Standpoint
In Standpoint, the personal and the sociopolitical are intertwined in profoundly compelling ways. The 10 films in this section plunge headfirst into today’s most hotly debated issues alongside stories of deeply personal struggles, fearlessly confronting these topics through uncompromising lens.
Emotionally potent and stylistically diverse, these films are bound to ignite lively post-show discussions and inspire new perspectives.
Opening Film
29 Nov, Fri 6:30PM / 103 min / PG / Golden Village Cineleisure, Hall 2
Until the Orchid Blooms
Neang, an indigenous mother in Cambodia, fights to rebuild her life on her ancestral land after it is flooded by a dam reservoir.
Polen Ly / France, Cambodia / 2024 / 103 min / PG / Asian Premiere
Feature Films
After the Snowmelt
A young filmmaker documents her pilgrimage to the last location of her late best friend in this letter of love and grief.
Lo Yi-Shan / Taiwan, Japan / 2024 / 110 min / NC16 (Some Mature Content) / Southeast Asian Premiere
All Shall Be Well
In Hong Kong, a woman mourning the sudden passing of her lifelong partner navigates grief that unfolds in queer time.
Ray Yeung / Hong Kong / 2024 / 93 min / R21 (Homosexual Content) / Singapore Premiere
Antidote
Journalists and activists working to expose Russia’s poison programme are placed on a kill list in this high-stakes documentary.
James Jones / UK / 2024 / 90 min / NC16 (Mature Theme) / Asian Premiere
At Averroes & Rosa Parks
A moving, empathetic documentary on psychiatric care and the inner worlds of patients.
Nicolas Philibert / France / 2024 / 143 min / PG13 (Some Coarse Language) / Southeast Asian Premiere
No Other Land
Two young men, one Palestinian and one Israeli, are unlikely allies documenting forced displacement in the West Bank together.
Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor / Palestine, Norway / 2024 / 96 min / R21 (Mature Content) / Singapore Premiere
Xoftex
A young, amateur filmmaker documents the protracted and increasingly surreal limbo of refugees awaiting asylum.
Noaz Deshe / Germany, France / 2024 / 99 min / NC16 (Some Coarse Language) / Asian Premiere
Youth (Hard Times)
A vivid portrayal of the working youth in contemporary China, and a requiem for those who toil in the shadows to keep the market running.
Wang Bing / France, Luxembourg, Netherlands / 2024 / 226 min / NC16 (Some Coarse Language) / Southeast Asian Premiere
Double Bill
7 Dec, Sat 7:30PM / 110 min / R21 (Mature Content) / Filmgarde Kallang, Hall 3
A Stone’s Throw
A moving depiction of Palestinian elder Amine’s multiple displacements in the context of broader geopolitical histories.
Razan AlSalah / Palestine, Lebanon, Canada / 2024 / 40 min / M18 (Some Mature Content) / Asian Premiere
Al Awda
Activists on the boat Al Awda prepare for clashes with the Israeli military as they sail towards Gaza in an attempt to break the blockade.
Jason Soo / Singapore / 2024 / 70 min / R21 (Mature Content) / World Premiere