Boo Junfeng's Apprentice is Singapore’s submission for Oscar Best Foreign Language Film

SINGAPORE – Following in the footsteps of Ilo Ilo by Anthony Chen and Seven Letters, the omnibus film by Boo Junfeng, Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, K Rajagopal, Tan Pin Pin, Royston Tan and Kelvin Tong, Apprentice by Boo has been selected by the Singapore Film Commission (SFC), which is part of the Media Development Authority of Singapore to be Singapore’s official selection for the 2017 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

SFC Director Joachim Ng, said: “Apprentice was selected as Singapore’s entry for the Oscars as it explores complex and sensitive themes while preserving an honest insight to the characters’ internal conflict and emotions. We believe the film will resonate with international audiences following its successful world premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Films like Apprentice continue to showcase the quality works by Singaporean filmmakers.”

The movie, which tells the relationship between a young correctional officer and the chief executioner of a prison, premiered at the international Cannes film festival’s more progressive Un Certain Regard section in May this year, and it received positive reviews from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, to name a few. Variety Asia Bureau Chief Patrick Frater describes Boo as “one of Asia’s hottest new directing talents” whose very first movie “Sandcastle” also appeared in Cannes’ Critics’ Week in 2010. Following world premiere at Cannes, Apprentice recently had its North American premiere in Toronto International Film Festival and will go on to the upcoming Busan International Film Festival for its Asian festival premiere. It has also been selected at the London, Sydney, Jerusalem, Helsinki and many other upcoming film festivals.

Boo himself, who is currently at the Toronto International Film Festival, released this statement: “It’s a huge honour and I am very thankful that the Singapore Film Commission has selected Apprentice as Singapore’s entry to the Oscars. We have been very encouraged by the response to the film in Singapore and around the world, and this news comes as another big boost for us.” He also told TODAY that his favourite Oscar foreign language film in recent years is A Separation by Asghar Farhadi, as it’s “such a beautiful film”.

As for whether Apprentice has a shot being among this cinematic honour, we will have to wait until January 24 next year when the Academy announces its nominations for the awards ceremony to find out if Apprentice is among those selected. The Oscars will be held on Feb 26, 2017.