Explore Singapore’s First Animated Film: A Journey Through WWII and Peranakan Culture

The upcoming animated film, The Violinist, promises to stand out as a significant production for Singapore. After nine years in development, it represents the country’s first full-length animated historical epic, featuring stunning visuals, emotional highlights, and an original score that captivates.

The story unfolds during the colonial period of Singapore, through the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, and into the challenging post-war years. It follows Fei, a talented young Peranakan girl, as she evolves into a renowned concert performer while searching for her childhood friend, a fellow violinist who vanished after joining the resistance during the war.

Co-written and co-directed by Ervin Han, who is also the founder and CEO of Robot Playground Media, the film builds on his earlier short, The Violin, created for SG50. This short earned the Best 2D Animated Programme award at the Asian Television Awards in 2017.

In addition to portraying key historical events that shaped Singapore’s identity, The Violinist offers a nostalgic glimpse into the nation’s cultural and architectural landscape. Iconic buildings are vividly depicted, showcasing a time long past. Han emphasized the dedication to accurately represent Singapore’s evolution, meticulously recreating both pre- and post-war urban environments.

The lengthy production process involved extensive research into Singapore’s cultural and architectural history. For instance, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra provided valuable archives that supported detailed studies of venues like the Victoria Concert Hall and Esplanade Concert Hall. The character’s childhood home is based on the NUS Baba House, a restored Peranakan shophouse that reflects the lifestyle of affluent merchants during the early 1900s.

“To me, it’s essential to tell a story about our identity and origins,” Han noted. “This film also serves as a tribute to those shaped by historical events. I aimed to create a narrative that bridges history and imagination, honoring the resilience of individuals whose stories might otherwise be overlooked.”

Co-directed by former Disney animator Raul Garcia, known for his work on classics such as Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, The Violinist features executive production by Leonard Lai and music from Golden Horse Award-winning composer Ricky Ho. This project is a collaboration between Robot Playground Media from Singapore, Spain’s TV ON Producciones, and Italy’s Altri Occhi, alongside teams from Japan, Canada, Colombia, and Taiwan.

The film was showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June, with global sales launched at the Cannes Film Market in May. Currently still in production, it aims for a March 2026 completion and is set for a theatrical release in Singapore in August 2026.

Voices for the characters include Tan Kheng Hua as the older Fei and rising talent Fang Rong as the younger Fei, along with actors Adrian Pang and Ayden Sng.

Fang Rong expressed her emotional connection to the script, saying, “I cried several times while reading it. The story resonated with me deeply…” Tan added, relishing the creative freedom voice acting offers. “I enjoy the simplicity of being in a booth with just a microphone,” she remarked, while also acknowledging the film’s significant emotional depth.