Sinema Weekly Digest: 5 – 11 July5 min read
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe Sinema Weekly Digest presents a weekly roundup of Asian film news and the latest trailers, releases and events to check out over the weekend!
Top Stories
Singapore Actress Beatrice Chien Dies at 81
Local actress Beatrice Chien, who appeared in feature films such as Ramen Teh and Crazy Rich Asians, died on Tuesday (July 6) at the age of 81. She had left a 40-year nursing career to pursue her passion for acting, and starred in television series, commercials and short films. She was also an active volunteer, manning the hotline at the Association of Women for Action and Research and helping elderlies at the Sage Counselling Centre.
Malaysian Silat Film ‘Geran’ Now Streamed In the US After Winning Award at 2020 New York Asian Film Festival
Malaysian Silat action film Geran, the debut of director Mohd Shahreel Abu Bakar, opened in US cinemas last month after winning the Daniel A Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema at the New York Asian Film Festival — a first for Malaysia. Follow this link to get a behind-the-scenes look at the arduous journey to realise the film, and check out the action-packed for yourself on Netflix.
Indonesian Action Star Iko Uwais Tested Positive for COVID-19
The 38-year-old actor, best known for his work in Indonesian action film The Raid, announced on his Instagram page that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He will be starring alongside Malaysian actor Henry Golding in the GI Joe series spin-off Snake Eyes, slated for release later this year.
Events, Festivals and Happenings
The Singapore Film Society Presents Two Evocative International Films in ‘SFS Showcase #2: Politics & Humanity’
Following its first film showcase of the year in April, the Singapore Film Society returns this July with a presentation of two award-winning films from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kenya — Academy Awards nominee from Golden Bear winner Jasmila Zbanic Quo Vadis, Aida? and Softie, the winner of the Editing Award for World Cinema – Documentary at the Sundance festival.
Ticket sales for the showcase are now on sale via the Singapore Film Society website.
Attendance to “SFS Showcase #2” is FREE for SFS Fam members (SFS Friend and SFS Kopi & Movi members get discounts of up to 50% off) and open to all (both SFS members and non-members are welcome). Tickets are priced at $15 (inclusive of GST) for the public.
Singapore Film Society to Host Month-Long Master Series on Indian Cinema
The Singapore Film Society looks to shatter stereotypes with a four-week master series on Indian cinema. The programme will present an introduction to Indian film from Bollywood and beyond, including specially curated shorts from Singapore. Find out more from the Society’s Peatix page.
The Asian Film Archive Celebrates the Work of a Towering Figure in World Cinema with ‘Retrospective: Abbas Kiarostami’
Starting this weekend, the Asian Film Archive will be featuring the works of Iranian auteur, Abbas Kiarostami, in new 2K and 4K restorations for the first time in Asia. “Retrospective: Abbas Kiarostami” will showcase 18 feature films, 4 short features and 12 short films, including renowned works such as Close-up (1990) and the Palme d’Or-winning film Taste of Cherry (1997), as well as rarely-seen early short films made during pre-revolution Iran. Tickets are now on sale.
New Trailers
Korean remake of ‘Saving Mr. Wu’ Heads To Theatres in August
Starring Hwang Jung-Min, Hostage: Missing Celebrity, a remake of the Andy Lau starring Saving Mr. Wu, trails a superstar looking to survive a kidnapping.
Tense, Desolate Horror Film ‘Lamb’ To Makes Its Premiere at Cannes
Produced by A24, the horror film follows a childless couple who discovers a mysterious newborn on their farm in rural Iceland. Lamb will make its world premiere on July 13 as part of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
New on Streaming
Animated series ‘Godzilla: Singular Point’ stomps its way onto Netflix
Hungry for more kaiju action after this year’s Godzilla vs Kong? The animated series might be just what the doctor ordered. Stream the complete first season now on Netflix.
In Theatres This Week
Last Chance to Catch Local Indie Horror Film ‘Konpaku’ on The Big Screen!
From the team behind 2020’s Not My Mother’s Baking, the indie horror film follows the forbidden love story between a Malay-Muslim man and a sensual Japanese succubus. Konpaku is now showing in Filmgarde Cineplexes, with its last screening of this run on this coming Sunday, 11 July. Grab your tickets now at https://bit.ly/KonpakuFilmgarde.
‘Black Widow’ Returns to Cinemas in Marvel’s first Pandemic Blockbuster
The Marvel spy thriller, set right after Captain America: Civil War (2016), sees Black Widow come to face to face with her chequered past, evading shadowy figures determined to take her out. Black Widow is the first entry to Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Banner image credit: Beatrice Chien in ‘A Day With Popo’ / Image credit: Plug + Play Productions
