SGIFF 2015: 5 Must-watch films to catch at the film festival

Singapore International Film Festival 2015: 5 Films you can't afford to miss

Amanda Lim

23 Oct 2015

1/5
Panay
This year’s opening film highlights the current predicament of land rights for the indigenous tribes of Taiwan. Directed by Cheng Yu-Chieh and Lekal Sumi, the screening will be the film's international premiere.
2/5
Cemetery of Splendour
Cemetery of Splendour follows the spread of an incurable sleeping sickness in a country hospital. Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul treads the fine line between dreams and reality in this haunting film.
3/5
In The Room
The much-anticipated erotic film by Eric Khoo will be premiering at SGIFF. The film tells seven stories of the guests that have stayed at the aging Hotel Singapura.
4/5
Singapore Minstrel
In Ng Xi Jie’s debut feature film, the director offers audiences a glimpse into the Singaporean busking scene. The documentary follows Roy Payamal as it explores the art and everyday life of local buskers.
5/5
Thin Yellow Line
One of the features screening during the Spotlight on Mexican Cinema section is The Thin Yellow Line by Celso Garcia. The film follow a motley crew of characters that attempt to finish painting a line across a 217-kilometre highway in 15 days.

The longest-running film festival returns again following the success of last year’s comeback.

The 26^th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) returns this November with a showcase of 146 feature and short films from 51 countries. On top of film screenings, the longest-running Southeast Asian film festival will also include public programmes.

The brilliant line up includes the opening film Panay, which tells the tale of Taiwan’s indigenous community, and Cemetery of Splendour, a film that juxtaposes the violence in Thailand with the quirky activities of an elderly woman.

Acclaimed local director Eric Khoo will also be premiering his highly anticipated erotic drama In the Room in the Special Presentation segment of the festival. Khoo’s first feature Mee Pok Man will also be screened as a classic movie, along with Bugis Street Redux by Yonfan.

These films are not the only Singaporean films to be featured during the festival. The first feature film of Ng Xi Jie’s Singapore Minstrel will be premiering as well. The film offers a glimpse into Singapore’s busking scene through the eyes of local busker Roy Payamal.

SGIFF will also introduce the inaugural Audience Choice Award, allowing members of the audiences to vote for their favourite films. The winning film will be announced on 5 December at during the Silver Screen Awards and will be re-screened on the last day of the festival.

“The core of a film festival is the community. It is timely that we now also take on the role of a facilitator in encouraging our film-loving audience to play a more active role in their festival experience,” said SGIFF Executive Director, Yuni Hadi, “We look forward to a more diverse voice… to bring SGIFF and its independent spirit forward.”

Amanda Lim

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