Alan a 13 year old boy, attends a tuition class, being taught by a physically aggressive teacher, MS SEE. Trying to secretly record audio evidence of the abuse on his phone, we experience the class play out from his perspective. Ms See picks on AZIRAH, another student in the class who isn’t as good with her work as the rest, we see how Alan tries to stand up for her only to be shot down, and have Ms See set her sights on him instead. As the class progresses, so does her aggressive treatment to the children. Alan is pushed to his limits when his attempt at recording the evidence doesn’t go as plan. “Tuition” aims to not just engage but also provoke thought, long after the credits have rolled.

A Viddsee Original Production

Director Statement:
Where do we draw the line between discipline and abuse? The societal pressures we put on our children to achieve good grades has been portrayed in various forms of media on many occasions. The aim of this short film wasn’t to do a rethread on that, but instead, present it in a way that fully encapsulated the feeling of dread that permeates those going through it. As adults, we tend to brush off such matters in favour of good results, but from a child’s point of view going through such an ordeal seemed so harrowing, almost as if it’s a “life or death” scenario. “Tuition” aims to utilise a style and approach which didn’t just tell the story; but one that would hopefully capture the experience of it as well.

It is in this depiction of dread, that we truly see how much is on the line for each student, if they do decide to help each other. Yet, facing what seems to be insurmountable odds, it is only in the silent support of a fellow neighbour that they are able to get out of this together. More prevalent now in such times of uncertainty, the support they have for each other through what seems like insurmountable odds, is what manages to help them through their adversity. Ultimately, I hope “tuition” is something that resonates with its audience, even after the credits roll.