Singapore counts on '881' for Oscar

HONG KONG - Royston Tan helmed "881" has been selected to represent Singapore as the country's contender in the foreign-language Oscar category.

Pic, set in the gaudy and bizarre world of "getai," a particularly Singaporean style of music played to please seasonal ghosts, has been a smash hit.

Repped in international markets by Easternlight, the Asian sales arm of Oz-U.S. sales house Arclight, pic is one of four to show in upcoming Pusan festival's newly-created Gala section.

Movie was produced by Zhao Wei Films and MediaCorp Raintree Pictures in association with Scorpio East Pictures, the Media Development Authority of Singapore and Infinite Frameworks.

- Story by Patrick Frater, Variety.com