A love letter is often defined as a means of expressing a lover’s affection. And that is exactly what seven Singaporean film-makers, namely Royston Tan, Eric Khoo, K Rajagopal, Jack Neo, Tan Pin Pin, Boo Junfeng and Kelvin Tong have clearly and evocatively done in the SG50 anthology 7 Letters.

Anthology movies are tricky, slippery ideals that do not often resonate with the mainstream audience. Why watch a bunch of short films with possibly clashing perspectives when you can watch one feature-length movie in its entirety? Throw in the fact that it is the gathering of seven equally illustrious (albeit very different) local film-makers on a never-been-done film project to mark a banner year, and surely, pressure and expectations will be stacked against what many will expect to be the quintessential Singapore movie?

“I think Singapore is represented by so many different cultures and different voices. I don’t know if there is such a thing as the ‘quintessential (Singapore film)’,” K Rajagopal told TODAY. “I think it depends on the perspective of the film-maker. Anything that represents a slice of Singapore means something.”

Tan Pin Pin agreed, adding that this is “a film Singapore audiences feel they can call their own … a film that speaks to them, about their concerns, their joys and their hopes. It can take any form, short, long, or any genre”.

Indeed, 7 Letters is that Singapore film — that rare big-screen anthology that transcends the limits of its form, combining the advantages of its genre with heartfelt sincerity from its makers who are free from the constraints of narrative, and thus free to simply paint their impressionistic portraits of their homeland and create a living tableau of our island city-state. Boo Junfeng’s story, for example, is of a man returning to Singapore from Malaysia in search of a woman he used to love; while Eric Khoo’s is a tribute to the pioneer generation of film-makers in the golden era of Singaporean cinema.

But can seven directors produce stories that will blend well?

“I was struck by the sincerity in all the films,” Boo Junfeng said. “Even though none of us knew what the other was doing, there was an unspoken sense of love (in) every film.

“We all have our unique ways of identifying with Singapore or being Singaporean. But at the heart of it is a sense of love for this place we call home. I think that sense of love comes through in 7 Letters.”

And even with very different voices and perspectives, this historic collaboration has been very significant for each individual film-maker.

“I think it means a lot to have this opportunity to come together (for) a film project like this.” Said Rajagopal. “It is an opportunity to represent what it means to live in this country that I was born into, to talk about it through a medium that I am very passionate about.”

For Royston Tan, who also served as executive producer of the 7 Letters project, this endeavour is all about the collaborative effort of seven voices and telling the stories that are relatable to fellow Singaporeans.

“It’s a Singaporean telling stories from his own eyes,” he said. “I think it’s a homecoming experience where we can connect with our roots, our present and, most importantly, our future. With a better understanding of all these, we can create the future we want.”

Supported by the Singapore Film Commission, 7 Letters will Gala Premiere at Capitol Theatre from Jul 24- 26 2015. Three additional screenings of the film will be shown at the National Museum of Singapore’s Gallery Theatre from Aug 8-10.