Review: The White Girl dir. Jenny Suen and Christopher Doyle (SGIFF 2017)

There’s a cheesy quote that goes along the lines of ‘to know what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph.’ It’s not always accurate, but in the case of Jenny Suen’s directorial debut (co-directed with cinematographer legend Christopher Doyle), it’s a phrase that echoes throughout the film more than ever. The White Girl is a film about memory. Described as a homecoming for both Suen … Continue reading Review: The White Girl dir. Jenny Suen and Christopher Doyle (SGIFF 2017)

Artist Spotlight: Jenny Suen, Co-Director of The White Girl (SGIFF 2017)

Hong Kong filmmaker Jenny Suen has a strange relationship with her home country. Like many artists, she felt stifled growing up in the congested, business-centric city and wanted out. But upon moving to America for her studies, she felt a sudden pang of homesickness, and when she watched Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood For Love for the first time, she was suddenly struck with how beautiful … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Jenny Suen, Co-Director of The White Girl (SGIFF 2017)

SGIFF 2017: Getting to Know the Youth Jury and Critics

At the 28th Singapore International Film Festival, the Youth Jury and Critics Programme makes a welcome return, with the aim of nurturing a new generation of young critics from the region. Since October, the thirteen participants have been meeting every Saturday to attend lectures from various personalities in the industry, ranging from TV presenters like Genevieve Loh to Vietnamese filmmaker Tran Anh Hung. The participants … Continue reading SGIFF 2017: Getting to Know the Youth Jury and Critics

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Anup Singh, Director of The Song of Scorpions (SGIFF 2017)

In 2001, Geneva-based, Tanzanian-born director Anup Singh made waves around the film festival circuit with his debut feature film The Name of a River. His exploration of Indian culture and mythology through oneiric cinematography and mythic narratives continued in his sophomore feature Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost in 2013 and marked his first collaboration with Indian film actor Irrfan Khan. Anup’s latest film The Song … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Anup Singh, Director of The Song of Scorpions (SGIFF 2017)

Review: Mama White Snake by W!ld Rice

It’s the end of the year, and frankly, it’s been a long one, one that’s left us somewhat drained, a little emotional, and wanting a break. It’s times like these you want to watch a show that’s entertaining, yet mature enough in its ambition to strike an emotional chord. Thankfully, Mama White Snake is just the right medicine the doctor ordered and ends off W!ld Rice’s 2017 … Continue reading Review: Mama White Snake by W!ld Rice

Preview: Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay

  Ever felt that Singapore lacks a true Christmas spirit? Fear no more, as the fourth edition of Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay brings plenty of that holiday cheer to our sunny island once more for the whole of December! Organized by Blue Sky Events with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, the annual yuletide affair takes place from 1st to 26th December this year, daily … Continue reading Preview: Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay

Review: My Love Is Blind by Musical Theatre Limited

Presented by Musical Theatre Limited, My Love Is Blind marks one of the first locally produced musicals featuring visually impaired actors onstage. Although simple in plot, My Love Is Blind goes all out to push the important message that just because one is blind, doesn’t mean they’re disabled, but in fact, just as capable as a sighted person. Based off the true story of Tan Guan Heng, My … Continue reading Review: My Love Is Blind by Musical Theatre Limited

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Kan Lumé, Co-director of hUSh (SGIFF 2017)

  Kan Lumé is an award-winning director and filmmaker based in Singapore. Over the years, he’s worked on various television programmes for Mediacorp, before making his mark as a rising star in the new generation of filmmakers. Kan’s feature films have picked up multiple awards and accolades, including the Best Newcomer Award at the Torino Film Festival for Solos (2007), the NETPAC Award at the … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Kan Lumé, Co-director of hUSh (SGIFF 2017)

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Xu Bing, Director of Dragonfly Eyes (SGIFF 2017)

Chinese visual artist Xu Bing is primarily an installation based artist. But in 2017, he made his film directorial debut with Dragonfly Eyes, snagging the FIPRESCI Prize and Special Mention: Ecumenical Jury at the Locarno International Film Festival 2017. Dragonfly Eyes continues Xu’s ongoing exploration of communication and the way we interact, carefully editing down over 11,000 hours of footage obtained from surveillance cameras to create a completely unstaged, … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Xu Bing, Director of Dragonfly Eyes (SGIFF 2017)

Review: NINAGAWA Macbeth by The Ninagawa Company (presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay)

It’s hard to believe that a single play can hold the power to leave such an impression on an audience member that it can even be considered life-changing. But this is in no way an exaggeration of how the unique experience of watching a play by the late Yukio Ninagawa. The thunderous applause and standing ovation a Ninagawa play receives is completely warranted. NINAGAWA Macbeth was … Continue reading Review: NINAGAWA Macbeth by The Ninagawa Company (presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay)