Two girls, one dream.
Little Papaya and Big Papaya grew up idolizing Chen Jin Lang, the King of Hokkien Getai, and dreamt of one day becoming ‘Getai’ singers themselves. This is their heart-wrenching story as told by their highly sensitive friend and driver, Guan Yin.
Coached by their seamstress Ling Yi (Aunt Ling), the Papaya sisters struggled at first because they had no “feel” in their voices. As a last resort, they appeal to Aunt Ling’s estranged twin sister, the Goddess of ‘Getai’, for help. She grants them their wish, but warns them that the price will be high, especially if they do not obey the rules of ‘Getai’. The most difficult rule “Rule number 5” dictates that they may not love or be loved by any man.
After receiving the blessing, The Papaya sisters hit the ‘Getai’ circuit by storm, and using their newfound “feel”, sing their hearts out. Big Papaya pursues her dream despite strong parental objections. Little Papaya, like her deceased parents, has cancer and is in a personal race against time to realize her potential. Through their perseverance, hard work and the help of Aunt Ling’s amazing costumes, the Papaya Sisters become the most popular sister act in town. They use their fame to help raise funds to help Chen Jin Lang, who is also suffering from cancer, but they are soon devastated by his passing. While Little Papaya grieves, Big Papaya finds solace in the arms of Guan Yin.
Unbeknownst to them, rival sister group the Durian Sisters have become intensely jealous of the Papayas' success, and are determined to trip them up by messing up their schedule. With the help of their gangster Godfather, the Durians succeed in shutting the Papayas out of many ‘Getai’ performances. Guan Yin cannot defend them from the Durians, and even the Goddess is appalled by the tactics employed by the Durians. She grants the Papayas whatever celestial powers she can bestow, but the Goddess also warns them that there is a limit to what she can do.
At one such confrontation, the Durians challenge the Papayas to a showdown. The stakes are high: whoever loses will have to leave the ‘Getai’ scene for good. The Papayas accept, and start preparing for the big day – new costumes, new songs, new dances. The movie climaxes with a dramatic musical battle. Both sides pull out all the stops to win over the audience.
Little Papaya and Big Papaya grew up idolizing Chen Jin Lang, the King of Hokkien Getai, and dreamt of one day becoming ‘Getai’ singers themselves. This is their heart-wrenching story as told by their highly sensitive friend and driver, Guan Yin.
Coached by their seamstress Ling Yi (Aunt Ling), the Papaya sisters struggled at first because they had no “feel” in their voices. As a last resort, they appeal to Aunt Ling’s estranged twin sister, the Goddess of ‘Getai’, for help. She grants them their wish, but warns them that the price will be high, especially if they do not obey the rules of ‘Getai’. The most difficult rule “Rule number 5” dictates that they may not love or be loved by any man.
After receiving the blessing, The Papaya sisters hit the ‘Getai’ circuit by storm, and using their newfound “feel”, sing their hearts out. Big Papaya pursues her dream despite strong parental objections. Little Papaya, like her deceased parents, has cancer and is in a personal race against time to realize her potential. Through their perseverance, hard work and the help of Aunt Ling’s amazing costumes, the Papaya Sisters become the most popular sister act in town. They use their fame to help raise funds to help Chen Jin Lang, who is also suffering from cancer, but they are soon devastated by his passing. While Little Papaya grieves, Big Papaya finds solace in the arms of Guan Yin.
Unbeknownst to them, rival sister group the Durian Sisters have become intensely jealous of the Papayas' success, and are determined to trip them up by messing up their schedule. With the help of their gangster Godfather, the Durians succeed in shutting the Papayas out of many ‘Getai’ performances. Guan Yin cannot defend them from the Durians, and even the Goddess is appalled by the tactics employed by the Durians. She grants the Papayas whatever celestial powers she can bestow, but the Goddess also warns them that there is a limit to what she can do.
At one such confrontation, the Durians challenge the Papayas to a showdown. The stakes are high: whoever loses will have to leave the ‘Getai’ scene for good. The Papayas accept, and start preparing for the big day – new costumes, new songs, new dances. The movie climaxes with a dramatic musical battle. Both sides pull out all the stops to win over the audience.
Now tell me this, what the hell is a Papaya Girls? That'probably the corniest name i've ever heard after Human Torch. I've got the invites from Singapore and the movie is releasing 9th Aug in Singapore.
Nothing fantastic actually about this until i found out that the Papaya (or Durian) twin sisters are May Wan & Choy Wan. Now, that will be fun. They've appear in our FHM posing as the hottest threesome you've ever imagined. But this...
Upon further research 881 is coming to our cinemas too. 1 month later. If you're keen with our Malaysian counterpart, watch out for it 6th September onwards.
And by the way, Getai, actually means 'ge tai' in mandarin, which means a stage. Remember during the Chinese Hungry Ghost festival there's always performances in your neighbourhood? Where you have no idea why these bunch of people on the stage sings your grandpa's fav song?
