An old woman's recollection of romance under the Japanese occupation of Singapore causes her young interviewer to re-evaluate life, memory and history.

Widespread death, loss and destruction are unimaginable but ingrained concepts evoked through the collective memory of Singaporeans at the mention of the word Occupation. Undoubtedly, this has much to do with the years of government rhetoric on the war years. Yet beyond the statistics of lives lost, of buildings reduced to rubble and national boundaries permutated lie human figures, and their human stories - tales that involve more intimate emotions, tears, flesh and all.

Jo Kukathas powerfully portrays a pantheon of characters, whom through their various experiences and/or opinions on the Japanese war years, explore themes that transcend time - love, family, class and religion, to name just a few.

Beautifully set in a minimal stage, where crystalline Philippe Starck chairs serve as metaphorical reminders of the many acquaintances we meet in our life experiences, Ms Kukathas shines.

And that is what makes Occupation so beautifully executed.