SINGAPORE — Missed out on both sold-out screenings of Ken Kwek’s Unlucky Plaza at the recent Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF)? You’re in luck. The Singaporean film-maker’s debut full length feature film has been picked up by Shaw Organisation for a Singapore theatrical distribution distribution and will open nationwide on April 16, 2015.

Playfully named after the famous Orchard Road mall, it tells the story of Onassis, a Filipino single father who is struggling with a failing business, rising rents and Singapore’s bureaucratic civil service. It stars Filipino actor Epy Quizon alongside homegrown veteran actors Adrian Pang, Judee Tan, Shane Mardjuki, Janice Koh, Pam Oei, and MediaCorp host and actor Guo Liang. The film was written and directed by Kwek and produced under his label, Kaya Toast Pictures.

The distribution deal bodes very well for the 35-year-old, whose previous work, the omnibus Sex.Violence.FamilyValues, was embroiled in controversy. Originally given an M18 film classification, the satirical comedy was pulled from cinemas a few days before it was slated to be released in cinemas, with the Media Development Authority (MDA) citing offensive racial remarks made in the film. It was eventually shown after Kwek made substantial cuts and the film was given an R21 rating.

TODAY understands that Shaw had decided to pick up Unlucky Plaza after it was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The company was also encouraged by the rousing reception of the film at the recent SGIFF.

An earlier release date was considered but Shaw had reportedly felt that a black comedy with the word “unlucky” in its title might not be popular amongst local audience during the Chinese New Year period.

“There’s obviously no empirical evidence for this and it strikes me as a little bizarre. I might have to title my next film Good Fortune Forevermore or something like that,” quipped Kwek.

Nonetheless, the director said he was happy a local release date and distribution deal was secured. “I’m pleased, of course, but I’m also curious to know if the wider audience identifies with the transgressions and social crises portrayed in the film,” said Kwek. “I’m also a little nervous. It’s been two years of hard work and I hope my investors will be vindicated for taking a risk on me.”

So why should Singaporeans go see Unlucky Plaza come April?

“Because they will get to see their favourite actors in transformative roles,” he said. “Imagine Guo Liang — our favorite TV host and a consummate gentleman — as a snarling, swearing, gun-toting villain. Wouldn’t you pay to see that?”