Cities Of Last Things, a movie by Taiwan based Malaysian director Ho Wi Ding, will open on the 29th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) on November 28, 2018, at Capitol Theatre.
But before I talk about the movie, I feel I should tell you about the SGIFF. It’s organised by the Singapore International Film Festival Ltd, a non-profit organisation with Institution of Public Character (IPC) status. The 29th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) will be held in Singapore from November 28, 2018 – December 9, 2018. The Singapore International Film Festival is the largest and longest-running film event in Singapore, and has become an iconic event that is widely attended by international film critics; and known for its programs and focus on ground-breaking Asian cinema for Singapore and the region. Committed to bringing up local and regional talent, its competition component, the Silver Screen Awards, brings together emerging filmmakers from all over Asia while paying tribute to acclaimed cinema legends. With its mentorship programs, masterclasses, and dialogues with attending filmmakers, the Festival also serves as a catalyst for igniting public interest, artistic dialogue, and cultural exchanges in the art of filmmaking.
The film, Cities of Last Things, has been nominated for four awards at the 55th Golden Horse Awards, including Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best New Performer, and Best Original Screenplay. The film also won the Toronto Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival 2018, and will screen at SGIFF 2018 for its Southeast Asian Premiere. From sci-fi to noir to romance, the film blends these genres. Spanning decades, the story comprises three significant moments in an ordinary man’s life, told in reverse-chronological order and pivoting around three women. Ho guides viewers through one man’s fraught inner world and the circumstances that led him to a life altering decision, while also employing cinematic language to discuss the root of our collective sadness. Cities of Last Things marks Ho’s triumphant return after his successful debut feature, Pinoy Sunday.
“The dynamic film Cities of Last Things signifies the ascending future of Asian cinema, and leads the charge for Asian filmmakers emerging onto the global stage. Ho has woven his Western film training and Eastern inspirations together. The strong performance in the film is a perfect showcase of the quality of talents we have in Asia. This selection for opening film reaffirms our commitment to nurture and champion talents in filmmaking across Southeast Asia and Asia, and to provide a platform for them to showcase their work to the world.” – Wahyuni Hadi, Executive Director of Singapore International Film Festival
The 29th SGIFF, which runs from 28 November to 9 December 2018, will be hosted across multiple Festival venues, including Capitol Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore, The Cathay, Filmgarde Bugis+, Objectifs and SCAPE. SGIFF is an event of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF), hosted by Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA). SGIFF 2018’s Official Sponsors include Official Red Carpet Venue Capitol Theatre; Official Hotels Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore; Official Automobile BMW; and Official Airline Singapore Airlines. The full Festival line-up and ticketing details will be announced at the end of October 2018.
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