Opinion

Commentary, Op-Eds, Opinion, Raffles Reviews

Filmhouse, The Projector, and the Struggle of Staying Indie
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Nithilan Balachander (26A01C)

At about noon on 19 August 2025, long-time cinephiles, arts scene enthusiasts, and performative (fe)males alike started discovering, devastatingly, that The Projector was closing down. Actually, it wasn’t even “closing down”— it already had, they were just announcing it. The only cinema in Singapore dedicated to indie film was in so much debt that it had to enter liquidation, and had to do it so suddenly that it could not even announce it in advance. 

On 12 January 2026, the Straits Times reported that a new cinema called “Filmhouse” was to take over the space, and on 3 February 2026, Filmhouse started screenings, retaining many of the personnel and a lot of the interior furnishings from The Projector. Everyone rejoiced, some reposted the Straits Times/Mothership/CNA Instagram post, and a few even went to watch a movie or two…

But, wait. That’s really all it took? 5 months and 15 days, and indie cinema in Singapore was saved?

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Commentary, Current Affairs, Opinion, Sports

Alysa Liu: What Victory Should Look Like
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Gladys Koh (26A01B)

Alysa smiles as she glides across the ice, and already, something feels different. 

From the first note, her performance brims with joy. Skating to the vibrant, disco beat of Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite”, Alysa casts her hands in the air, surrendering to the music’s rhythm and flow. Every trail of her arm, every spin, every leap carries her above the world’s greatest stage. Alysa quickly becomes emotion unbound. And as the music builds into a sprightly, anthemic crescendo, she hurls herself into a triple loop. 

It is clean. 

The crowd erupts. 

Alysa grins. 

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Commentary, Op-Eds, Opinion

Why is 2016 Back?
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By: Gladys Koh (26A01B)

“We Ain’t Ever Getting Older” 

Now playing: Closer – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey

Palm trees are swaying. The sky is a vibrant purple-pink. The Chainsmokers’ latest hit crackles through the radio. 

You have just entered Primary School. You and your friends sit in a circle, making Rainbow Looms. Fidget spinners lay beside. A parent heads over to take a picture for your group, and all of you dab simultaneously without saying a word.  

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Music Reviews, Opinion, Raffles Reviews

Exploring Indie: The Niché Side of Music
Reading Time: 9 minutes

By Nicole Lee (26S05A)

There’s a sad truth for all indie listeners – there’s only a small, if not, near non-existent fandom for the music we listen to.

You’ve probably already heard of the term ‘indie’, but let’s revisit it:

Fig 1. Definition of ‘indie’ according to the Oxford Dictionary. 

Indie artists are predominantly independent labels; they’re groups of talented people trying to get their music out into the world, hoping that it reaches the ears of listeners across the globe. Although, the outreach is often limited, with the indie genre eventually being coined as ‘niche’. 

Beneath all the music lies layers and layers of edited orchestra or soundtracks, coupled with heavily revised lyrics; indie artists probably work just as hard as the global favourites, yet their efforts are often met with little returns. 

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Commentary, Op-Eds, Opinion, Student Issues

Lessons from a L****
Reading Time: 11 minutes

By Cherie Khoo (26S03B)

Foreword

This is meant for anyone who has ever lost something, or lost at something, before. 

That is to say, it is for everyone. 

But most especially for teachers, the best of whom have never given up on their students. To any who may be reading this, I hope it gives both you and your students greater conviction in possessing the ability to succeed (in any form).

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