★★★★☆ Review: The Edge of Daybreak dir. Taiki Sakpisit

It’s always darkest before the dawn. Across horror films, the haunted house trope has remained one of the Western world’s strongest. From its humble beginnings as simply a cursed space where visitors and inhabitants meet gruesome ends, the modern haunted house film has evolved to explore how generations of trauma infect the space, becoming a musing on cycles of violence and pain households become ensnared … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Edge of Daybreak dir. Taiki Sakpisit

SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Taiki Sakpisit, director of ‘The Edge of Daybreak’

Thai director Taiki Sakpisit is in town for the 32nd Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). Not only is he promoting his FIPRESCI Prize-winning debut feature film The Edge of Daybreak, but also, he’s mentoring budding Southeast Asian filmmakers here as part of SGIFF’s Film Lab programme. Speaking to us over coffee, Taiki is a soft-spoken man, genuinely joyous and full of enthusiasm when speaking about … Continue reading SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Taiki Sakpisit, director of ‘The Edge of Daybreak’

★★★★☆ Review: Barbarian Invasion dir. Tan Chui Mui

Finding strength and power through film. “When I was younger, film was everything,” says director Roger Woo (Pete Teo), in Malaysian filmmaker Tan Chui Mui’s new film Barbarian Invasion. “Now, everything is film.” In many ways, that’s the quote that encapsulates Barbarian Invasion as a whole, as it considers the thin line between fiction and reality, and the redemptive qualities of performance and film. Playing … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Barbarian Invasion dir. Tan Chui Mui

SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Jake Wachtel, director of ‘Karmalink’

It’s Thanksgiving over in the USA, but Jake Wachtel is 8,000 miles away from his home in California. Instead, the director is here in Singapore to promote his debut feature film Karmalink, which plays as part of the 32nd Singapore International Film Festival. Touted as the first Cambodian science fiction film, Karmalink is a triumph in the small country’s developing film scene, with a majority … Continue reading SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Jake Wachtel, director of ‘Karmalink’

Film Fanatic: Female-led Momo Film Co. collaborates with Beach House Pictures to expand scripted slate on global scale

Momo Film Co. joins award-winning production company Beach House Pictures, a Blue Ant Media company, with Beach House Pictures acquiring a majority stake in the company led by co-founders Tan Si En and Kris Ong. The move brings Momo Film Co’s expertise and innovation in Asian scripted content to Beach House Pictures — one of the largest independent production companies in Asia — doubling down … Continue reading Film Fanatic: Female-led Momo Film Co. collaborates with Beach House Pictures to expand scripted slate on global scale

Film Fanatic: True Colors Film Festival 2021

The second edition of the True Colors Film Festival (TCFF) 2021 returns from 3rd to 12th December, offering audiences free streaming of 10 features, 21 shorts and 4 dialogues. Presented by The Nippon Foundation, the films share the common thread of presenting new and sometimes radical human perspectives in these shifting times. Highlights of the festival include Feeling Through (2019), also the world’s first film … Continue reading Film Fanatic: True Colors Film Festival 2021

SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Edwin, director of opening film ‘Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash’

Hot on the festival circuit and making waves as the first Indonesian film to win the prestigious Golden Leopard at the 74th Locarno Film Festival, Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash already came in with high expectations, even before its premiering as the opening film of the 32nd Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). And after watching it, there’s really no question why it’s been … Continue reading SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Edwin, director of opening film ‘Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash’

★★★★☆ Review: Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash dir. Edwin

Homage to 80s culture and entertainment laced with wicked sociopolitical commentary. We’re starting off this review by making one thing clear: this is a love story. But as its title suggests, Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash goes far above and beyond that. Drawing together elements as far flung as action, Western and even horror into this genre hodgepodge, this is a film that … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash dir. Edwin

SGIFF 2021: 32nd Singapore International Film Festival opens with Golden Leopard winning feature and commissioned Singapore short

The 32nd Singapore International Film Festival officially opened last night, with leading names in independent cinema gracing the red carpet at Shaw Theatres Lido, including award-winning Indonesian director Edwin whose critically acclaimed film ‘Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash’ made its Southeast Asian premiere. This was screened alongside the world premiere of the Festival’s commissioned short film ‘Dreaming’ by Singaporean director, Nelson Yeo. “It … Continue reading SGIFF 2021: 32nd Singapore International Film Festival opens with Golden Leopard winning feature and commissioned Singapore short

★★★★☆ Review: Karmalink dir. Jake Wachtel

Breaking away from the chain of destiny. Even in the modern age, where our eyes are fixated on the latest technological developments and always looking ahead, there are some traditions and beliefs that we just can’t leave behind in the past. For the highly religious nations in Southeast Asia, the Buddhist concepts of karma and reincarnation still remain at the back of its citizens’ minds, … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Karmalink dir. Jake Wachtel