Eric Khoo: My erotic movie is going to be ‘PG’

SINGAPORE — Singapore might be all abuzz about Eric Khoo’s foray into erotic drama, In The Room, which began principal photography this week. The movie has been described as a “high-concept erotic movie” but the film-maker told TODAY he’s actually aiming for something that’s PG (Parental Guidance). “It’s all in the creativity of the camera and the angles,” he said with laugh. “It’s a PG film!”

Khoo is now in the midst of a 10-day shooting schedule at Infinite Studios’ soundstages in Singapore. The movie comprises six stories that are set in the same hotel room, spread over several decades, beginning with the surrender of the British in the 1940s.

“I must say I’m really happy because finally, my characters have come alive,” he shared. “And because it’s been on the drawing board for so long. Also it’s really good to have the foreign actors come in because prior to that, it’s only been Skype calls. And now, having met them in person and walking through the motions and scenarios with them, it’s exciting.”

In The Room boasts an eclectic cast that includes “two Koreans, one Japanese, one Thai, several Malaysians and Hong Kongers and, of course, Singaporeans”.

Starring alongside Singapore-based actors George Young, Daniel Jenkins and Koh Boon Pin are Korea’s Choi Woo-shik and Kim Kkobbi, Thailand’s Aeaw, Japanese adult film actress Shou Nishino, Malaysia’s Lawrence Wong and Hong Kong’s Josie Ho. Known for featuring new faces in his movie, Khoo has also brought in Nadia Ar and Ian Tan.

“One of my Singaporean actors, who is really crucial in the film, is Ian Tan,” he said. “I’ve known Ian for yonks and he’s done a lot of theatre productions and he’s more of a technical person. But the guy is a really good actor. I’ve always wanted to collaborate with him, so we’re finally working together now and he’s one of the leads.”

Ar, on the other hand, was spotted by Khoo in a play by multi-media artist and film-maker Brian Gothong Tan, who is serving as the film’s cinematographer.

Khoo also revealed that George Young will be playing the lead singer of a band in the 1960s. “They are called Desker 5 because there was once a band in Singapore called Siglap 5,” he joked.

The fictional band is set to play a pop song composed by Khoo’s son, James. “It’s titled In The Room and I really like it,” he said proudly.

Meanwhile, his other son, Christopher, is composing the film’s score with Khoo’s longtime collaborator Christine Shan.

The director added they will not be filming the six stories chronologically. “We are currently shooting the ‘50s (story) first,” he said, referring to one narrative that revolves around a stripper character named Orchid, an homage to real-life stripper Rose Chan and played by Hong Kong’s Ho. “On Saturday, we’re shooting the ‘40s.”

“We’re jumping back and forth but it’s more to accommodate the two film sets that we have,” he continued. “We film on one while the other is being set up. It’s also for the foreign actors because I don’t have them for the entire duration. They come in and out. The first story is one of the most complex in terms of the shooting and it’s been challenging. But I like what I’m seeing so far.”

Contrary to earlier reports, the S$1-million film, which has Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi on board, is not an SG50 film.

“It’s not an official SG50 film,” Khoo said. “But it’s my Singapore 50 film.”