★★★★☆ Review: Broker 브로커 dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda

Societal misfits find a sense of belonging in this tender Korean drama by Kore-eda. Over the years, the road trip movie has been done numerous times, across nationalities, age, and genre. But one thing that has always remained a constant is how by the end of the journey, the ones who’ve traversed countless obstacles, encountered one event after another, and so much distance together, come … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Broker 브로커 dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda

★★★★☆ Review: project SALOME by Ong Keng Sen / T:>works (SIFA 2022)

Unpacking and reimagining the complexities of Salome through a modern lens. Princess of Judea, villainous exotic dancer, or vengeful femme fatale? The historical figure of Salome’s claim to fame lies in her request to see the head of John the Baptist as reward for performing a dance for her step-father. But one thing that is never made clear is her intentions for doing so, with … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: project SALOME by Ong Keng Sen / T:>works (SIFA 2022)

★★★★☆ Review: Only Bones by Kallo Collective

Dancing to the beat of the body. Kallo Collective’s Only Bones has a deceptively simple set-up – onstage there is only performer Thom Monckton, limited to a small red circle lit by a single bulb. But by sheer virtue of a boundless imagination and complete control over the body, Only Bones ends up as a wildly entertaining fringe show that exemplifies a class act in … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Only Bones by Kallo Collective

★★★☆☆ Review: Devil’s Cherry by Kaylene Tan and Paul Rae (SIFA 2022)

The outback becomes both nightmare and dreamscape for a couple running from their own problems. The name ‘devil’s cherry’ brings to mind a great many things – ideas of temptation, of evil, and perhaps, the loss of innocence. The moniker itself is an alternative to its more common name ‘deadly nightshade’, a poisonous plant and invasive species to Australia, bearing black, cherry-like fruit. Just a … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Devil’s Cherry by Kaylene Tan and Paul Rae (SIFA 2022)

★★★★★ Review: Bangsawan Gemala Malam by Teater Ekamatra (SIFA 2022)

Shakespeare’s classic comedy lends itself perfectly to the bangsawan form. In Malay culture, the bangsawan is a traditional opera form performed by theatre troupes, regaling its audiences with epic tales, its scenes both melodramatic and comedic, punctuated by song and dance. While no longer as common in modern day Singapore, the form has found new life during the 2022 Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Bangsawan Gemala Malam by Teater Ekamatra (SIFA 2022)

★★★★☆ Review: Sylvia by Pachyderm Theatre

Man’s best friend counters the dog days of life. How much do we love our pets? For one man, it might just be a relationship that’s unnervingly close to a romance, much to the chagrin of his wife. Written by A.R. Gurney and directed by Pavan J. Singh, Sylvia is a modern romantic comedy that follows middle-aged ‘empty-nesters’ Greg and Kate (Sean Worrall and Susie … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Sylvia by Pachyderm Theatre

Review: Delicate Spells of Mind by Lucy McRae (SIFA 2022)

Unveiling the mysteries of the inner mind. If you could look into your mind, what would you see? In her short film Delicate Spells of Mind, British-born, Australian science fiction artist Lucy McRae imagines the inner workings of the human mind as anthropomorphised creatures working as part of an operating system, and invites you to take a closer look. Commissioned for the 2022 Singapore International … Continue reading Review: Delicate Spells of Mind by Lucy McRae (SIFA 2022)

★★☆☆☆ Review: The Neon Hieroglyph by Tai Shani (SIFA 2022)

Chill out and open your mind to new possibilities in this trippy film. In a world that’s constantly teetering on the edge of insanity and chaos, the more hopeless the situation seems, the more it pushes our imagination towards increasingly radical solutions to overcome it. For Turner Prize-winning British artist Tai Shani, that solution comes in the form of witches, hallucinogens, and communism. This is … Continue reading ★★☆☆☆ Review: The Neon Hieroglyph by Tai Shani (SIFA 2022)

★★★★☆ Review: Kepaten Obor – Igniting A Withered Torch (Pesta Raya 2022)

Carrying on her grandmother’s torch. There’s a long-held belief that in growing up, there are certain elements of our personality that will always remain the same. For Suhaili Safari, it seems that she was always destined to be an artist, so rooted in her that it’s practically passed down through her bloodline. In Kepaten Obor, Suhaili not only gets to tell a deeply personal and … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Kepaten Obor – Igniting A Withered Torch (Pesta Raya 2022)

★★★★☆ Review: Ceremonial Enactments by MAX.TAN, Nadi Singapura and Bhaskar’s Arts Academy (SIFA 2022)

Drawing power from tradition and ceremony to herald the start of SIFA 2022. Because of their historical and cultural significance, a ritual is often a powerful, sacred act of performance. At times celebratory, and at others a form of salvation, rituals form the heart of the 2022 Singapore International Festival of Arts, and are explicitly given the spotlight in Ceremonial Enactments, drawing strength from movement, … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Ceremonial Enactments by MAX.TAN, Nadi Singapura and Bhaskar’s Arts Academy (SIFA 2022)