Artist Spotlight: Vivian Qu, Director of SGIFF 2017 Opening Film Angels Wear White

Vivian Qu has plenty of producing credits to her name and is a star in the Chinese independent film community, having produced arthouse films such as Knitting (2008), Night Train (2007) and Black Coal, Thin Ice (2014). But besides producing, the Chinese filmmaker also has a firm hand on creating her own works,  having scripted and directed her critically acclaimed debut Trap Street in 2013 and with it, becoming the first Chinese female filmmaker to … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Vivian Qu, Director of SGIFF 2017 Opening Film Angels Wear White

Review: Back to Burgundy dir. Cedric Klapisch

There are a few things one thinks of when it comes to French food – baguettes, cheese and probably, wine. Whether or not you do indulge in wine, Back To Burgundy is a film that’ll leave you thirsty for it and the glorious French countryside director Cedric Klapisch showcases so beautifully throughout. Back To Burgundy is a stirring family drama set in the vineyards of Burgundy as rebellious son … Continue reading Review: Back to Burgundy dir. Cedric Klapisch

The Godfather Speaks II: Daniel Boey on the 2017 Singapore Fashion Awards

The SFAs first started in 2001, and was a biennial event before taking a hiatus in the mid-2000s. After its revival in 2016, it is now set to become an annual event in the fashion calendar. Said Boey: “Fashion designers used to be akin to rock stars in the 90s, each of them having huge followings and droves of fans. But the scene has changed … Continue reading The Godfather Speaks II: Daniel Boey on the 2017 Singapore Fashion Awards

Review: Lost in Paris dir. Dominique Abel & Fiona Gordon

Written, directed by and starring clown-trained duo and couple Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon, Lost In Paris features their signature whimsical style and is a charming romp into the French city of light. Fiona Gordon stars as a small town Canadian librarian suddenly called to Paris when her aged Aunt Martha (the late Emmanuelle Riva) sends her a distress letter. Packing up her things, Fiona leaves her … Continue reading Review: Lost in Paris dir. Dominique Abel & Fiona Gordon

Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Koodiyattam – Nangiarkoothu by Kapila Venu (Review)

Beyond new contemporary works, the Esplanade’s annual Kalaa Utsavam also regularly features traditional arts in its lineup, and 2017 is no different. This year, we had the rare privilege of watching master koodiyattam practitioner Kapila Venu perform the ancient, UNESCO-recgonized art form. A little background information for the unfamiliar: koodiyattam is a 2,000 year old theatrical tradition originating from Kerala, India. Often performed in temples, … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Koodiyattam – Nangiarkoothu by Kapila Venu (Review)

SGIFF 2017: Spooks and Thrills at Midnight Mayhem

Now in its 28th edition, the Singapore International Film Festival returns to bring the best international and regional cinema to our shores for 11 days. Today, we’re highlighting an all new section introduced this year specially for the night owls – Midnight Mayhem, a selection of four thrilling horror films to be played at – you guessed it – midnight on each Friday and Saturday of the … Continue reading SGIFF 2017: Spooks and Thrills at Midnight Mayhem

Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Anjaneyam – Hanuman’s Ramayana by Apsaras Arts

Indian culture and mythology spans centuries, giving birth to hundreds of tales about various gods and goddesses, royals and monsters. So it stands to reason that the 2017 Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts would open with an adaptation of one of the most famous tales of all – the Ramayana.  Focusing on the life and adventures of the monkey god Hanuman (played by Hari … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Anjaneyam – Hanuman’s Ramayana by Apsaras Arts

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with W!ld Rice’s Ivan Heng, Glen Goei and Pam Oei

W!ld Rice’s annual Christmas pantomime opens in less than a week, and we couldn’t be more excited to catch it. Since its inception, W!ld Rice’s pantos have gone above and beyond simply being a show for children to enjoy with their families, to becoming all-encompassing theatrical extravaganzas filled with a whole barrel of laughs and plenty of love to go around. This year, they’ll be … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: An Interview with W!ld Rice’s Ivan Heng, Glen Goei and Pam Oei

Review: Overtime by Myle Yan Tay and Nathaniel Mah

Earlier this month we were pleasantly surprised by a highly competent production of Jean Tay’s Boom by a group of students from Yale-NUS. We thought this was the kind of thing that comes by only every so often, but evidently we were wrong, having proverbial lightning strike twice with Myle Yan Tay and Nathaniel Mah’s new musical tackling office life: Overtime. Overtime is the rare … Continue reading Review: Overtime by Myle Yan Tay and Nathaniel Mah

Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Sharul Weds Sharul by Sharul Channa

Sharul Channa is a riot. Or at the very least, she could probably start one easily if she tried, with almost no topic too taboo to tackle. Now, Sharul is happily married (to fellow comedian Rishi Budhrani), but as a strong, independent woman, has her hangups about the deeply misogynistic nature of some Indian traditions. So naturally, in her newest ‘comedic monologue’ (‘so it sounds … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Sharul Weds Sharul by Sharul Channa