The exclusivity of Art House Films in Singapore : deconstructing social barriers

Abstract

The exclusivity of art house films in Singapore reduces the potential of film as a culturally accessible art form that is instrumental to the development of one’s sociological imagination. As is explored in this paper, this exclusivity does not stem from any substantive assessment of art house films, but rather, an aesthetic classification, where the term ‘art house’ is perceived by filmgoers to represent high culture and intellectualised content due to a combination of both structural factors and cultural dimensions. As such, what contributes to the exclusivity of art house films in Singapore? Using a conceptual foundation that assimilates a study of film distribution at the structural level with an examination of high culture, the self and identity, this research project analyses the fragmented feedback loop that exists between film distributors, cinemas and filmgoers that results in the perpetuation of the exclusivity of art house films in Singapore.