Ilo Ilo is a story about a Singaporean family who hires a Filipino nanny. It is inspired by the director Anthony Chen’s recollection of his nanny of nine years, Terrie, so yes, there is an autobiographical component to the movie. The movie premiered at Cannes Film Festivals last May where it won the Camera d’Or award for best debut feature.
As Yolanda relief operations went on full swing last week, Anthony Chen, the upbeat 29-year-old Singaporean director of the movie, swung by Manila for the opening of Cinema One Originals Film Festival, of which Ilo Ilo is a part.
Here’s what a lot of people don’t know: A little after the lights went out in Robinsons Galleria Cinema 8, where the movie was screened, Chen left and headed to… Jollibee at the food court with Coconuts Manila. “There’s always a long line outside Jollibee in Singapore so I thought I’d try it here,” the director says, while munching on the famous Jollibee fried chicken.
After the required photo-op, to be shared on social media of course, there was nary a sign of Chen liking, or not liking Jollibee. We were in the middle of the interview when suddenly: “Can I have another one?” he asks the organizers who were his companions. He obviously liked it.
He answers our questions in between bites.
Is Ilo Ilo autobiographical?
Mmm, in some ways, yes.
So there is a real Terrie?
Yes.
Have you gotten in touch with her since? Has she seen the movie?
Yes, she attended a screening in Singapore. It’s weird seeing each other after so long, you know? It’s been 16 years since we last saw each other so of course, it’s weird. I was surprised to see she’s very small — about the same height as Anjeli Bayani [the actress who portrayed Terrie]. I’ve always thought she was big.
But that’s because you were small then so everything appears bigger. How did you find her?
Trust the Filipinos to find a long-lost someone for you, ha ha.
You’ve been touring the world for the movie. How is Manila different from all the other cities you’ve been to?
This isn’t my first time here in Manila. I’ve been here three times, for the casting of the movie, and all that. I will also return in December for the regular screening of the movie. But, hmm, one good thing about Manila is that you’ll never get hungry here. There’s so much food! This mall has how floors and in each floor there is a restaurant you can eat in! In Singapore, there’s usually just one floor in the entire mall, or the food court, where you can find food.
What’s been your favorite place so far?
I really liked Mongolia. I think Mongolia is my absolute favorite so far. You know, this is the first time they’ve ever had a film festival? It’s very interesting how the Mongolians are able to relate to foreign movies. They’re very interested in those.
And Filipinos. What can you say about the Filipinos?
Especially Filipino actors, they’re very melodramatic, you know? They’re like a faucet that you turn on and suddenly, they are crying their eyes out. They’re in character. And after, they can switch it off just as easily. You like your drama.
What is the one question you wish journalists would stop asking already?
If the movie was autobiographical.
Haha, guilty. And the weirdest question?
If my nanny really did shower me the way it was shown in the trailer. Yes, okay. It’s very easy to shower yourself but as a child I was really afraid to shower by myself.
Ilo Ilo hits local cinemas on Dec 4.
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