For the first time ever in Vietnam, the Singapore Film Society in collaboration with RICE & Partners, will hold the Singapore Film Festival 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The festival will stretch from November 1 to 4, and will showcase four films by leading Singaporean directors at CGV Vincom Đồng Khởi, as well hosting a panel discussion with directors Boo Junfeng, Tan Pin Pin and Hàm Trần at The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre.

7 Letters

7 Letters (2015) is a collaborative work between seven of Singapore’s most prolific and illustrious directors; Boo Junfeng, Eric Khoo, K Rajagopal, Jack Neo, Tan Pin Pin, Royston Tan, and Kelvin Tong. Each of the seven short films act as a love letter from the director to Singapore, displaying the unique and varied connections they have with their homeland. Viewed as one, the films form an emotive, heartfelt and often comedic anthology; exploring themes of friendship, romantic and familial love, identity, multiculturalism, ritualistic tradition and change.

Released in 2015, 7 Letters was a fitting, multicultural celebration of Singapore’s 50^th year of independence, and a sincere attempt at showcasing the depth and breadth of human experience in Singapore.

Apprentice

Apprentice is a 2016 Singaporean drama film directed by Boo Junfeng. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. It was selected as the Singaporean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89^th Academy Awards but it was not nominated.

The film focuses on a young prisons officer meeting an older colleague, who is revealed to be the chief executioner. As their relationship intensifies, their backstories are revealed throughout the course of the film. It also touches on the death penalty from an executioner's point of view.

3688

3688 (2015) is a colourful, vivacious musical comedy from director Royston Tan, which follows a well-loved parking attendant in her quest to realise her passion for singing, and support her sick and aged father. The film sensitively deals with themes of loss, dependance, familial duty and self-expression while remaining funny and light-hearted throughout. The Singapore of 3688 is kitsch but instantly recognisable, and it provides a richness of tone which can’t help but draw you in.

3688 is the fifth feature film from award-winning Singaporean director Royston Tan and was nominated for the Grand Prix at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in 2016.

Ramen Teh

Ramen Teh (2018) is a thoughtful, sentimental drama from director Eric Khoo. Telling the story of a part-Japanese, part-Singaporean ramen chef, the film anchors itself in a culinary context, using food as a vehicle by which to explore deeper themes of kinship, ancestry, identity, memory and multiculturalism. After the death of his father, and the discovery of items which once belonged to his long-deceased mother, protagonist Masato follows his instincts back to Singapore, in a touching journey of self-realization.

Award-winning director Eric Khoo is a seminal Singaporean filmmaker, whose prolific career has spanned several decades and contributed greatly to the revival of the film industry in Singapore.

Schedule:

– Thurs Nov 1 @ 6:30 pm: Opening night & Screening: ‘7 Letters’ with special guests Boo Junfeng and Tan Pin Pin

– Fri Nov 2 @ 7:30 pm: Screening: ‘Apprentice’

– Sat Nov 3 @ 2 pm: Panel Discussion at The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre with special guests Boo Junfeng, Tan Pin Pin and Ham Tran

– Sat Nov 3 @ 7:30 pm: Screening: ‘3688’

– Sun Nov 4 – 7:30 pm: Closing night & Screening: ‘Ramen Teh’

All of the events are free and attendance can be registered here.

VNF