Is AI the New Star of Singapore Cinema? Jack Neo’s Latest Film Challenges Traditional Filmmaking

Singapore’s AI Comedy Takes a New Approach to Filmmaking

At the peak of AI's influence, Singaporean filmmaker Jack Neo’s latest film, “I Want to Be Boss”, delves into the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern life, blending comedy with futuristic themes.

Neo's exploration of AI in the domestic sphere, despite its comedic tone, opens a broader conversation on how the technology could shape filmmaking in the future.

This latest project also marks Singapore’s pioneering step into the world of AI-driven filmmaking.

AI at the Centre of Local Comedy

In this AI-themed comedy, Henry Thia stars as Ong Dong Nam, a man who buys an AI robot to help manage his household chaos.

What follows is a series of comedic and chaotic events, as the AI robot, Ling Ling, becomes an unexpected source of tension and humour in the family.

The film blends familiar themes of family drama with the new-age concept of AI, yet the technology feels more like a gimmick than a fully integrated concept.

Neo, known for his past hits like “Ah Boys to Men” and “The Lion Men”, ventures into the realm of AI but falls short of delivering a compelling futuristic story.

Real-Life Robots Stir Interest

The film also incorporates real-life human robots into its promotion.

Singaporean actress Jae Liew, alongside Ms Qin, a restaurant owner from Chongqing, China, played robotic characters as part of the film’s publicity.

Ms Qin, in particular, gained attention last year for her robot-like movements while serving customers, blurring the line between human and machine.

This clever promotional stunt added an intriguing layer to the film’s AI theme, but it also highlights the struggle to fully bring AI into the storyline.

AI’s Role in Filmmaking: A Growing Experiment

Neo has not only incorporated AI into the film’s narrative but has also used the technology behind the scenes.

In an interview with The Straits Times, a local news media, he shared that he experimented with AI to enhance specific scenes and even used AI-generated songs, with lyrics written by him.

He expressed his belief that AI will soon empower filmmakers to achieve more with fewer resources, improving over time.

Jack Neo, Singaporean filmmaker, comedian and actor

However, despite these advancements, the film’s portrayal of AI seems superficial and disconnected from the story’s emotional core.

Is AI Just a Gimmick in Filmmaking?

Despite the bold move to incorporate AI, “I Want to Be Boss” struggles with its portrayal of futuristic technology.

The film’s reliance on AI appears more as a plot device than an integral part of the narrative.

As the film shifts focus between cooking dramas, rival restaurants, and familial issues, the AI elements often feel like an afterthought, tacked on rather than fully explored.

In a key scene, Robert, an AI-robot salesman, unboxes Ling Ling in the living room, revealing her to be an automated solution for improving family relationships.

Yet, this scene, which should feel groundbreaking, instead comes off as awkward and underwhelming.

It is clear that while AI is part of the story, it lacks the depth needed to make a lasting impact.

AI’s Future in Filmmaking

The use of AI in filmmaking certainly holds potential, but as seen in “I Want to Be Boss”, its integration must go beyond mere novelty.

Filmmakers can leverage AI to create more immersive, realistic experiences, but its use must be thoughtfully incorporated into the narrative.

Will AI be used as a tool to enhance creativity or simply as a shortcut in the pursuit of efficiency?

As the industry evolves, more filmmakers are exploring the connection with technology, especially AI, which will play a key role in influencing the direction of filmmaking, such as Indonesia-Singapore's "Mothernet" drama film and South Korea's "Leafie" animation.