After a two-year hiatus, Singapore’s largest and longest-running film extravaganza returns in December, featuring more than 100 features and shorts from 50 countries.
The organisers have confirmed that black comedy romp Unlucky Plaza will be the opening film for the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) 2014 when the the event kicks off on Dec. 4. The multi-character crime caper starring Adrian Pang, Judee Tan and Epy Quizon recently had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and will be the first local film to open for SGIFF.
The upcoming festival will be the 25th iteration since its launch in 1987. According to TODAY, the last run was criticised by festival-goers for being poorly organised, in addition to reports of financial troubles.
“The return of the Singapore International Film Festival in our 25th year is significant in so many ways, one of which is to celebrate how far we’ve come in Singapore cinema,” SGIFF Executive Director Yuni Hadi comments. “To open with Ken Kwek’s Unlucky Plaza marks SGIFF’s commitment to the Singapore film community and our wider role within the industry.”
Other notable films announced for the festival include Red Amnesia by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai, and From What Is Before by Filipino director Lav Diaz. This year’s Filmmaker In Focus is 36-year-old Ahmad Abdalla El Sayed Abdelkader, an Egyptian film director, editor and screenwriter who will screen his latest film Decor.
SGIFF takes place from Dec. 4 — 14; more information available on the official website and Facebook page.
Photo: Unlucky Plaza Facebook page, Singapore International Film Festival
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