First Look: 35th Singapore International Film Festival opens with Stranger Eyes by Singaporean director Yeo Siew Hua, honours Jafar Panahi with Cinema Honorary Award

SGIFF 2024 will open with acclaimed filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua’s psychological thriller Stranger Eyes — the first-ever Singaporean film to premiere in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival. The choice of Stranger Eyes as the festival opener underscores SGIFF’s dedication to presenting daring narratives and local cinema, while offering a timely reflection on the anxieties of an increasingly surveilled world. 

STRANGER EYES delves into the unravelling lives of Junyang and Peiying, a couple reeling from the disappearance of their child. The unsettling arrival of mysterious DVDs documenting their private moments plunges them into a psychological abyss, exposing the hidden resentments beneath their seemingly normal lives. The gripping tale sets the tone for SGIFF 2024, offering profound social commentary on society’s growing obsession with visibility and the fear of being constantly observed.

Director Yeo Siew Hua says, “SGIFF has been really important for me throughout my career as a filmmaker, having shown all my films here since my very first. It is a real honour for me to have my film open for this edition of the festival. I’m so excited to finally share the fruits of our hard work and the love of cinema with the audience here at home.”

SPIRIT WORLD, which stars leading French actress Catherine Deneuve alongside veteran actors Yutaka Takenouchi and Masaaki Sakai, is another highly-anticipated film that will screen at the festival. Directed by Eric Khoo, the film marks another first for Singapore cinema as the first-ever Singapore film to close the recent Busan International Film Festival. It follows legendary singer Claire Emery (Catherine Deneuve) as she crosses into a supernatural realm during her final concert in Tokyo. Guided by a devoted fan, Claire embarks on a journey that explores the intricacies of artistry and legacy, shedding light on the sacrifices of a life devoted to one’s art. Blending the supernatural with human experiences, the film dissolves the veils between the living and the dead. It will feature as the opening film for the festival’s Horizon section, which seeks to highlight the most exciting discoveries emerging from the international film festival circuit.

One of SGIFF’s core missions is to champion Singaporean cinema by providing them with a valuable platform to reach wider audiences and international acclaim, and this year’s edition continues that tradition. 

SGIFF 2024 presents a curated selection of Singaporean films and co-productions that embody the diverse range of voices and experiences emerging from the local film industry, while reflecting current issues and the complexities of modern life. Increasingly, they are also embracing a variety of genres — from familiar favourites like fantasy and horror to more experimental works — broadening their appeal to both domestic and international audiences.

Southeast Asia’s rich folklore gets a contemporary twist in ORANG IKAN, a historical drama-meets-monster film directed by Mike Wiluan that sees two stranded WWII prisoners from Britain and Japan forging an unlikely kinship as they team up to survive the unknown. Duong Dieu Linh’s DON’T CRY, BUTTERFLY, which won two awards at the Venice Film Festival, also deftly weaves together elements of feminist folklore, along with a touch of horror. The debut feature explores the unravelling of an older woman’s domestic life and her search for otherworldly solutions after she discovers her husband’s affair. DON’T CRY, BUTTERFLY will appear as the opening film for the Foreground section of the festival, where ORANG IKAN will also feature, alongside other films that playfully subvert genre conventions through innovative storytelling.

Films like CITY OF SMALL BLESSINGS, directed by Wong Chen-Hsi and based on the novel of the same name by local author Simon Tay, depict personal struggles against larger societal systems and what it means to belong in an ever-changing urban landscape — a familiar theme among local filmmakers. The film, which stars veteran icon Victor Banerjee opposite award-winning theatre actors Noorlinah Mohamed and Brendon Fernandez, tells the story of a retired civil servant in Singapore who fights desperately to save his home from demolition. 

Thong Kay Wee, Programme Director of SGIFF, says: “SGIFF has always taken great pride in showcasing Singaporean cinema, and in offering a platform for our local filmmakers to share their stories with both local and international audiences. This year’s selection of local films reflect the rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives that define our vibrant film industry, and we believe that they will resonate deeply with many within Singapore, and beyond.” 

Mike Wiluan, director of ORANG IKAN, says, “I am very honoured that ORANG IKAN has been selected by SGIFF for its Southeast Asian premiere. Thanks to the support of the Singapore Film Commission, I am proud to showcase the film on home ground.”

Duong Dieu Linh, director of DON’T CRY, BUTTERFLY, says, “As a Vietnamese who considers Singapore her second home and has built her entire filmmaking career while living here, I’m extremely proud and happy to share DON’T CRY, BUTTERFLY with my friends and colleagues. With the film’s premiere in Singapore, I feel as if I have gone a full circle and my heart is filled with gratitude.”

To further support Singaporean films, SGIFF will introduce a revamped Audience Choice Award this year. Previously open to all films in the festival programme, the award will now be open to Singaporean films and co-productions only, with the winner determined entirely by audience vote. Through this award, local filmmakers will enjoy increased visibility for their films, potentially boosting their chances of securing local distribution deals and expanding their reach to broader audiences beyond the festival.

In another first, SGIFF is excited to welcome Mediacorp Artiste Rebecca Lim as its inaugural festival ambassador. A prominent figure in local television, Lim will play a pivotal role in SGIFF’s efforts to invite a wider audience to discover the festival’s eclectic programme of Asian and international cinema. 

Rebecca Lim says: “As a huge supporter of Singaporean films, I’m thrilled to be part of SGIFF as its inaugural ambassador. Our local creatives possess a unique ability to capture the essence of not just our everyday reality, but also our dreams and aspirations. I’m honoured to be a part of SGIFF and to champion the incredible talents, and I encourage all Singaporeans to join me in supporting their work as well.” 

Jeremy Chua, General Manager of SGIFF, says: “At SGIFF, our commitment to championing groundbreaking Southeast Asian cinema keeps us deeply connected to the local film and media industry. We’re excited to welcome Rebecca, a prominent figure who embodies the modern actor who seamlessly traverses between the silver screen and television. We envision her role as the festival’s ambassador to deepen the conversation between local and international audiences, and together we aim to shine a spotlight on our extraordinary homegrown talents.”

The Cinema Honorary Award has stood as SGIFF’s highest accolade since its introduction in 2014, recognising filmmakers who have made exceptional and enduring contributions to Asian cinema. The prestigious award has previously honoured visionary directors such as Hong Kong’s Fruit Chan, Indonesia’s Garin Nugroho, Cambodia’s Rithy Panh, and Japan’s Takashi Miike. In this year’s 35th edition of SGIFF, the festival is proud to present the award to celebrated Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.

Known for his fearless storytelling, incisive critiques of societal structures, and his humanistic yet formally inventive style, Panahi will attend SGIFF in person for the first time since the recent lifting of his 14-year travel ban. Previously, he was awarded the Best Director and Special Jury award at the 11th edition of SGIFF in 1998. 

Panahi will also appear in an exclusive dialogue session, where he will reflect on his personal experiences, the challenges he has faced, and the enduring power of cinema as a tool for social change. His acclaimed film The Circle, which premiered locally at SGIFF in 2001, will be showcased once more this year alongside a special screening of several double bills featuring his earlier works, such as This Is Not A Film and Crimson Gold, and his lesser-seen short films (The Accordion, Hidden, and Where Are You, Jafar Panahi?). The Circle explores the intersecting lives of Iranian women navigating the harsh realities of a system that suppresses female autonomy, while navigating the unforgiving structures of law and tradition. 

Thong Kay Wee, Programme Director of SGIFF, says: “Jafar Panahi and his body of work stands as a testament to how cinema can serve as a powerful tool for personal, political and artistic freedom, even when it is created in unfree conditions. His films not only illuminate stories of resistance and change, but also embody boundless creativity and a fiercely independent spirit, pushing the boundaries of what cinema can achieve. We are honoured to celebrate his remarkable contributions to Asian cinema, and are excited to finally welcome him back to SGIFF after more than two decades.”

Director Jafar Panahi says, “It’s an incredible honour to be selected as the recipient of the Cinema Honorary Award by SGIFF. Since my visit to the festival in 1998 with my film, THE MIRROR, I have been deeply impressed by the festival’s achievements in nurturing and encouraging emerging filmmakers and film critics, while promoting Asian filmmaking. I’m immensely thankful for the recognition, and I look forward to witnessing the next steps in SGIFF’s remarkable journey.”

SGIFF 2024 will unveil its full programme lineup, as well as ticketing information, from 28 October.

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