Esplanade Presents | A Date With Friends Film Screening: The Last Artisan (PG13) A film by Craig McTurk

The Last Artisan is a feature-length documentary directed by Craig McTurk, an American filmmaker based in Singapore. The film illustrates the meeting of past and present at Singapore's Haw Par Villa, where hundreds of vibrantly crafted statues tell of poignant myths and morals.After serving as the park’s head artisan for seven decades, Teo Veoh Seng prepares to retire, passing his tools and paintbrushes to two young apprentices from Mainland China, nearly half his age. How will these protégés cope with their master's exacting standards and strict discipline? As skills and values are imparted to the next generation, the dramatic history of Haw Par Villa and Teo's turbulent life become a reflection of a nation balancing its analogue past with the demands of a digital future. Join us for a post-screening conversation with film director Craig McTurk, moderated by Noorlinah Mohamed.