery and sustainable practices into its urban planning.
Singapore has numerous parks, gardens, and green spaces scattered throughout the city. Notable examples include the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Gardens by the Bay, and the Southern Ridges.
The city has embraced vertical greenery by incorporating plants and green walls into the architecture of buildings. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the structures but also contributes to air quality and temperature regulation.
This documentary is great at showing how Singapore has implemented sustainable development practices, including energy-efficient buildings, water management systems, and waste reduction initiatives. The city-state is committed to being environmentally responsible and resilient in the face of climate change.
Unteachable (2019)
This is a brilliant short documentary about Singapore’s education system and how a young teaher is using new methods to bring now learning skills into the classroom to give more empathy to students, in this case mostly teenagers, that are deemed “unreachable.”
Singapore has a “grades-obsessed” culture in its society and it can be stressful for some students to integrate with this system. This explores the journeys of some teenagers over a 4 year period and their learning journey and awareness of their place in Singapore’s society.
Why Singapore is One of the World’s Richest Countries (2022)
This is a very short documentary, but one I had to add to this list of the best documentaries about Singapore because it’s one of the ones that explains the historical context of how, as the title says, Singapore became one of the richest countries in the world.
This is a great short documentary to watch that gives a really good background to Singapore’s history.
Inside Terminal 4: Terminal of Tomorrow (2018)
Keeping with Singapore’s modern futuristic theme, Inside Terminal 4: Terminal of Tomorrow, looks at the new terminal 4 building at Changi Airport, one of my favourite airports in the world.
It’s estimated that by 2030 around 150 million people will fly into this airport and part of being able to cope with that is the new terminal 4.
But this isn’t just about a new “terminal,” it’s about how the terminal will be a monument of the future that will be an oasis of art and technology for people to experience upon arriving in this futuristic city.
The Songs We Sang (2015)
The Songs We Sang is a Singaporean documentary that explores the history and cultural significance of xinyao, a genre of Mandarin pop music that emerged in Singapore during the 1980s.
Xinyao is unique because it features original compositions by local singer-songwriters, and it played a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of the Chinese-speaking community in Singapore during that period.
It features interviews with key figures in the xinyao movement and examines how this musical genre reflected the aspirations and experiences of the youth in Singapore. The documentary also delves into the socio-political context of that time and how xinyao became a platform for self-expression.
Singapore
Watching these documentaries about Singapore provides not only a visual feast of Singapore’s landscapes but also a deeper understanding of its people, culture, and the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the nation.
Sinapore is a must-visit at some point if you travel to Asia as it’s on of the most advanced and fascinating cities in the region and these documentaries about Singapore will help you understand the city and its people better.
For more on the country have a look at how to spend on day in Singapore.
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