SNCF launches short film to mark 100 years of Singapore Co-operative Movement

Singapore – To mark the 100th anniversary of the Singapore Co-operative Movement, the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) has launched a short film showcasing how co-operatives have evolved through the years.

Titled ‘All of Us’, the film draws on the origins of Singapore’s credit co-operatives and the inclusive sports co-operative Runninghour, tracing the development of co-operatives across two eras – the 1980s and the present day.

The film was directed and produced by husband-and-wife duo Lim Eu Chian and Veron Teng of local production house It’s Like Depth and premiered at the SCM Centennial Night last Friday (September 19). About 400 co-operators and guests, including Minister of State for Culture, Community & Youth and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash, attended the event.

“In researching the beginnings of co-operatives, we were struck by how many people chose to serve their communities, even if it meant giving up more lucrative opportunities,” Eu Chian said. 

Set in the 1980s, the story begins with factory worker Taufik (Ahmad Sani), who falls into debt after borrowing from loan sharks. His colleague, Quan Shun (Shane Pow), persuades their boss to establish a credit co-operative to protect workers from predatory lending – reflecting the challenges faced during Singapore’s industrial era.

In the present day, Taufik’s daughter Afiqah (Rusydina Afiqah) takes the lead. Noticing her best friend Patricia (Patricia Poo), who is visually impaired, being excluded, she works to create spaces that foster inclusion for individuals with special needs.

Spanning two generations, ‘All of Us’ underscores how co-operatives continue to adapt to societal needs – safeguarding livelihoods in the past and promoting inclusivity today.

Veron shared, “The key message in All of Us is the strong sense of togetherness and unity that shines through the co-operatives. My favourite part of the film is the ending, when real-life co-operatives, from the 1900s to today, appear one after another. It shows that this legacy was not built by a single person or group, but by many people from different backgrounds coming together to create something meaningful for the good of others.”

“At its heart, All of Us is a film about the spirit of co-operatives: ordinary people looking out for one another in struggles to protect each other from debt in the past and communities coming together today to ensure no one is left behind,” Verene Cheong, SNCF’s head of marketing & communications, added.