Stranger Eyes by Singaporean filmmaker Chris Yeo Siew Hua up for Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion prize
Stranger Eyes is one of the two Singapore-associated films that will be competing at this year's Venice Film Festival – the other being Don’t Cry Butterfly which was produced by Singapore-based film and TV company Momo Film Co.
Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng (left) and director Chris Yeo Siew Hua preparing for a scene in Stranger Eyes. (Photo: Akanga Film Asia)
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Singapore is set to make a mark at this year's Venice Film Festival. Two Singapore-associated films are up for awards at the prestigious (and oldest) film festival.
The first is Stranger Eyes. Directed by award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Chris Yeo Siew Hua, the thriller makes history as the first-ever Singapore film to be up for the Golden Lion – the highest honour given to a film at the Venice Film Festival.
Past recipients include 2005's Brokeback Mountain, 2007's Lust, Caution and 2023's Poor Things.
This year, Stranger Eyes will be competing against Todd Phillips' Joker: Folie A Deux, Halina Reijn's Babygirl and other acclaimed movies from all over the world.
Stranger Eyes' director Chris Yeo Siew Hua had previously directed A Land Imagined – another film that boosted Singapore's profile in the global film scene. The 2018 film clinched the top prize at the 71st Locarno Film Festival, and won best original score and best original screenplay at the 56th Golden Horse Awards.
Speaking to CNA Lifestyle, Yeo said that he "was surprised, overjoyed, proud and humbled all at the same time" upon hearing the news of Stranger Eyes' nomination.
He added: "To be in the same competition with all these great films at the Venice Film Festival is a real honour. Of course, ultimately what I hope from all this is for the film to reach its audience, those who will love her and find a place in their hearts for her. After all, that is why I make films, and will continue to do so."
The second Singapore-associated film competing at this year's Venice Film Festival is Don't Cry Butterfly, produced by Singapore-based film and TV company Momo Film Co. Directed by Vietnamese filmmaker Duong Dieu Linh, Don't Cry Butterfly centres around a housewife who resorts to voodoo to win back her cheating husband.
The film will be competing in the Venice Critic’s Week – an independent section dedicated to showcasing debut films from new and emerging directors.
The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival runs from Aug 28 to Sep 7.
Both Stranger Eyes and Don’t Cry Butterfly have received support from the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) through grants under the Media Talent Progression Programme.
In a press statement, IMDA's assistant chief executive of media, innovation, communications and marketing Justin Ang said: "The success of Stranger Eyes and Don’t Cry Butterfly at the Venice Film Festival 2024 is a continuation of our film industry’s growing success in major film festivals around the world. This recognition will elevate the international visibility of Singaporean films and serve as an inspiration to all our aspiring filmmakers. We take immense pride in the exceptional film talents in Singapore, who have demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level."
