AAS Exclusive: Dinner, Talk & a Movie - and a Tour!

Note this event is happening on two different dates! See below.

Join this super cool event only available to you through the American Association! AAS Members: be sure to sign in for a 15% discount.

Dinner and wine, a lecture, a movie – and a tour! WOW!

What's the buzz? 

The 1979 Hollywood film Saint Jack directed by Peter Bogdanovich was secretly filmed entirely on location in Singapore. Rated R18, the movie explores Singpaore's seedier and darker side through the eyes of its main character, an American pimp (Ben Gazzara) Jack Flowers. Jack, an American hustler in early 1970s Singapore, dreams of building a fortune by running a brothel and returning to the States to lead a life of luxury. This crime drama will keep you on the edge of your seat! The film be shown  on a large screen in XCL American Academy's beautiful theater.

The talk: the making of the film

The back story to this movie is absolutley riveting! Hear all about it before the movie starts from author Ben Slater who wrote a book detailing the hilarious, fascinating and poignant tale of what happened when Hollywood came to Singapore for five months in 1978.

This film was banned in Singapore for many years! Why? Because it showed the underbelly of Singapore that the Singapore governement wasn't keen to be seen. The cast and crew duped authorities during its production, saying they were filming a romantic comedy called Jack of Hearts. While the film was released overseas, the Singapore government refused to let it be shown here for many years.

 

The food: Singaporean delights

To get us all in the Singaporean mood, a delicious local meal will be served with wine before movie starts. The meal includes: Corned Beef Bulgogi in Bao Buns, with pickled vegetables, Jalapeno, mint, cilantro and Siracha aioli; Chicken Satay; Traditional Nyonya Laksa Live Station; Mee Siam live station; Traditional Kueh Pie Tee Live food station; Cheese Prata Dog; and a Popcorn station.

The tour: see the sites in the movie

But wait, there's more! A week later, on Saturday March 5, Jane's Tours will do a special private tour of all the locations featured in the film. Travel by coach and see how things have changed, yet remained the same.  You'll go home with a copy of Ben Slater's book, "Kinda Hot: The Making of Saint Jack in Singapore."

Movie reviews

Note reviews are from when the film was released in 1979.

"A super movie!" – Pete Hamill, NY Daily News

"THIS IS THE REAL STUFF, movie fans. Real hookers, real madams - and really fine acting. STUNNING! – Claudia Cohen, NY Post

"A NEW KIND OF MOVIE!" Tough, tight, two-fisted and uncompromising. Gazzara's searing performance ignites the screen. Cosmic brilliance."  – Rex Reed

"Rough and tough, seedy and cynical. A DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE BY BEN GAZZARA." 

– William Wolf, CUE

Your options

Sign up your way. Choose both days or just the movie night or just the tour. 

 1) Dinner, Talk & Movie

     February 24, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

     XCL World Academy

2) Tour

     March 5, 4:00 to 7:00 pm

     The American Club (meeting point)

Note

Tour capacity is limited so the tour may sell out before the movie night does. 

Also, this is an adults-only event as the film is rated R18 and too racy for children.