Latest news with #AnthonyChen
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fan Bingbing Stars in Magic-Realist Short ‘Small, Sharp & Green' for Anthony Chen's Giraffe Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)
Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing has wrapped production on Giraffe Pictures' magic-realist short film 'Small, Sharp & Green' (working title). Giraffe Pictures completed production on Anthony Chen's upcoming feature 'We Are All Strangers' two months prior. More from Variety Vertical Acquires U.S. Rights to Jonathan Hensleigh's Action Thriller 'Ice Road: Vengeance' (EXCLUSIVE) Cannes Caméra d'Or Winner Anthony Chen Begins Production on 'We Are All Strangers,' Completing His 'Growing Up' Trilogy (EXCLUSIVE) Fan Bingbing Starrer 'Mother Bhumi' Nabbed by Rediance Ahead of Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE) Written and directed by Singaporean filmmaker Ivan Tan, the contemporary tale explores profound questions of memory, truth, and the indomitable spirit of a woman. The film was shot in Malaysia with cinematography by DP Kartik Vijay, whose credits include 'Abang Adik,' 'Yen and Ai-Lee,' and 'The Garden of Evening Mists.' Tan, who trained at the National Film and Television School in the U.K., previously won the jury prize at the Locarno Film Festival for his short film 'Tadpoles.' His subsequent shorts 'A Bed Without A Quilt' and 'Another Day, Another Time' competed at the Singapore International Film Festival and La Cabina Medium Film Festival, respectively. The cast also features Chinese actor Zhang Yu ('An Elephant Sitting Still,' 'Dying to Survive'), Chinese filmmaker and actor Liang Ming ('Wisdom Tooth,' 'Carefree Days,' 'An Unfinished Film'), and Malaysian actor Pete Teo ('Barbarian Invasion,' 'A Family Tour'). 'Small, Sharp & Green' is produced by Chen and Teoh Yi Peng through Giraffe Pictures, with support from the Singapore Film Commission. Chen became the first Singaporean to be awarded at Cannes with his 2007 short film 'Ah Ma.' His debut feature 'Ilo Ilo' (2013) won the Caméra d'Or at Cannes and 40 awards internationally, including four Golden Horse Awards. His recent credits include 'The Breaking Ice,' which premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes, and 'Drift,' starring Cynthia Erivo, which premiered at Sundance in 2023. As a producer, Giraffe Pictures has backed films including Kirsten Tan's Sundance winner 'Pop Aye' (2017), He Shuming's Busan title 'Ajoomma' (2022), Thai director Sorayos Prapapan's Locarno film 'Arnold Is a Model Student' (2022), Neo Sora's Cannes title 'Happyend' (2024), and Indonesian filmmaker Tumpal Tampubolon's Toronto film 'Crocodile Tears' (2024). Founded by Chen and producer Huang Wenhong, Giraffe Pictures positions itself as a home for emerging Asian filmmakers, focusing on cinematic creativity and vision while telling unique Asian stories for global audiences. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cannes Caméra d'Or Winner Anthony Chen Begins Production on ‘We Are All Strangers,' Completing His ‘Growing Up' Trilogy (EXCLUSIVE)
Exactly 12 years after winning the Caméra d'Or at Cannes with his debut feature 'Ilo Ilo,' Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen has begun production on 'We Are All Strangers,' the third and final film in his acclaimed 'Growing Up' trilogy. The project reunites Chen with actors Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler, who starred in both previous installments of the trilogy, 2013's 'Ilo Ilo' and 2019's 'Wet Season.' Set in contemporary Singapore and spanning two and a half years, the film is Chen's most ambitious work yet – an epic story capturing intimate moments of love, life, and coming of age in the city-state. More from Variety Twin Directors Tarzan and Arab Nasser on Spaghetti Western 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza': 'With What Is Happening, the Title Is Even More Appropriate' Kirill Serebrennikov on Cannes Premiere 'The Disappearance of Josef Mengele,' a Portrait of Fugitive Nazi Doctor Venice Prizewinner Valentyn Vasyanovych, Rising Talent Antonio Lukich Headline Cannes Slate From Ukraine's ForeFilms (EXCLUSIVE) 'I filmed Jia Ler at 11 and then again at 17, so it felt like a natural step to capture him approaching adulthood,' Chen said of his continuing collaboration with the young actor. The director explained his thematic focus: 'I have always been fascinated by the bonds and intimate connections struck between strangers and how kinship can develop beyond blood ties. The idea of constructed families is a theme I have explored in both of my films. In 'Ilo Ilo,' it was between the Filipino maid and the young Singaporean boy she cares for, while in 'Wet Season,' a teacher and her student form a family unit with her half-paralysed father-in-law. This time, strangers are forced to become family.' Yeo, who won Golden Horse Awards for her performances in both previous films (best supporting actress for 'Ilo Ilo' and best actress for 'Wet Season'), recently appeared in the Netflix action film 'Havoc' alongside Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker. Koh has earned two Golden Horse nominations for his work in Chen's earlier films. 'We Are All Strangers' is produced by Chen and Teoh Yi Peng through their Singapore-based production company Giraffe Pictures, with backing from the Singapore Film Commission and the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund. Principal photography is currently underway in Singapore and scheduled to complete by the end of May. Chen has built a varied résumé since his breakthrough. Following 'Ilo Ilo' and 'Wet Season' (both of which represented Singapore as official submissions for the Academy Awards), he made his English-language debut with 'Drift,' starring Cynthia Erivo, which premiered at Sundance in 2023. That same year, his first Chinese-language feature 'The Breaking Ice' premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes and became Singapore's Oscar submission. As a producer through his Giraffe Pictures banner, Chen has nurtured other Asian filmmakers' work, including Kirsten Tan's Sundance winner 'Pop Aye' (2017), He Shuming's 'Ajoomma' (2022), Sorayos Prapapan's 'Arnold Is a Model Student' (2022), Neo Sora's 'Happyend' (2024), and Tumpal Tampubolon's 'Crocodile Tears' (2024). Giraffe Pictures, co-founded by Chen and producer Huang Wenhong, positions itself as 'a home for emerging filmmakers in Asia' with the goal of becoming 'an international label for the best of Asian cinema, focusing on cinematic creativity and vision, telling unique Asian stories that will resonate with a global audience.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cannes Caméra d'Or Winner Anthony Chen Begins Production on ‘We Are All Strangers,' Completing His ‘Growing Up' Trilogy (EXCLUSIVE)
Exactly 12 years after winning the Caméra d'Or at Cannes with his debut feature 'Ilo Ilo,' Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen has begun production on 'We Are All Strangers,' the third and final film in his acclaimed 'Growing Up' trilogy. The project reunites Chen with actors Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler, who starred in both previous installments of the trilogy, 2013's 'Ilo Ilo' and 2019's 'Wet Season.' Set in contemporary Singapore and spanning two and a half years, the film is Chen's most ambitious work yet – an epic story capturing intimate moments of love, life, and coming of age in the city-state. More from Variety Twin Directors Tarzan and Arab Nasser on Spaghetti Western 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza': 'With What Is Happening, the Title Is Even More Appropriate' Kirill Serebrennikov on Cannes Premiere 'The Disappearance of Josef Mengele,' a Portrait of Fugitive Nazi Doctor Venice Prizewinner Valentyn Vasyanovych, Rising Talent Antonio Lukich Headline Cannes Slate From Ukraine's ForeFilms (EXCLUSIVE) 'I filmed Jia Ler at 11 and then again at 17, so it felt like a natural step to capture him approaching adulthood,' Chen said of his continuing collaboration with the young actor. The director explained his thematic focus: 'I have always been fascinated by the bonds and intimate connections struck between strangers and how kinship can develop beyond blood ties. The idea of constructed families is a theme I have explored in both of my films. In 'Ilo Ilo,' it was between the Filipino maid and the young Singaporean boy she cares for, while in 'Wet Season,' a teacher and her student form a family unit with her half-paralysed father-in-law. This time, strangers are forced to become family.' Yeo, who won Golden Horse Awards for her performances in both previous films (best supporting actress for 'Ilo Ilo' and best actress for 'Wet Season'), recently appeared in the Netflix action film 'Havoc' alongside Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker. Koh has earned two Golden Horse nominations for his work in Chen's earlier films. 'We Are All Strangers' is produced by Chen and Teoh Yi Peng through their Singapore-based production company Giraffe Pictures, with backing from the Singapore Film Commission and the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund. Principal photography is currently underway in Singapore and scheduled to complete by the end of May. Chen has built a varied résumé since his breakthrough. Following 'Ilo Ilo' and 'Wet Season' (both of which represented Singapore as official submissions for the Academy Awards), he made his English-language debut with 'Drift,' starring Cynthia Erivo, which premiered at Sundance in 2023. That same year, his first Chinese-language feature 'The Breaking Ice' premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes and became Singapore's Oscar submission. As a producer through his Giraffe Pictures banner, Chen has nurtured other Asian filmmakers' work, including Kirsten Tan's Sundance winner 'Pop Aye' (2017), He Shuming's 'Ajoomma' (2022), Sorayos Prapapan's 'Arnold Is a Model Student' (2022), Neo Sora's 'Happyend' (2024), and Tumpal Tampubolon's 'Crocodile Tears' (2024). Giraffe Pictures, co-founded by Chen and producer Huang Wenhong, positions itself as 'a home for emerging filmmakers in Asia' with the goal of becoming 'an international label for the best of Asian cinema, focusing on cinematic creativity and vision, telling unique Asian stories that will resonate with a global audience.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
