As Singapore ramps up its National Day celebrations, the iconic Marina Bay Sands has released a short film honouring the growth of the nation. Titled Nothing Comes By Chance, the four-minute short film stars local personalities who have put the nation on the map. Following its release, ELLE Singapore spoke to some of the cast—actress Lim Shi An, singer-producer Jasmine Sokko and Aliwal Chess Club founder Hirfan Romzi—about their work on the project and what they love about the city we call home.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kirsten Tan, Nothing Comes By Chance stitches together moments of Singaporeans living, learning and defining ambition on their own terms. From heartfelt moments shared between Shi An and her mother, actress Tan Kheng Hua, to a heated chess match between Hirfan and young chess prodigy Lana Rice, it reveals a more emotional, human face to our national narrative of growth and success.
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“Working with Kirsten was transformative,” said Jasmine, who also shared that the filmmaker encouraged her to shed her “cool and distant” on-stage persona and expand her emotional range for the film. The singer’s first few scenes, in which she coolly races through town in a sports car, highlights the glitz and glamour of the city. Later in the film, she settles at a roadside eatery where an encounter with a lost dog finally gets her to crack a smile. “That has been empowering, not just for this project, but for how I think about my craft as an artiste.”
Hirfan also praised Tan’s creative vision, adding that it was “surreal” watching the filmmaker bring the cinematic chess scene to life. Shot between rows of neon-lit heritage shophouses, the scene was an homage to Paul Morphy’s 1858 Opera Game, often used by chess instructors, but chosen in this instance for its theatrical flair. “It visually reimagines what chess can be—elevated, stylish, and full of character,” he said.
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While Nothing Comes By Chance spotlighted much of what Singapore has to offer, from our hypermodern Central Business District to the familiar heartlands, the cast were also eager to share their favourite places and memories across the island. Shi An fondly recalled afternoons spent at Changi Beach with her family, watching planes take off and land from its shores. Meanwhile, Hirfan shared after-school memories of racing to catch his neighbourhood vendor for an ice-cream sandwich. “It’s such a nostalgic taste of childhood here,” he said.
Of course, no discussion of national pride in Singapore is complete without the mention of food. To that end, Shi An gushes about Different Taste in Siglap as one of her go-to spots for a hearty feed. “It’s a super homely and affordable place serving my favourite Peranakan dishes,” she said, naming favourites like Assam fish head and Buah Keluak. Hirfan jumped at the opportunity to spotlight ABC Brickworks Food Centre in Alexandra, which he dubs a “true hidden gem”. “It’s a bit off the usual radar, but you’ll find some of the best local dishes there,” he said. “The flavours are honest, and the queues are always worth it.”
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And what’s next for our young creatives? Riding the high of her recent album Burnout Dynasty, Jasmine plans to continue honing her craft and finding new ways to bring her music to life. In a similar vein, Hirfan is already dreaming up innovative ways to revitalise chess for our country’s youth—starting with launching Singapore’s first chessboxing experience. Meanwhile, Shi An revealed she has several projects in the pipeline, ranging from short films and theatre productions, through which she hopes to keep telling stories of our nation. “All of them explore different facets of Singaporean society. Art is my favourite medium to celebrate and critique this place we call home,” she said.