POST MORTEM

POST MORTEM is a documentary that explores the social stigma revolving around the death-care industry.
From the eyes of a female funeral celebrant, a passionate funeral director and a young embalming apprentice, this industry is not just a business, but a livelihood.
Coming from different walks of life, they share a common goal to change the negativity associated with their otherwise normal profession.

  • SEAN FOO
    Director
  • NAZURAH ZULFAKIR
    Writer
  • NAZURAH ZULFAKIR
    Producer
  • JITISHA KAMDAR
    Producer
  • ANGJOLIE MEI
    Key Cast
  • ANG ZIQIAN
    Key Cast
  • SHANE TEO
    Key Cast
  • JEFFREY CHENG X. J.
    Director of Photography
  • NATASYA RAHIMAN
    Production Designer
  • NUR HAZIRAH M. A.
    Video Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Informative
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 25, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    7,238 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Singapore
  • Country of Filming:
    Singapore
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • National Youth Film Awards
    Singapore
    Singapore
    July 23, 2016
    Best Documentary
  • National Youth Film Awards
    Singapore
    Singapore
    July 23, 2016
    Best Cinematography for Documentary
Director Biography - SEAN FOO

Sean Foo is a graduating student from Temasek Polytechnic studying diploma in Digital Film and Television. Throughout his journey in this course, Sean has received various experiences from the film industry. An aspiring director and cinematographer, he was part of 3 short films and 2 documentaries of which he directed one of them. His passion for filmmaking began at a young age, after being exposed to movies of different genres.

Being a visual learner, this also influenced him to pick up photography during his leisure hours. Sean believes firmly that photography not only tells a singular moment in life, but it also serves as a memory for years to come. After all, he understands that ultimately, "Life has no undo button"

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Director Statement

“If doctors take care of us while we are alive, then who are going to take care of us when we die? God? Angels?” This question has always intrigued me as a child who doesn’t understand death. While a sensitive topic to some, others treat it seriously.

For me, Post Mortem is a informative documentary that recognises the other side of the funeral industry - the humane aspect of these profession. It talks about three professionals from different walks of life - a funeral director, a funeral celebrant, an embalming apprentice - to serve hundreds of grieving families for the final sendoffs of their loved ones.

Despite all the odds against them, how do they strive on to provide for the dead?

This documentary explores the topic of death and the theme of social stigma in Singapore.

Death is a taboo. It is deemed as ominous for anyone associated with it. Nonetheless, there are still honorable people who would join the funeral industry despite today's judgmental society. These are the group of people that goes against the social stigma of Singapore, just so that the dead can rest in peace.

I foresee Post Mortem to be a slow-pacing documentary. Other than the usual death industry related shots, it will be decorated with timelapse of Singapore. Personally, I feel that timelapse plays as a transition and provides breathing spaces in between case studies, avoiding confusion.

With Post Mortem, I want to introduce to people, and specifically, Singapore to the faces of the funeral industry. Though we are a first world country, there are still traditionalists. They ignore the importance of the bereavement companies, assuming that they are the harbingers of death. I want to change that mindset.

Afterall, it’s about finding yourself in death.