Twilight Kitchen
{{Infobox film
| name = Twilight Kitchen
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| writer =
| starring = {{plainlist|
- Moses Lim
- Tang Miao Ling
- Zhang Xinxiang
- Chen Jian Hu
- Zhou Shi Min
- Hong Pei Xin
}}
| music =
| cinematography =
| editing =
| studio = Gateway Entertainment
| director = Gerald Lee
| producer =
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2003|07|12|df=yes}}
| runtime = 89 minutes
| country = Singapore
| language = Chinese
| budget =
| gross = $250,000
}}
Twilight Kitchen ({{zh|c=聚味楼}}), is a 2003 Singaporean "community" film directed by Gerald Lee.{{cite news |author=
林增盈|date= 6 October 2002|title= 为拍《聚味楼》 不知自己怀孕汤妙玲险流产|url= |work= Lianhe Wanbao|location= Singapore|access-date=}}{{cite news |author= 李亦筠
|date= 20 June 2003|title= 《聚味楼》当男主角 张文祥：运气很重要|url= |work= Lianhe Zaobao|location= Singapore|access-date=}}{{cite news |author1= 陈彬雁|author2= 杨明翰|author3= 赖南达
|date= 6 March 2003|title= 林益民'嘴歪'不搞笑|url= |work= Lianhe Zaobao|location= Singapore|access-date=}} The film was initially only meant to encourage companies to employ ex-prisoners.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 20 June 2003|title= Movie to help ex-convicts scores|url= |work= Streats|location= Singapore|access-date= }} It was the first "community film" in Singapore.{{cite news |author= 黄亿敏
|date= 20 June 2003|title= 林益民登大银幕|url= |work= Lianhe Wanbao|location= Singapore|access-date=}} It was also the first time a film directed by Lee was screened in local theatres.{{cite news |author1= 李亦筠|author2= 邝启聪
|date= 17 September 2003|title= 《聚味楼》导演李世雄 赞老婆陈丽贞演技有层次|url= |work= Lianhe Zaobao|location= Singapore|access-date=}}
Plot
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.
Cast
- Moses Lim
- Tang Miaoling
- Zhang Xinxiang
- Chen Jian Hu
- Zhou Shi Min
- Hong Peixing
- Zhu Houren
Release
The film was originally meant to be released straight-to-VCD in 2003.{{cite news |last= Ho|first=
Ai Li|date= 30 June 2003|title= Kitchen movie chicken soup for the soul|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date=}} 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.{{cite news |author= |date= 13 September 2003|title= 出狱者心声《聚味楼》 户外首映会吸引两千人|url= |work= Lianhe Zaobao|location= Singapore|access-date=}}{{cite news |author= 陈韵红|date= 21 June 2003|title= 接拍社区电影《聚味楼》 林益民这回不搞笑|url= |work= Shin Min Daily News|location= Singapore|access-date=}}{{cite news |last= Tan|first= Jeanmarie|date= 5 July 2003|title= Topless Moses|url= |work= The New Paper|location= Singapore|access-date=}}
Reception
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.{{cite news |author1= 李亦筠|author2= 洪铭铧|date= 19 September 2003|title= 本周院线新片 平民天后流露淡淡甜蜜 聚味楼 煮出温馨菜色|url= |work= Lianhe Zaobao|location= Singapore|access-date=}} Chen Yunhong of Shin Min Daily News gave the film three stars out of five.{{cite news |author= 陈韵红|date= 20 September 2003|title= 一连两部本土制作|url= |work= Shin Min Daily News|location= Singapore|access-date=}} Hong Ai Li of The Straits Times praised the performances of Zhang and Lim, while criticising the conclusion for being predictable.{{cite news |last= Ho|first= Ai Li|date= 16 July 2003|title= TWILIGHT KITCHEN (PG)|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date=}}