Photo: Anthony Chen; The New York Times / Tom Jamieson
Over the past year, the tiny island-state of Singapore has been bursting with pride, thanks to the international success and reception brought upon by local director’s Anthony Chen small-budget, but big-hearted debut Ilo Ilo.
Not only did the film set in troubled ’90s Singapore win the coveted Camera d’Or in the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, it also later scooped accolades at the BFI London Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, Golden Horse Awards and Mumbai Film Festival.
So what’s next for the new golden boy of Singapore’s film scene?
An article in The New York Times reveals he’s now based in London and is working on two projects.
“One is an adaptation of a British novel, a contemporary family drama that spans 40 years. The other is based on an original script he’s writing,” writes Chen May Yee.
In terms of working with Singapore as a launchpad and a subject, the Ngee Ann Polytechnic alumnus says he’s never felt restrictions on his creativity.
According to the article, Chen has never been interested in giving answers, only asking questions.
“The last thing I want is to come in a very bold, moralistic way and say this is right and this is wrong,” he said.
He also revealed that he wants Singaporean cinema to become a cultural force, the way Korean soap operas have influenced the world.
He wants to offer the viewers “the softer things in life”, saying people “need culture, the arts.”
“It can’t just all be material, material, material.”
As someone who’s made an impact on the generation with his work albeit in a very early stage in his career, Anthony Chen believes he can convince the government to do more for his fellow filmmakers.
“I’m in a very good place to voice certain things.”
Read the full article on The New York Times.
