‘#LookAtMe,’ Film Denied Exhibition in Singapore, Lands U.S. Distribution with Buffalo 8 (Exclusive)
Ken Kwek’s acclaimed Singaporean film “#LookAtMe” has secured North American distribution with Buffalo 8.
The deal is exclusive for the North American territory and non-exclusive for the rest of the world.
The film is a tragicomedy following the family of a teenage YouTuber who posts an irreverent video lampooning a megachurch pastor in defense of his gay twin brother. He is vilified by society and tried by a criminal justice system that tests his sanity and the bonds of his family.
This is Kwek’s second feature film after “Unlucky Plaza” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014. “#LookAtMe” won several awards on the festival circuit including prizes at New York Asian Film Festival, Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema, Montreal Independent Film Festival, LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival and San Francisco Queer Film Festival.
However, it was unlucky at home. The film was selected at the Singapore...
The deal is exclusive for the North American territory and non-exclusive for the rest of the world.
The film is a tragicomedy following the family of a teenage YouTuber who posts an irreverent video lampooning a megachurch pastor in defense of his gay twin brother. He is vilified by society and tried by a criminal justice system that tests his sanity and the bonds of his family.
This is Kwek’s second feature film after “Unlucky Plaza” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014. “#LookAtMe” won several awards on the festival circuit including prizes at New York Asian Film Festival, Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema, Montreal Independent Film Festival, LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival and San Francisco Queer Film Festival.
However, it was unlucky at home. The film was selected at the Singapore...
- 3/15/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The tributes to the Filipino and Singaporean cinema in Vesoul this year were definitely among the most interesting aspects of the programme, particularly because both included movies that aimed simply at entertaining their audience. “Forever Fever”, a homage/remake of “Saturday Night Fever”, is definitely one of those films.
“Forever Fever” screened at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
The story takes place in 1977 Singapore, when the fever of “Saturday Night Fever” is taking over the whole world. For Hock, a young clerk in a supermarket however, life is still just a burden, as he is not particularly fond of his job, while in his house he has to face his mother's whining, his father's criticism, and the constant comparison with his younger, perfect brother Leslie, who is studying to be a doctor. Furthermore, he is essentially ignorant of Mei's feelings about him, a young girl who works...
“Forever Fever” screened at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
The story takes place in 1977 Singapore, when the fever of “Saturday Night Fever” is taking over the whole world. For Hock, a young clerk in a supermarket however, life is still just a burden, as he is not particularly fond of his job, while in his house he has to face his mother's whining, his father's criticism, and the constant comparison with his younger, perfect brother Leslie, who is studying to be a doctor. Furthermore, he is essentially ignorant of Mei's feelings about him, a young girl who works...
- 3/14/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Ken Kwek is an award-winning screenwriter, director and playwright from Singapore. His anthology of short films “Sex. Violence. Family Values” (2013) was banned in Singapore but won awards internationally. His feature debut “Unlucky Plaza” (2014) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Ken Kwek is also a theatre director and author of several bestselling children's books. “#LookAtMe” is his second feature film.
On the occassion of #LookAtMe screening at Fica Vesoul, where it picked up two awards, the Young Jury Prize and Audience Choice Award, and during an interview that begun and continued as a conversation in a cafe, we speak about the characters in the movie, the reasons behind its ban, the laws regarding homosexuality in Singapore, yao, televangelists, and many other topics.
Your film centers on a pair of twins – one straight, one gay – brought up by a single mother. Why did you choose not to have a father in the story?...
On the occassion of #LookAtMe screening at Fica Vesoul, where it picked up two awards, the Young Jury Prize and Audience Choice Award, and during an interview that begun and continued as a conversation in a cafe, we speak about the characters in the movie, the reasons behind its ban, the laws regarding homosexuality in Singapore, yao, televangelists, and many other topics.
Your film centers on a pair of twins – one straight, one gay – brought up by a single mother. Why did you choose not to have a father in the story?...
- 3/11/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“#LookAtMe” is the sophomore feature by Singaporean director Ken Kwek, and premieres at the New York Asian Film Festival. In it, twins Sean and Ricky Marzuki (portrayed brilliantly by yao) are small-time YouTube pranksters ready to trick their mother Nancy (Pam Oei) for some views. The problem is, no one is watching. One night, Sean is invited by his girlfriend Mia (Ching Shu Yi in her feature debut) to attend her church. There, he witnesses an extremely homophobic monologue by Pastor Josiah Long (magnificently flamboyant and detestable Adrian Pang) that openly vilifies people like Sean’s gay brother, Ricky. Angry at the pastor and his congregation, Sean makes a fiery YouTube video making fun of the pastor. The problem is, homophobia is somewhat permitted due to Section 377A of the Penal Code of Singapore, which criminalizes sexual relations between men, while fighting it openly is not. This brings numerous...
- 3/5/2023
- by Martin Lukanov
- AsianMoviePulse
Ken Kwek’s newest feature “#LookAtMe” tells the story of Singaporean YouTuber Sean Marzuki (played by yao) who is prosecuted and jailed after uploading a video in which he makes fun of a homophobic megachurch pastor for a sermon demonizing gay people like Sean’s twin, Ricky (played also by yao). A visceral experience like few others, the movie takes the viewers on a rollercoaster ride through different emotions and genre influences.
On the occasion of “#LookAtMe” premiering at the New York Asian Film Festival, we talk with director Ken Kwek, producer and actress Pam Oei, and actor yao.
“#LookAtMe” is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
First, congratulations on the movie finally premiering. Can you please tell us how the movie was received?
Pam Oei: We’ve waited a long time to meet an audience and when we finally did, it was a relief. It was very nice...
On the occasion of “#LookAtMe” premiering at the New York Asian Film Festival, we talk with director Ken Kwek, producer and actress Pam Oei, and actor yao.
“#LookAtMe” is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
First, congratulations on the movie finally premiering. Can you please tell us how the movie was received?
Pam Oei: We’ve waited a long time to meet an audience and when we finally did, it was a relief. It was very nice...
- 8/11/2022
- by Martin Lukanov
- AsianMoviePulse
“#LookAtMe” is the sophomore feature by Singaporean director Ken Kwek, and premieres at the New York Asian Film Festival. In it, twins Sean and Ricky Marzuki (portrayed brilliantly by yao) are small-time YouTube pranksters ready to trick their mother Nancy (Pam Oei) for some views. The problem is, no one is watching. One night, Sean is invited by his girlfriend Mia (Ching Shu Yi in her feature debut) to attend her church. There, he witnesses an extremely homophobic monologue by Pastor Josiah Long (magnificently flamboyant and detestable Adrian Pang) that openly vilifies people like Sean’s gay brother, Ricky. Angry at the pastor and his congregation, Sean makes a fiery YouTube video making fun of the pastor. The problem is, homophobia is somewhat permitted due to Section 377A of the Penal Code of Singapore, which criminalizes sexual relations between men, while fighting it openly is not. This brings numerous problems to Sean and his family.
- 7/23/2022
- by Martin Lukanov
- AsianMoviePulse
A group of Singaporean filmmakers including Anthony Chen, Boo Junfeng, Royston Tan and Kelvin Tong has issued a statement protesting the local ban of Tan Pin Pin’s documentary To Singapore With Love.
The documentary examines the lives of Singaporean exiles, including trade unionists, student leaders and Communists, who left Singapore in the 1960s and 1970s due to their fear of being imprisoned under Singapore’s Internal Security Act.
Singapore’s Media Development Authority (Mda) classified the film yesterday as “Not allowed for all ratings”, on the grounds that it undermines national security. The classification means that the film can’t be shown or distributed in Singapore.
The group of 38 high-profile filmmakers and members of Singapore’s arts community expressed their “deep disappointment” at the Mda’s decision and called on the government body “to release their version of the events in question”, rather than banning the film outright (see full statement below).
To Singapore With Love...
The documentary examines the lives of Singaporean exiles, including trade unionists, student leaders and Communists, who left Singapore in the 1960s and 1970s due to their fear of being imprisoned under Singapore’s Internal Security Act.
Singapore’s Media Development Authority (Mda) classified the film yesterday as “Not allowed for all ratings”, on the grounds that it undermines national security. The classification means that the film can’t be shown or distributed in Singapore.
The group of 38 high-profile filmmakers and members of Singapore’s arts community expressed their “deep disappointment” at the Mda’s decision and called on the government body “to release their version of the events in question”, rather than banning the film outright (see full statement below).
To Singapore With Love...
- 9/11/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
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