881 is a 2007 Singaporean musical-comedy-drama film written and directed by Royston Tan, based on the Singapore getai scene.
[4] The film was submitted to the 44th Golden Horse Awards by Mediacorp, and received a nomination for best makeup and costume design.
One fateful day during the Ghost Festival they began their career as a Getai duo after watching a performance by Chen Jin Lang.
Aunt Ling revealed that she had been on hiatus from her Getai career for 20 years, before visiting the temple to seek the Goddess.
The Goddess granted them the voices of the legendary Pearl Sisters along with a magical feather each, with conditions to respect the spirits, getai and people alike, and refrain from speaking vulgarities and having relationships with men.
Big Papaya was still depressed since her banishment from her house, and kissed Guan Yin, even though the Goddess had forbidden it.
Small Papaya's dress was very loose and Aunt Ling asked Guan Yin to retake her measurements.
The challenge would be held on the 30th night at Li Xing stage, with the losing duo permanently retiring from Getai.
Guan Yin decided to sell his pet chicken to raise funds to pay off medical bills.
Aunt Ling then talked to the Goddess and it was revealed they were in love with the same man Ah Long, Guan Yin's father, 20 years ago.
Guan Yin ended his narration by mentioning that he looks forward to every seventh month, as that is the only time all three of them can be reunited.
[6] The film's story was originally conceived as a joke after Royston and the two lead actresses agreed that Getai was one of Singapore's uniquely Singaporean cultural attributes.
[7] It took Royston Tan 22 days to produce the film and only two weeks to write it, which, according to him, was the easiest and fastest script he has written.
Produced by Eric Ng of Funkie Monkies Productions, the soundtrack consists of 15 songs (1 hidden) and 4 music videos.
While promoting the film from a truck on Orchard Road, the cast was pelted with eggs by an unidentified assailant riding pillion.