From Crazy Rich Asians (2018) to 12 Storeys (1997) to Sumpah Pontianak (The Curse of Pontianak) (1957), Singapore’s film industry is a diverse one and its evolution is nothing short of colourful. Recollecting Singapore’s famed studios in the 1950s to uncovering new waves of filmmakers in 90s and into today’s digital revolution, Singapore Cinema: Between Takes provides an insight into the rich history, and culture of Singapore films and its industry through candid reflections of filmmakers and content creators.
A Pontianak, the vengeful spirit of a woman who died during childbirth, is awakened when a foreman and a construction worker attempt to bury the body of a dead girl instead of burning her. A series of unfortunate events begin to occur at the construction site.
Boo Junfeng is one of Singapore’s notable young film-makers. His short films, as well as his segment in the omnibus feature film, LUCKY7, have won him acclaim at numerous film festivals, including Berlin International Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam and Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. His debut feature film SANDCASTLE premiered in-competition at Cannes Film Festival’s International Critics’ Week in 2010, and was subsequently invited to film festivals around the world, including Toronto, Pusan, Vancouver and London. Produced by Eric Khoo’s Zhao Wei Films and distributed by Fortissimo Films, SANDCASTLE won the Best Film, Best Director and the NETPAC Jury Award at the Vietnam International Film Festival, and was listed by The Wall Street Journal as one of Asia’s most notable films of 2010. Trained in film schools in Singapore and Spain, his works often centre on themes of identity, memory and sexuality.