As a seasoned movie critic who has spent years traversing the globe in search of cinematic gems, I must say that the 35th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) promises to be an absolute treat for film enthusiasts worldwide. The festival’s decision to honor the legendary Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi with the Cinema Honorary Award is a testament to his exceptional contributions to Asian cinema and a significant milestone in the festival’s rich history.
Famous Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who has been under a travel restriction for 14 years, will make his appearance at the 35th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). This year’s festival highlights emerging Singaporean artists and globally recognized directors.
The opening event for the festival will feature “Stranger Eyes,” the inaugural Singaporean film shown in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival, directed by Yeo Siew Hua.
Filmmaker Jafar Panahi is set to receive the festival’s Honorary Cinema Award, celebrating artists who have made significant and lasting contributions to Asian cinema. He will take part in an exclusive conversation session. Various of his movies, such as “The Circle” and “This Is Not a Film,” will be shown during the event.
Jubilantly accepting the Cinema Honorary Award from SGIFF, Panahi expressed his gratitude. Since his first visit to the festival in 1998 with ‘The Mirror,’ he’s been consistently amazed by its dedication to fostering new talent in filmmaking and criticism, as well as championing Asian cinema.
The festival is introducing fresh ideas under the guidance of Jeremy Chua, the newly appointed general manager. Highlights of these changes include the premiere of Mediacorp Artiste Rebecca Lim as the first ever festival ambassador, and a redesigned Audience Choice Award that now welcomes submissions from Singaporean films and co-productions.
Being a passionate advocate for Singaporean cinema, it’s an exciting honor to represent SGIFF as its first ambassador,” Lim expressed. “Our homegrown artists have a remarkable talent for portraying not only the authenticity of our daily lives, but also the dreams and hopes that resonate within us.
Chua, who frequently contributes to the film industry with movies that are often showcased at premier festivals like Cannes, stated: “We imagine her position as the festival’s representative will foster dialogue between local and global spectators. Our goal is to highlight the remarkable homegrown talents by casting a bright light on them.
The festival showcases more than 30 Singaporean and locally produced movies, including features and shorts. Some standout films include “Spirit World” directed by Eric Khoo, with Catherine Deneuve in the lead role, which is set to close the Busan International Film Festival. Other notable films are “Orang Ikan” by Mike Wiluan, “Don’t Cry, Butterfly” by Duong Dieu Linh, and “City of Small Blessings” by Wong Chen-Hsi.
Wiluan expressed his gratitude: “It’s an immense privilege for ‘Orang Ikan’ to be chosen for its Southeast Asian debut by SGIFF. I am thrilled to present this film in Singapore, where it all began, thanks to the backing of the Singapore Film Commission.
Linh expressed: “Being a Vietnamese who feels deeply connected to Singapore as if it were my second home, having established my whole filmmaking journey here, I’m incredibly pleased and joyful to present ‘Don’t Cry, Butterfly’ to my friends and associates.
As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to kick off the screening with “Stranger Eyes,” a movie that delves into the lives of a tormented couple, who are left reeling after their child goes missing and find themselves confronted by disquieting DVDs capturing intimate moments from their past. For me, as a filmmaker, it’s been an immense privilege to have all my films showcased at SGIFF, starting with my very first, making this year’s festival opening a truly special moment in my professional journey.
The updated Audience Choice Award is now specifically designed for Singaporean movies and collaborative productions with Singapore. This change aims to enhance the exposure of local filmmakers and possibly improve their opportunities to secure distribution within Singapore.
Thong Kay Wee, the director of SGIFF, emphasized the festival’s dedication to homegrown cinema: “For years, we at SGIFF have felt a strong sense of pride in presenting Singaporean movies. Our goal is to provide a stage for our local filmmakers to express their unique stories to both domestic and global viewers. This year’s lineup of local films showcases the diverse range of experiences and viewpoints that make our dynamic film industry so special.
You’ll be able to check out the complete schedule for the festival starting on October 28, as it takes place from November 28 to December 8.
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2024-10-03 06:47