RISE!

In 2015, NJC collaborated with Community Chest to produce a short inspirational film, Rise (click link for video), about a competitive basketball team captain who goes the extra mile to share some hope with his teammate (who has never scored in his life) and in doing so, discover that winning isn't everything. We were very keen to support this initiative as it was for a good cause and would also provide a valuable and rare experience for our students, whether it was acting or simply being exposed to how a film is made.

Almost all the cast members are from NJC, including 2 of the 3 main actors. The lead actor is Caleb Teo from JH305, and you will also spot students from JH2-SH1. The entire filming took place in NJC, mostly in the ISH and outdoor basketball court, from 2 to 4 September 2015. About 20 of our boys were cast as the basketball players and another 60 additional students were involved as the spectators of the basketball match.

FUN FACT: The producer originally opened a public casting call for the lead cast, but since our NJCians turned out to be so talented in portraying the roles, eventually there was only one external actor and everyone else was from NJC!

This video had been posted on online platforms, and a shortened version of it would be shown in Cathay cinemas before the start of some movies. The official launch of the short film was also graced by President Tony Tan.

Brief quotes from the cast members:

"The filming experience was a fun and enjoyable one. It was a very different experience from the other VIA activities that I have participated in." - Chang Zi Ming, 15SH01

"Our coach once told us the purpose of us helping out with the filming. It was not to gain fame or recognition; rather, it was to help unconditionally. We did not have to claim credit for what we have done. Having to see and know that there are people out there who have benefited from our efforts is good enough" - Xie Yiliu, JH404

"I had a memorable and enjoyable time with my CCA mates and throughout the course of spending just 2 whole days with them, I have gotten to know many of them better and we had a lot of fun together" - Lenet Kong, 15SH04