If digital and animated films are not your cup of tea, you need not worry. This year’s festival covers a diverse spectrum of genres. Converging over 390 films from across the globe, featuring films from countries across Asia (China, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka) to USA, France, Canada, Germany, to name a few. Genres range from art house films to the short films from the Singapore Short Shorts, the local version of the American Short Shorts.

Kandahar, 2001, Director: Mohsen Makmalbaf

The film festival starts off with Iranian film “Kandahar” (2001). A film that blurs the boundaries of genres, blending fiction and documentation into a tale of conflict where an Afghan-born journalist after fleeing to Canada, receives news years later of her sister’s plans to attempt suicide. Facing dilemmas of returning to where she had fled. Kandahar challenges social rules, projecting more than just social stigma.

Talking Cock The Movie, 2002, Directors: Colin Goh, Woo Yen Yen

Local movie “Talking Cock The Movie” (2002), a spin-off of the popular local website sees the portrayal of Singaporeans in a humorous manner. Plots include loansharks (illegal moneylenders) going online to the local Ah Beng (wannabes) at the coffee shop. The movie is all about fun. Locally produced, Talking Cock sees locals poking fun at themselves.

The boundaries of film have been widened with the use of digital technology and low costs. Budding directors have no excuse to produce that envision. Nor is there an excuse for you to not partake in the film festival. It is after all just a click away.

15th Singapore International Film Festival
Date: April 11th – 27th, 2002
Place: Prince 1 Cinema
Address: #03-00 Shaw Towers, 100 Beach Road, Singapore 189702
Tel: +65 6296 2929
filmfest@pacific.net.sg
https://filmfest.asia-online.com.sg