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Film-maker Anthony Chen writing new movie about S’pore life

GUANGXI - Following the success of his debut feature film Ilo Ilo, homegrown director Anthony Chen may soon return with another film about life in Singapore.

Anthony Chen says he wants his movies to reflect a life 'that is authentic'. Photo: Hon Jing Yi

Anthony Chen says he wants his movies to reflect a life 'that is authentic'. Photo: Hon Jing Yi

GUANGXI - Following the success of his debut feature film Ilo Ilo, homegrown director Anthony Chen may soon return with another film about life in Singapore.

“I am writing another script set in Singapore, and one of the main characters is a secondary school boy,” Chen said. “In a way, it’s almost about how life is viewed in Singapore.”

Chen was speaking at an interview with TODAY in Guangxi, China, to promote Distance, an omnibus of three films, starring Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin. Distance is the first movie to be produced by Chen’s production company Giraffe Pictures, and he is the executive producer for the film, will be released later this year.

But unlike the award-winning Ilo Ilo, the movie that was inspired by his maid when he was younger, Chen said his script for his sophomore directorial effort will not be related to his own experience growing up in the city.

“I had a much cleaner, prim and proper, regular Singapore childhood. I wish I had been more gritty - smoking, drinking and all that but, no; which is why I live all my fantasies on the screen,” he said. “For me it’s always about presenting and questioning and reflecting about life that is authentic, life that is not sweetened and peppered with candy and all that. I hope to do that.”

However, it may be a while before Chen’s new movie sees the light of day. “I’m still writing, I’m still figuring things out. I hope to start shooting next year. But (I won’t start) until the script is ready ... and that’s how I work, if it takes two years or three years to write the script, I might do that.”

He added: “I want to continue making films in Singapore - even though I don’t live in Singapore - I want to continue making films in Singapore and Asia. I think there are stories to be told.”

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