The Obs: A Singapore Story

Hailed as Singapore’s most important independent band, The Observatory and their brooding, brilliant and confounding music are explored in this quietly contemplative music documentary.

Tracing the footsteps of the group’s core members, The Obs: A Singapore Story looks back at the country’s early nation-building period, when native music faced a clampdown by the government, which accused it of ‘western decadence’, to understand the creative process of one of Singapore’s longest-surviving outfits. From Bali to Bergen, The Obs highlights the constant struggle between artistic vision and pragmatic realities; an unwavering commitment to evolution versus a society that unforgivingly favours the mainstream.

More than a music film, The Obs is a tale of uncompromising passion, of culture and of belonging, and the costs—and invaluable rewards—of being creative.