Anthony Chen, the renowned Singaporean filmmaker, is gearing up for a pivotal role at the Shanghai International Film Festival as the president of the Asian New Talent jury. With a packed schedule and a recent string of international festival appearances, Chen is poised to make an impact once again. His latest film, 'We Are All Strangers', a layered family drama, is the culmination of his 'Growing Up' trilogy, following the acclaimed 'Ilo Ilo' and 'Wet Season'.
Chen's journey to the top has been marked by a series of festival triumphs. The 'Cannes Camera d'Or' win for 'Ilo Ilo' and subsequent awards launched his career into the global film industry's consciousness. Now, as he prepares to judge the Asian New Talent section, he reflects on the power of film festivals as launchpads for young filmmakers.
In an exclusive interview, Chen shared his thoughts on the lineup for this year's Asian New Talent competition. He expressed excitement about discovering real gems among the 12 films from across the region, all from first- or second-time filmmakers. Despite his eagerness, Chen prefers to watch films cold, without reading reviews or plot synopses, to be surprised. This approach, he believes, fosters a deeper appreciation for the filmmaker's work.
The Asian New Talent section, Chen noted, has a proud legacy of uncovering talents like Ning Hao and Makoto Shinkai. He sees the Shanghai festival as a shining example of discovering young Asian filmmakers, with a list of luminaries who have emerged from the section. Chen's own journey is a testament to the festival's impact, as his early films won over 40 awards worldwide, launching his career and opening doors.
When asked about his own work, Chen revealed a 12-part episodic series developed at his company, Giraffe Pictures. This marks his first foray into the episodic world, blending universal themes of food and family. Set up as a Chinese-Singapore co-production, the series is a personal project that Chen is passionate about. He also expressed his love for Shanghai, citing its East-meets-West legacy and old-world charm as reasons for his enthusiasm to be jury president.
As Chen prepares for his jury duty, he reflects on the impact of festival screenings and awards on his career. He believes in the value of film festivals as launchpads for young filmmakers, and his own success is a testament to that. With a busy schedule and a passion for cinema, Chen is poised to make a lasting impact at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
