Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen has been making waves in international cinema with his deeply personal and evocative films. Known for his meticulous approach to storytelling, Chen has been sharing insights into his creative process and upcoming projects. His latest venture takes him into Korean territory, marking another significant chapter in his evolving filmography.
Chen’s work is deeply rooted in his life experiences, with each film reflecting different stages of his personal growth. His collaboration with actor Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler has spanned over a decade, resulting in a trilogy that has become a testament to their shared journey.
Chen’s Growing Up trilogy: a decade of cinematic evolution
The Growing Up trilogy, comprising Ilo IloWet Seasonand We Are All Strangershas been a 14-year journey for Chen. Each film captures a different phase of life, with Chen and his frequent collaborator Yeo Yann Yann growing alongside their characters. When Chen shot Ilo Ilohe was in his 20s, and Yeo was about to become a mother. By the time they completed We Are All StrangersChen had become a father and turned 40, while Yeo was approaching her 50s.
Yeo Yann Yann revealed that Chen’s films have documented their different age groups, experiences, dreams, hopes, and even their anger. She shared that Chen had reservations about her playing the lead in Ilo Ilo when she announced her pregnancy. However, Chen rewrote the role to accommodate her condition and even filmed her pregnancy for the final film. By the time they worked on Wet SeasonYeo was recovering from postpartum depression, a struggle she described as nearly crushing.
Chen acknowledged the influence of their lived experiences on their work. He stated, “Whether it is her, or me, or the combination of the three of us, actually we have thrown the things we experienced, including emotions and feelings, into the movies.” This raw, emotional honesty has become a hallmark of Chen’s directing style.
Chen’s directorial approach: capturing the essence of performance
Chen’s exacting approach to directing performances is inspired by Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsienwho once told him, “What you didn’t shoot won’t be in the film.” Chen elaborated on this philosophy, explaining that if an emotion isn’t captured on camera, it won’t present itself during editing. For Chen, performance exists within the breathing and pausesand he is particularly sensitive to the truth and falseness of each moment.
This meticulous attention to detail has earned Chen a reputation for his nuanced and authentic portrayals. He urged younger filmmakers to shoot short films, emphasizing the importance of practice in developing a directing style and learning how to coach actors. Chen himself completed roughly 10 short films before attempting his first feature, highlighting the value of persistence and practice in the filmmaking process.
Chen’s new Korean project: Sunset Park
Chen’s latest project, Sunset Parkis a Korean cross-cultural film that blends English and Korean languages. The film takes a comic take on a tragic storyexploring themes of strangers becoming family. Chen described it as a story that his subconscious keeps returning to, despite not consciously choosing it. The film recounts a Korean father’s surprising journey in the U.S. with his son’s roommate after receiving tragic news about his son.
Chen has been collaborating on the script with a Korean writer for about two years. He revealed details about the project during a masterclass at the Shanghai International film festivalwhere he is serving as the head of the Shanghai Asian new talents jury this year. The film premiered in competition at the Berlinale earlier this year, further cementing Chen’s status as a significant voice in international cinema.
As Chen continues to evolve as a filmmaker, his work remains deeply personal and resonant. His ability to capture the essence of human experiences and translate them onto the screen has made him a standout figure in contemporary cinema. With Sunset ParkChen is poised to explore new cultural territories while staying true to his signature style.
