After a strike-filled 2023, a number of TV shows are still waiting to be renewed or canceled by their respective networks and streamers in 2024.
As broadcast and cable networks — as well as their streaming counterparts —double down on their impending decisions for on the bubble series, the fate for both freshman shows and longrunning series hangs in the balance.
This year TV fans will say goodbye to several beloved favorites, including Chuck Lorre’s CBS sitcoms “Bob Hearts Abishola” and “Young Sheldon,” HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” ABC’s “Station 19,” Disney’s “Bunk’d” and Freeform’s “Good Trouble,” to name a few.
Get latest on the future of your favorite shows below:
“American Born Chinese” (Disney+) – Canceled
The series based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, which stars Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Jimmy Liu and Ke Huy Quan, was...
As broadcast and cable networks — as well as their streaming counterparts —double down on their impending decisions for on the bubble series, the fate for both freshman shows and longrunning series hangs in the balance.
This year TV fans will say goodbye to several beloved favorites, including Chuck Lorre’s CBS sitcoms “Bob Hearts Abishola” and “Young Sheldon,” HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” ABC’s “Station 19,” Disney’s “Bunk’d” and Freeform’s “Good Trouble,” to name a few.
Get latest on the future of your favorite shows below:
“American Born Chinese” (Disney+) – Canceled
The series based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, which stars Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Jimmy Liu and Ke Huy Quan, was...
- 1/20/2024
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
American Born Chinese has been cancelled after one season by Disney+. The eight-episode fantasy action-comedy series series debuted in May and was created by Kelvin Yu.
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Ben Wang, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Jimmy Liu, Sydney Taylor, and Stephanie Hsu, American Born Chinese is based on the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. It is a coming-of-age story about a teen struggling to balance his home and school lives.
Read More…...
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Ben Wang, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Jimmy Liu, Sydney Taylor, and Stephanie Hsu, American Born Chinese is based on the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. It is a coming-of-age story about a teen struggling to balance his home and school lives.
Read More…...
- 1/6/2024
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
This is why we can’t have nice things. Disney+ announced today that it will not move forward with a second season of the action-fantasy series American Born Chinese. The decision to cancel the series comes seven months after Disney debuted the eight-episode series on its streaming service, Disney+. The cancelation is raising a red flag for fans of the series, as Disney tends to purge content from Disney+ to save money and digital real estate. We’ve seen the mouse-eared streamer purge content before, with shows like Willow, Turner & Hooch, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and more. According to Deadline, options on the cast expired yesterday. However, there could be a silver lining to this disappointing news. 20th Television still plans to shop the series to other outlets, giving the show a chance to live again through another platform.
Per Disney+, here’s the...
Per Disney+, here’s the...
- 1/5/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
“American Born Chinese” has been canceled after one season at Disney+, Variety has learned.
According to an individual with knowledge of the decision, Disney was high on the creative of the series, but its viewership did not justify greenlighting a second season. The producers plan to shop the series to other outlets.
“American Born Chinese” debuted on Disney+ on May. The Disney Branded Television series was based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The official logline states that the show “chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god.”
The cast of the series included Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Jimmy Liu, Ke Huy Quan, Sydney Taylor, and Daniel Wu. The show received positive reviews from critics, with the first season holding a 94% approval rating based on 51 reviews.
According to an individual with knowledge of the decision, Disney was high on the creative of the series, but its viewership did not justify greenlighting a second season. The producers plan to shop the series to other outlets.
“American Born Chinese” debuted on Disney+ on May. The Disney Branded Television series was based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The official logline states that the show “chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god.”
The cast of the series included Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Jimmy Liu, Ke Huy Quan, Sydney Taylor, and Daniel Wu. The show received positive reviews from critics, with the first season holding a 94% approval rating based on 51 reviews.
- 1/5/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ is not proceeding with a second season of Disney Branded Television/20th Television’s action fantasy series American Born Chinese, which stars Oscar winners Ke Huy Quan and Michelle Yeoh.
The decision comes more than seven months after the eight-episode first season was released May 24. It also comes after the options on the cast expired yesterday, I hear. 20th Television still plans to shop the series elsewhere.
Created by Kelvin Yu based on Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, American Born Chinese had an impeccable timing, launching on the heels of the 2023 awards season that saw Yeoh and Quan win trophy after trophy for their movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, culminating with both of them landing Oscars in March.
Despite featuring Hollywood’s “it” duo of the moment in Yeoh and Quan and garnering strong reviews, American Born Chinese could not attract a large enough audience and did...
The decision comes more than seven months after the eight-episode first season was released May 24. It also comes after the options on the cast expired yesterday, I hear. 20th Television still plans to shop the series elsewhere.
Created by Kelvin Yu based on Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, American Born Chinese had an impeccable timing, launching on the heels of the 2023 awards season that saw Yeoh and Quan win trophy after trophy for their movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, culminating with both of them landing Oscars in March.
Despite featuring Hollywood’s “it” duo of the moment in Yeoh and Quan and garnering strong reviews, American Born Chinese could not attract a large enough audience and did...
- 1/5/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Japan has dominated this year’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Apsa), with German filmmaker Wim Wenders’ latest Tokyo-set pic and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car follow-up taking the top prizes.
Wenders’ Cannes competition title Perfect Days won Apsa’s Best Film award, while Hamaguchi’s enigmatic Venice title Evil Does Not Exist nabbed the Jury Grand Prize this evening at the Australian ceremony.
“It is with great pleasure and pride that my Japanese producers Takuma Takasaki and Koji Yanai and myself received the news that our film Perfect Days was awarded Best Picture at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards,” Wenders said, accepting the award via video message.
He added: “Wow, what an honor. Especially for a German director. The film was, in many ways, a dream come true for all of us, especially the fact that nobody less than the great Koji Yakusho played the leading role, the humble public servant,...
Wenders’ Cannes competition title Perfect Days won Apsa’s Best Film award, while Hamaguchi’s enigmatic Venice title Evil Does Not Exist nabbed the Jury Grand Prize this evening at the Australian ceremony.
“It is with great pleasure and pride that my Japanese producers Takuma Takasaki and Koji Yanai and myself received the news that our film Perfect Days was awarded Best Picture at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards,” Wenders said, accepting the award via video message.
He added: “Wow, what an honor. Especially for a German director. The film was, in many ways, a dream come true for all of us, especially the fact that nobody less than the great Koji Yakusho played the leading role, the humble public servant,...
- 11/3/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
While she may not yet be a household name, Yeo Yann Yann is giving viewers a lot to talk about lately with her powerful and inspired portrayal of Christine Wang on Disney+'s American Born Chinese.
Based in Singapore, the Malaysian-born actress has worked all over the world in many different languages. Her devotion to her craft is apparent in the authenticity she brings to her roles.
Following the recent news of her nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Comedy Series by the Hollywood Critics Association for her part on American Born Chinese, we bring you this exclusive interview with the eloquent and passionate woman.
As Christine Wang, Yeo portrays a strong-willed but loving mother who defends her son's well-being in the earthly realm while he fights otherworldly battles, unbeknownst to her.
While her parental relationship with Jin (Ben Wang) is central to the show's family theme, the...
Based in Singapore, the Malaysian-born actress has worked all over the world in many different languages. Her devotion to her craft is apparent in the authenticity she brings to her roles.
Following the recent news of her nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Comedy Series by the Hollywood Critics Association for her part on American Born Chinese, we bring you this exclusive interview with the eloquent and passionate woman.
As Christine Wang, Yeo portrays a strong-willed but loving mother who defends her son's well-being in the earthly realm while he fights otherworldly battles, unbeknownst to her.
While her parental relationship with Jin (Ben Wang) is central to the show's family theme, the...
- 7/15/2023
- by Diana Keng
- TVfanatic
Chinese folklore gets a Disney spin in “American Born Chinese,” an eight-episode series created by Kelvin Yu, which landed on Disney+ on Wednesday. An adaptation of the 2006 graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, the series centers on Bay Area teenager Jin Wang (Ben Wang), who becomes entangled in a fantastical quest after a new classmate, Wei-Chen (Jimmy Liu), reveals himself to be the son of the Monkey King and recruits Jin to help him search for the Fourth Scroll.
Featuring an all-star cast that includes Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Chin Han, Yann Yann Yeo and Sydney Taylor, “American Born Chinese” recontextualizes ancient history for modern audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with the original stories, bringing together the talents of some of the most prominent Asian actors, writers and directors in entertainment.
Yeoh, the “Everything Everywhere All at Once” star who recently made history by becoming the first...
Featuring an all-star cast that includes Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Chin Han, Yann Yann Yeo and Sydney Taylor, “American Born Chinese” recontextualizes ancient history for modern audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with the original stories, bringing together the talents of some of the most prominent Asian actors, writers and directors in entertainment.
Yeoh, the “Everything Everywhere All at Once” star who recently made history by becoming the first...
- 5/24/2023
- by Rachel Seo
- Variety Film + TV
Everything slowly falls apart and deteriorates in the life of the Lim family. Anthony Chen’s “Ilo Ilo” follows the characters in their trying attempt at holding on to their middle-class stature in Singapore in the time of economic crisis. The family’s patriarch (Chen Tianwen) is made redundant; the mother (Yann Yann Yeo), and simultaneously the most tragic character, is few months into her pregnancy; whilst their son Jia Le (Jia Ler Koh) is a troublemaking brat who really struggles to behave in class.
“Jiseok” is screening at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
The film is set during the economic crisis of 1997 that struck many Asian countries, Singapore included. One of the few elements that signal the timeframe is Tamagotchi, a handheld game that Jia Le plays. Apart from being a marker of the past, it becomes a symbol of the boy’s escapism. The depressed, overworked couple make for terrible parents,...
“Jiseok” is screening at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
The film is set during the economic crisis of 1997 that struck many Asian countries, Singapore included. One of the few elements that signal the timeframe is Tamagotchi, a handheld game that Jia Le plays. Apart from being a marker of the past, it becomes a symbol of the boy’s escapism. The depressed, overworked couple make for terrible parents,...
- 3/4/2023
- by Olek Młyński
- AsianMoviePulse
Hot news from Pyiff, Singapore’s Wet Season takes home a whopping three awards, including the Cinephilia Critics’ Award, and two Fei Mu Awards for Best Film and Best Actress. Filmmaker Anthony Chen is no stranger to accolades: his debut feature Ilo Ilo was selected for the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes and took home the Camera d’Or award for Best Debut Film. This week in Pingyao, I had the chance to chat with Chen and award-winning lead actor Yann Yann Yeo to discuss the their excellent second film together. Mild spoilers follow.
Wet Season is a master-class in sensitivity, restraint and precision.…...
Wet Season is a master-class in sensitivity, restraint and precision.…...
- 4/20/2021
- by Dylan Kai Dempsey
- IONCINEMA.com
"Can you please tell me what's going on here?" Strand Releasing has unveiled an official US trailer for an award-winning Singaporean drama titled Wet Season, the second feature film from filmmaker Anthony Chen (also of Ilo Ilo). This first premiered at the 2019 Toronto Film Festival, but is just now getting a VOD release this spring. A teacher and student at a Singapore high school form a special, self-affirming bond. Ling is a Chinese language teacher, whose marriage and school life are fraying apart because she is unable to bear a child. But an unlikely friendship with a student helps her reaffirm her identity as a woman. Starring Yann Yann Yeo and Jia Ler Koh, with Christopher Lee and Shi Bin Yang. This won a a few awards, including Best Screenplay in Torino and Best Actress at the Golden Horse Film Festival. It looks quite good. Here's the official US trailer...
- 3/10/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Fox’s free streaming service, Tubi, offers over 30,000 movies and TV shows from nearly every major studio and is available on over 25 devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Comcast Xfinity, and more. The service offers free movies to residents of Canada and the USA with intermittent commercials when streaming content.
With a huge collection of foreign-language film Tubi has plenty to offer for those who want watch a movie in honor of the Lunar New Year. You can browse the their collection of foreign titles over at Tubi.tv. We have highlighted a few titles currently available below.
Ip Man: The Final Fight (2013) by Herman Yau
“Ip Man : The Final Fight” is a kung-fu melodrama following Ip Man’s move to Hong Kong in 1949. The story is told in a series of vignettes, sketching out incidents and dramas of Ip Man’s time in Hong Kong, entwined with the stories of his students.
With a huge collection of foreign-language film Tubi has plenty to offer for those who want watch a movie in honor of the Lunar New Year. You can browse the their collection of foreign titles over at Tubi.tv. We have highlighted a few titles currently available below.
Ip Man: The Final Fight (2013) by Herman Yau
“Ip Man : The Final Fight” is a kung-fu melodrama following Ip Man’s move to Hong Kong in 1949. The story is told in a series of vignettes, sketching out incidents and dramas of Ip Man’s time in Hong Kong, entwined with the stories of his students.
- 2/11/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Singapore Director Anthony Chen returns after six years with his sophomore feature Wet Season. His first film Ilo Ilo (2013) is a tender masterfully shot race-class drama set during the 90s Asian recession. It follows a Malaysian native maid and her role in a Singaporean household with precision period detail. In Wet Season the lens is more focused this time round, focusing on a unique relationship and power dynamic, far more understated and tender in its critique of ethnic relations in the time of the mid-2000s. Malaysian-Chinese immigrant Ling (Yann Yann Yeo) teaches Mandarin, looks after her workaholic husband’s invalid father (Shi Bin Yang), and has been trying for eight years to conceive a child. Dissatisfied, she rarely shows it, hiding her resentment and sadness...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 8/8/2020
- Screen Anarchy
Everything slowly falls apart and deteriorates in the life of the Lim family. Anthony Chen’s “Ilo Ilo” follows the characters in their trying attempt at holding on to their middle-class stature in Singapore in the time of economic crisis. The family’s patriarch (Chen Tianwen) is made redundant; the mother (Yann Yann Yeo), and simultaneously the most tragic character, is few months into her pregnancy; whilst their son Jia Le (Jia Ler Koh) is a troublemaking brat who really struggles to behave in class.
The film is set during the economic crisis of 1997 that struck many Asian countries, Singapore included. One of the few elements that signal the timeframe is Tamagotchi, a handheld game that Jia Le plays. Apart from being a marker of the past, it becomes a symbol of the boy’s escapism. The depressed, overworked couple make for terrible parents, and in an attempt at containing the ongoing crisis,...
The film is set during the economic crisis of 1997 that struck many Asian countries, Singapore included. One of the few elements that signal the timeframe is Tamagotchi, a handheld game that Jia Le plays. Apart from being a marker of the past, it becomes a symbol of the boy’s escapism. The depressed, overworked couple make for terrible parents, and in an attempt at containing the ongoing crisis,...
- 4/10/2020
- by Olek Młyński
- AsianMoviePulse
Singapore-born Anthony Chen studied in film schools in Singapore and the UK. His short film “Ah Ma” was awarded the Special Mention for Short Film at Cannes, the first time a Singapore film was awarded at Cannes. His debut feature “Ilo Ilo” won the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, while his sophomore feature “Wet Season” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
On the occasion of “Wet Season” screening at Thessaloniki International Film Festival, we speak about his absence from feature filmmaking, casting the same actors again, Singaporean society and many other topics
The first question is the inevitable one. What took you so long?
It takes me very long to write a film. “Ilo Ilo” took me two years to write, this one took me three years. It takes me very long to prepare a film as well. I spent a whole year casting and then another year prepping the film,...
On the occasion of “Wet Season” screening at Thessaloniki International Film Festival, we speak about his absence from feature filmmaking, casting the same actors again, Singaporean society and many other topics
The first question is the inevitable one. What took you so long?
It takes me very long to write a film. “Ilo Ilo” took me two years to write, this one took me three years. It takes me very long to prepare a film as well. I spent a whole year casting and then another year prepping the film,...
- 11/10/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Six years after the international success of “Ilo Illo”, Anthony Chen is back with another ambitious family drama, which also reunites him with his former protagonists, Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler.
“Wet Season” is screening at the 60th Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Mandarin-language teacher Ling lives a life that stretches from mundane to genuinely sad. Her marriage is in shambles, as her busy husband, Andrew, is always absent, frustrated with their continuous, but unsuccessful efforts to have a child, which have lasted for 8 years. Ling however, still tries and continues undergoing a painful IVF treatment, but she is on her own. Furthermore, she has to take care of her bed-ridden father, who spends all his days watching old kung-fu movies (some will notice King Hu there) and has to face attitudes that reach the borders of contempt in school, by both students and fellow teachers, as her subject is considered of secondary importance.
“Wet Season” is screening at the 60th Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Mandarin-language teacher Ling lives a life that stretches from mundane to genuinely sad. Her marriage is in shambles, as her busy husband, Andrew, is always absent, frustrated with their continuous, but unsuccessful efforts to have a child, which have lasted for 8 years. Ling however, still tries and continues undergoing a painful IVF treatment, but she is on her own. Furthermore, she has to take care of her bed-ridden father, who spends all his days watching old kung-fu movies (some will notice King Hu there) and has to face attitudes that reach the borders of contempt in school, by both students and fellow teachers, as her subject is considered of secondary importance.
- 11/7/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
With the bittersweet drama “Wet Season,” Singapore writer-director Anthony Chen again proves himself a perceptive observer of life and social class in his tropical nation-state and a sensitive chronicler of issues confronting women. , and directed with striking maturity and restraint. Like his 2013 debut, the Cannes Camera d’Or-winner “Ilo Ilo,” this sophomore feature draws on details from his personal life and further benefits from the casting of two of that film’s leading players: the luminous Yann Yann Yeo as the vulnerable educator and the vibrant Koh Jia Ler as her student. Further festival action and niche art-house play should follow the world premiere in Toronto’s Platform competition.
Modest, dignified and caring, the late-thirtysomething Ling (Yeo), a native Malaysian, teaches Mandarin to teens at a top boy’s academy, where both she and her subject are undervalued in favor of math and science. In advance of the grade 4 O-levels,...
Modest, dignified and caring, the late-thirtysomething Ling (Yeo), a native Malaysian, teaches Mandarin to teens at a top boy’s academy, where both she and her subject are undervalued in favor of math and science. In advance of the grade 4 O-levels,...
- 9/11/2019
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
"We can't go on like this." Memento Films has released an official trailer for the latest film made by talented Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen (of Ilo Ilo) titled Wet Season, which will be premiering at the Toronto Film Festival starting next week. The film is looking for distributors worldwide which is why they're promoting it with this superb festival trailer. Wet Season, also known as Re Dai Yu in Mandarin, is about the friendship / relationship that builds between a Malaysian-born high school teacher and a lonely student living in Singapore. They connect "but the time will come when even this alliance will reach its inevitable limit." Starring Yann Yann Yeo, Koh Jia Ler, Christopher Lee, and Yang Shi Bin. This looks good, a tender drama about loneliness. Tiff says it boasts "elegant, unobtrusive camerawork and fluid storytelling." Here's the first festival promo trailer for Anthony Chen's Wet Season, direct from...
- 8/28/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Yann Yann Yeo, Swee Lin Neo and Frederick Lee star.
Hong Kong-based Good Move Media has picked up international rights to Malaysian filmmaker Saw Teong Hin’s You Mean The World To Me, which has Christopher Doyle on board as DoP.
Malaysia’s Astro Shaw produced the film with Saw Teong Hin’s Real Films. The cast is headed by Yann Yann Yeo (Ilo Ilo), Swee Lin Neo and Frederick Lee.
Good Move, which is screening the film at Efm today [Feb 12], has rights outside of Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore. Astro Shaw is handling Malaysia, where a May release is scheduled, while MM2 Entertainment is handling Taiwan and Singapore.
Set in 1970s Penang, the Hokkien-language drama tells the story of a mother and her son who suffers from mental health issues. Crew on the film also includes pan-Asian talents such as editor Liao Ching Song (The Assassin), while Taiwanese singer Zhao Chuan has contributed to the soundtrack...
Hong Kong-based Good Move Media has picked up international rights to Malaysian filmmaker Saw Teong Hin’s You Mean The World To Me, which has Christopher Doyle on board as DoP.
Malaysia’s Astro Shaw produced the film with Saw Teong Hin’s Real Films. The cast is headed by Yann Yann Yeo (Ilo Ilo), Swee Lin Neo and Frederick Lee.
Good Move, which is screening the film at Efm today [Feb 12], has rights outside of Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore. Astro Shaw is handling Malaysia, where a May release is scheduled, while MM2 Entertainment is handling Taiwan and Singapore.
Set in 1970s Penang, the Hokkien-language drama tells the story of a mother and her son who suffers from mental health issues. Crew on the film also includes pan-Asian talents such as editor Liao Ching Song (The Assassin), while Taiwanese singer Zhao Chuan has contributed to the soundtrack...
- 2/12/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The tensions between a family and their Filipino maid make for an engaging film
Anthony Chen's portrait of a middle-class Singaporean family's struggle with financial, domestic and personal issues during the economic crisis of the late 90s picked up well-deserved awards for best debut feature at festivals in Cannes and London. Angeli Bayani excels as the Filipino maid/nanny whose presence becomes the focal point of tensions within the family. While the father, Teck (Tian Wen Chen), hides both his redundancy and his smoking from his pregnant wife Hwee (Yann Yann Yeo), troublesome son Jiale (Koh Jia Ler) finds growing solace in the presence of "auntie", a bond that threatens his increasingly frustrated mother.
Shot with extraordinary intimacy and naturalism, and boasting superbly unaffected performances from the core cast, this sympathetic and engaging drama is deceptively gentle in its insight compassionate yet unsentimental.
Continue reading...
Anthony Chen's portrait of a middle-class Singaporean family's struggle with financial, domestic and personal issues during the economic crisis of the late 90s picked up well-deserved awards for best debut feature at festivals in Cannes and London. Angeli Bayani excels as the Filipino maid/nanny whose presence becomes the focal point of tensions within the family. While the father, Teck (Tian Wen Chen), hides both his redundancy and his smoking from his pregnant wife Hwee (Yann Yann Yeo), troublesome son Jiale (Koh Jia Ler) finds growing solace in the presence of "auntie", a bond that threatens his increasingly frustrated mother.
Shot with extraordinary intimacy and naturalism, and boasting superbly unaffected performances from the core cast, this sympathetic and engaging drama is deceptively gentle in its insight compassionate yet unsentimental.
Continue reading...
- 5/3/2014
- by Mark Kermode, Observer film critic
- The Guardian - Film News
Having been quite the hit on the festival circuit – picking up the Golden Camera award at Cannes last year, not to mention several other accolades in various cities across the world (London included), Anthony Chen’s debut feature film Ilo Ilo certainly has a lot to live up to in that regard – and this compelling study of friendship does little to disappoint.
Set in Singapore, in the latter end of the 1990s amidst the recession that sweeps over the region, we delve into the life of a family struggling to cope. The mother, Hwee Leng (Yann Yann Yeo) is heavily pregnant, and while her husband (Tian Wen Chen) has severe financial woes, they hire the Filipino nanny Teresa (Angeli Bayani) to come and look after their insubordinate son, Jiale (Koh Jia Ler). Though initially the troubled young boy bullies and intimidates his new carer, soon the pair strike up a strong bond,...
Set in Singapore, in the latter end of the 1990s amidst the recession that sweeps over the region, we delve into the life of a family struggling to cope. The mother, Hwee Leng (Yann Yann Yeo) is heavily pregnant, and while her husband (Tian Wen Chen) has severe financial woes, they hire the Filipino nanny Teresa (Angeli Bayani) to come and look after their insubordinate son, Jiale (Koh Jia Ler). Though initially the troubled young boy bullies and intimidates his new carer, soon the pair strike up a strong bond,...
- 5/2/2014
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
A lovely, intimate drama of family dynamics under stress, offering an intriguing peek into previously unseen Singaporean middle-class life. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Few films have come out of Singapore, which is only just now starting to develop a significant cinema, and most of those have been genre films. The lovely, intimate Ilo Ilo — Singapore’s official submission to the 2014 Oscars in the Foreign Language category — is part intriguing peek into middle-class life in that city-state, something most viewers will be unfamiliar with either firsthand or onscreen, and part illustration of the frustrations and indignities of foreign domestic workers that appear to be universal wherever women leave their own homes to go work in someone else’s. Here, Teresa (Angeli Bayani) has just arrived from the Philippines to take care of the Lim...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Few films have come out of Singapore, which is only just now starting to develop a significant cinema, and most of those have been genre films. The lovely, intimate Ilo Ilo — Singapore’s official submission to the 2014 Oscars in the Foreign Language category — is part intriguing peek into middle-class life in that city-state, something most viewers will be unfamiliar with either firsthand or onscreen, and part illustration of the frustrations and indignities of foreign domestic workers that appear to be universal wherever women leave their own homes to go work in someone else’s. Here, Teresa (Angeli Bayani) has just arrived from the Philippines to take care of the Lim...
- 5/2/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Ilo Ilo, Singapore's Submission for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. U.S. : Film Movement. International Sales Agent: Memento Film International
On the subject of family dynamics there are various components to consider. The conflicts or connections between the members of a household emerge from the role each person plays in relation to one another. Breadwinners, for example, exert a certain authority onto others because of their inherent responsibility to provide. In a different manner, homemakers, earn the group’s respect because they oversee the correct functioning of the essential daily chores.
While the same person might exercise these two roles, each one teaches a different set of skills to the quietly receptive children. This power play is modified when it involves a servant, someone whose input is part of a business transaction, but who is still allowed into the privacy of the family’s home. Debutant feature director Anthony Chen exhibits his version of these interactions with a singular Singaporean flavor in his touchingly bittersweet film Ilo Ilo.
Enjoying a middleclass lifestyle during the late 90s, preteen troublemaker Jiale (Koh Jia Ler) and his parents live in a comfortable high-rise condo in the financial hub of Singapore. Teck (Tian Wen Chen) , the father, works at a stressful sales job in a time where the Asian economy was shaky. The boy’s mother, Hwee Leng (Yann Yann Yeo), is a proud office worker who is pregnant with her second child and can’t seem to catch a break. Responsible for giving her headaches, Jiale is a disobedient kid who appears to be acting rebellious since his grandfather passed away. He gets into fights with his teachers and ignores his mother’s pleas to behave. In desperate need of some help, Hwee Leng hires 28-year-old Filipino maid Teresa (Angeli Bayani), who instantly senses Jiale’s hostility toward her.
Fearful of how his wife might react, Teck suffers in silence by hiding the fact that he was a part of the numerous layoffs taking place all over the country as the economic crisis unfolded. In the meantime, Teresa or “Terry” as she likes to be called, becomes the victim of Jiale’s mischievous antics. Afraid of losing her job she is unable to express her discomfort to his parents. Ultimately, with his mother at the office all day, Jiale unwillingly accepts Terry’s help after breaking his arm.
Her patience and maternal instinct slowly win over the naughty kid. Being herself a mother apart from her son, caring for Jiale serves as a coping mechanism for Terry who feels like an outsider not only to the family, but also in the country. As the pair’s unlikely bond strengthens, Hwee Leng notices how important Terry has become for her son. Feeling replaced at home she becomes jealous of her loving maid, a situation that adds to the already existing distress. Eventually the financial uncertainty forces the family to make difficult decisions, which will sadly give Jiale another taste of heartbreak.
Delivered with remarkable chemistry by both Bayani and young Koh Jia Ler, their banter is humorously enchanting. They establish a relationship that transcends mere employer-employee status and is elevated to a genuine friendship. Terry’s duties are not limited to cooking and cleaning for him, but instead she takes it upon herself to truly care for the child. She gives him the love an attention his parents, being overly busy with work, have neglected to provide.
There is a profoundly moving quality to all four major performances in this character driven film. Their personal struggles come from trying to fulfill their specific roles in a world that is moving at such fast pace, it has forgotten to contemplate the simple joys of family. Unruly Jiale unconsciously refuses to get caught up in the system, thus he sincerely connects with Terry, who accepts him unconditionally even when he doesn’t live up to everyone’s expectations.
Through his superbly developed characters and nuanced storytelling, Chen successfully captures both the cultural pluralism of the Singaporean society and the preoccupations and wonders (Walkmans and Tamagotchis included), of a time which now seems strangely distant. Curiously enough, Ilo Ilo takes its name from Terry’s small hometown in the Philippines, and although he might never get to be there, through his friendship with Terry a part of Jiale will always live there. Pleasantly surprising Chen’s heartwarming debut is a subtly thoughtful and endearing work.
Ilo Ilo Opens in L.A. on April 11
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
On the subject of family dynamics there are various components to consider. The conflicts or connections between the members of a household emerge from the role each person plays in relation to one another. Breadwinners, for example, exert a certain authority onto others because of their inherent responsibility to provide. In a different manner, homemakers, earn the group’s respect because they oversee the correct functioning of the essential daily chores.
While the same person might exercise these two roles, each one teaches a different set of skills to the quietly receptive children. This power play is modified when it involves a servant, someone whose input is part of a business transaction, but who is still allowed into the privacy of the family’s home. Debutant feature director Anthony Chen exhibits his version of these interactions with a singular Singaporean flavor in his touchingly bittersweet film Ilo Ilo.
Enjoying a middleclass lifestyle during the late 90s, preteen troublemaker Jiale (Koh Jia Ler) and his parents live in a comfortable high-rise condo in the financial hub of Singapore. Teck (Tian Wen Chen) , the father, works at a stressful sales job in a time where the Asian economy was shaky. The boy’s mother, Hwee Leng (Yann Yann Yeo), is a proud office worker who is pregnant with her second child and can’t seem to catch a break. Responsible for giving her headaches, Jiale is a disobedient kid who appears to be acting rebellious since his grandfather passed away. He gets into fights with his teachers and ignores his mother’s pleas to behave. In desperate need of some help, Hwee Leng hires 28-year-old Filipino maid Teresa (Angeli Bayani), who instantly senses Jiale’s hostility toward her.
Fearful of how his wife might react, Teck suffers in silence by hiding the fact that he was a part of the numerous layoffs taking place all over the country as the economic crisis unfolded. In the meantime, Teresa or “Terry” as she likes to be called, becomes the victim of Jiale’s mischievous antics. Afraid of losing her job she is unable to express her discomfort to his parents. Ultimately, with his mother at the office all day, Jiale unwillingly accepts Terry’s help after breaking his arm.
Her patience and maternal instinct slowly win over the naughty kid. Being herself a mother apart from her son, caring for Jiale serves as a coping mechanism for Terry who feels like an outsider not only to the family, but also in the country. As the pair’s unlikely bond strengthens, Hwee Leng notices how important Terry has become for her son. Feeling replaced at home she becomes jealous of her loving maid, a situation that adds to the already existing distress. Eventually the financial uncertainty forces the family to make difficult decisions, which will sadly give Jiale another taste of heartbreak.
Delivered with remarkable chemistry by both Bayani and young Koh Jia Ler, their banter is humorously enchanting. They establish a relationship that transcends mere employer-employee status and is elevated to a genuine friendship. Terry’s duties are not limited to cooking and cleaning for him, but instead she takes it upon herself to truly care for the child. She gives him the love an attention his parents, being overly busy with work, have neglected to provide.
There is a profoundly moving quality to all four major performances in this character driven film. Their personal struggles come from trying to fulfill their specific roles in a world that is moving at such fast pace, it has forgotten to contemplate the simple joys of family. Unruly Jiale unconsciously refuses to get caught up in the system, thus he sincerely connects with Terry, who accepts him unconditionally even when he doesn’t live up to everyone’s expectations.
Through his superbly developed characters and nuanced storytelling, Chen successfully captures both the cultural pluralism of the Singaporean society and the preoccupations and wonders (Walkmans and Tamagotchis included), of a time which now seems strangely distant. Curiously enough, Ilo Ilo takes its name from Terry’s small hometown in the Philippines, and although he might never get to be there, through his friendship with Terry a part of Jiale will always live there. Pleasantly surprising Chen’s heartwarming debut is a subtly thoughtful and endearing work.
Ilo Ilo Opens in L.A. on April 11
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
- 4/11/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Anthony Chen
F rom winning the Camera d’Or at Cannes Film Festival to being officially nominated from Singapore for the Oscars in the foreign language category, Anthony Chen has gone places with his debut feature Ilo Ilo. It recently won him the Best Director award at the Mumbai Film Festival.
Apart from being a poignant and touching film about the relationship between a young boy and his Filipino nanny in a Singaporean family coming to terms with economic recession; the semi-autobiographical Ilo Ilo is a special film in more than one way. Not only did it open a new gateway for an otherwise obscure Singaporean cinema, it also resulted in Chen re-uniting with his Filipino nanny from childhood when a radio station in the Philippines embarked on a frantic search to find Chen’s inspiration for the Cannes-winner.
Chen talks to DearCinema about his journey with Ilo Ilo:...
F rom winning the Camera d’Or at Cannes Film Festival to being officially nominated from Singapore for the Oscars in the foreign language category, Anthony Chen has gone places with his debut feature Ilo Ilo. It recently won him the Best Director award at the Mumbai Film Festival.
Apart from being a poignant and touching film about the relationship between a young boy and his Filipino nanny in a Singaporean family coming to terms with economic recession; the semi-autobiographical Ilo Ilo is a special film in more than one way. Not only did it open a new gateway for an otherwise obscure Singaporean cinema, it also resulted in Chen re-uniting with his Filipino nanny from childhood when a radio station in the Philippines embarked on a frantic search to find Chen’s inspiration for the Cannes-winner.
Chen talks to DearCinema about his journey with Ilo Ilo:...
- 11/11/2013
- by Nandita Dutta
- DearCinema.com
With a promise to be back next year, bigger and better, the final day of the 15th Mumbai Film Festival presented by Reliance Entertainment and organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (Mami) unfolded.
After a week of celebrating cinema, the final few films screened today included Red Wedding directed by Guillaume Suon and Lida Chan, Short Term 12 by Destin Cretton, Saving General Yang directed by Ronny Yu, Hiroshi Toda’s Seventh Cat, Five Years by Stefan Schaller, Costa Gavras’s Amen and the much acclaimed Z, A Few Days More by Om Prakash Srivastava among others.
The last of the 15th Mumbai Film Festival’s master classes was conducted by the legendary director Bruce Beresford, on Preparation by the Director. “I thought I would talk about the necessity of story boarding. These days, with tight budgets and short schedules, if you don’t plan them, you’ll...
After a week of celebrating cinema, the final few films screened today included Red Wedding directed by Guillaume Suon and Lida Chan, Short Term 12 by Destin Cretton, Saving General Yang directed by Ronny Yu, Hiroshi Toda’s Seventh Cat, Five Years by Stefan Schaller, Costa Gavras’s Amen and the much acclaimed Z, A Few Days More by Om Prakash Srivastava among others.
The last of the 15th Mumbai Film Festival’s master classes was conducted by the legendary director Bruce Beresford, on Preparation by the Director. “I thought I would talk about the necessity of story boarding. These days, with tight budgets and short schedules, if you don’t plan them, you’ll...
- 10/26/2013
- by Pooja Rao
- Bollyspice
Diego Quemada-Diez scoops top prize; Nagraj Manjule wins jury award.Scroll down for full list of winners
Mexican film A Golden Dream (La Jaula De Oro) scooped the top prize, the Golden Gateway Of India award, in the Mumbai Film Festival’s international competition for first features, while Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry was awarded the Jury Grand Prize.
Directed by Diego Quemada-Diez, who started his career as an assistant to Ken Loach, A Golden Dream (fka The Golden Cage)follows the journey of three young Guatemalans attempting to emigrate to the Us.
The film debuted at Cannes in May where it won the Talent award in the Un Certain Regard section. It recently won the Best International Feature Film at the Zurich Film Festival.
The only Indian film in competition, the Marathi-language Fandry revolves around an “untouchable” or Dalit boy and his love for a girl from a higher caste.
Anthony Chen’s [link...
Mexican film A Golden Dream (La Jaula De Oro) scooped the top prize, the Golden Gateway Of India award, in the Mumbai Film Festival’s international competition for first features, while Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry was awarded the Jury Grand Prize.
Directed by Diego Quemada-Diez, who started his career as an assistant to Ken Loach, A Golden Dream (fka The Golden Cage)follows the journey of three young Guatemalans attempting to emigrate to the Us.
The film debuted at Cannes in May where it won the Talent award in the Un Certain Regard section. It recently won the Best International Feature Film at the Zurich Film Festival.
The only Indian film in competition, the Marathi-language Fandry revolves around an “untouchable” or Dalit boy and his love for a girl from a higher caste.
Anthony Chen’s [link...
- 10/25/2013
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Diego Quemada-Diez scoops top prize; Nagraj Manjule wins jury award.Scroll down for full list of winners
Mexican film The Golden Cage (La Jaula De Oro) scooped the top prize, the Golden Gateway Of India award, in the Mumbai Film Festival’s international competition for first features, while Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry was awarded the Jury Grand Prize.
Directed by Diego Quemada-Diez, who started his career as an assistant to Ken Loach, The Golden Cage follows the journey of three young Guatemalans attempting to emigrate to the Us.
The film debuted at Cannes in May where it won the Talent award in the Un Certain Regard section. It recently won the Best International Feature Film at the Zurich Film Festival.
The only Indian film in competition, the Marathi-language Fandry revolves around an “untouchable” or Dalit boy and his love for a girl from a higher caste.
Anthony Chen’s Ilo Ilo continued its successful festival...
Mexican film The Golden Cage (La Jaula De Oro) scooped the top prize, the Golden Gateway Of India award, in the Mumbai Film Festival’s international competition for first features, while Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry was awarded the Jury Grand Prize.
Directed by Diego Quemada-Diez, who started his career as an assistant to Ken Loach, The Golden Cage follows the journey of three young Guatemalans attempting to emigrate to the Us.
The film debuted at Cannes in May where it won the Talent award in the Un Certain Regard section. It recently won the Best International Feature Film at the Zurich Film Festival.
The only Indian film in competition, the Marathi-language Fandry revolves around an “untouchable” or Dalit boy and his love for a girl from a higher caste.
Anthony Chen’s Ilo Ilo continued its successful festival...
- 10/25/2013
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Marathi-language film Fandry directed by Nagraj Manjule won the Jury Grand Prize for the Second best film in International Competition at the 15th Mumbai Film Festival which concluded on Thursday. The film won a Silver Gateway trophy and a cash prize of ₹25 lakhs. [Read Nagraj Manjule's interview]
La Jaula de Oro (The Golden Cage) won the Best Film (Golden Gateway award) in International section.
Katiyabaaz (Powerless) by Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar won the Best Film (Golden Gateway award) in the India Gold Category while Qissa directed by Anup Singh won the Silver Gateway Award for Second Best film. Ko:Yad (A silent way) won the Silver Gateway Special Jury Award in the India Gold category.
Anthony Chen won the Best Director award for Ilo Ilo. Yan Yann Yeo won the Best Actor (Female) award for the same film.
Vincent Macaigne won the Best Actor award for his performance in the French film Tonnerre.
Cinematographer of The Rocket,...
La Jaula de Oro (The Golden Cage) won the Best Film (Golden Gateway award) in International section.
Katiyabaaz (Powerless) by Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar won the Best Film (Golden Gateway award) in the India Gold Category while Qissa directed by Anup Singh won the Silver Gateway Award for Second Best film. Ko:Yad (A silent way) won the Silver Gateway Special Jury Award in the India Gold category.
Anthony Chen won the Best Director award for Ilo Ilo. Yan Yann Yeo won the Best Actor (Female) award for the same film.
Vincent Macaigne won the Best Actor award for his performance in the French film Tonnerre.
Cinematographer of The Rocket,...
- 10/24/2013
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
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Mexican film The Golden Cage (La Jaula De Oro) scooped the top prize, the Golden Gateway Of India award, in the Mumbai Film Festival’s international competition for first features, while Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry was awarded the Jury Grand Prize.
Directed by Diego Quemada-Diez, who started his career as an assistant to Ken Loach, The Golden Cage follows the journey of three young Guatemalans attempting to emigrate to the Us. The only Indian film in competition, the Marathi-language Fandry revolves around an “untouchable” or Dalit boy and his love for a girl from a higher caste.
Anthony Chen’s Ilo Ilo continued its successful festival sweep by winning best director and best actress for Yann Yann Yeo. Best actor went to Vincent Macaigne for his role in Tonnerre, directed by France’s Guillaume Brac.
The jury also gave a special prize for “Best Work in Cinematography” to Australia-Laos-Thailand co-production The Rocket, directed by [link...
Mexican film The Golden Cage (La Jaula De Oro) scooped the top prize, the Golden Gateway Of India award, in the Mumbai Film Festival’s international competition for first features, while Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry was awarded the Jury Grand Prize.
Directed by Diego Quemada-Diez, who started his career as an assistant to Ken Loach, The Golden Cage follows the journey of three young Guatemalans attempting to emigrate to the Us. The only Indian film in competition, the Marathi-language Fandry revolves around an “untouchable” or Dalit boy and his love for a girl from a higher caste.
Anthony Chen’s Ilo Ilo continued its successful festival sweep by winning best director and best actress for Yann Yann Yeo. Best actor went to Vincent Macaigne for his role in Tonnerre, directed by France’s Guillaume Brac.
The jury also gave a special prize for “Best Work in Cinematography” to Australia-Laos-Thailand co-production The Rocket, directed by [link...
- 10/24/2013
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Ilo Ilo is the debut feature from Singaporean director Anthony Chen, who is now based in London. It is, however, handled with such a deft hand and filled with so much obsessive detail that one would be forgiven for thinking Chen has been directing for many years.The setting is Singapore in 1997, with the Asian financial crisis looming like the monsoon clouds over the city. A family caught up in this inevitable storm have just hired an inexpensive Filipino maid; a common staple of society then and even today.The mother, Hwee Leng (Yann Yann Yeo), treats the maid with disdain but recognises her important function in the household. She must carry on with her demanding day job as an administrative clerk for a company that...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/9/2013
- Screen Anarchy
And here's the rest fo them which includes loads of world premiers, plenty of Asian flare, and lot's of film makers I've never heard of before..
Check the list after the break.
Panorama Main Programme
Dongbei, Dongbei (A North Chinese Girl) by Zou Peng, People’s Republic of China (Wp)
With Tian Yi-Wen, Wu Rui-Peng, Liu Xing-Ping
Rabioso sol, rabioso cielo (Raging Sun, Raging Sky) by Julián Hernández, Mexico (Wp)
With Jorge Becerra, Javier Oliván, Guillermo Villegas, Giovanna Zacarias
Rossiya 88 (Russia 88) by Pavel Bardin, Russian Federation (Wp)
With Petr Fyodorov, Vera Strokova, Kazbek Kibizov
Schläft ein Lied in allen Dingen (Sleeping Songs) by Andreas Struck, Germany (Wp)
With Stefan Rudolf, Chulpan Khamatova, Traute Hoess, Paula Kalenberg, Barnaby Metschurat
Strella by Panos H. Koutras, Greece (Wp)
With Mina Orfanou, Yiannis Kokkiasmenos, Minos Theoharis, Betty Vakalidou
Vingança (Retribution) by Paulo Pons, Brazil
With Bárbara Borges, Erom Cordeiro, Branca Messina, Guta Stresser, Marcio...
Check the list after the break.
Panorama Main Programme
Dongbei, Dongbei (A North Chinese Girl) by Zou Peng, People’s Republic of China (Wp)
With Tian Yi-Wen, Wu Rui-Peng, Liu Xing-Ping
Rabioso sol, rabioso cielo (Raging Sun, Raging Sky) by Julián Hernández, Mexico (Wp)
With Jorge Becerra, Javier Oliván, Guillermo Villegas, Giovanna Zacarias
Rossiya 88 (Russia 88) by Pavel Bardin, Russian Federation (Wp)
With Petr Fyodorov, Vera Strokova, Kazbek Kibizov
Schläft ein Lied in allen Dingen (Sleeping Songs) by Andreas Struck, Germany (Wp)
With Stefan Rudolf, Chulpan Khamatova, Traute Hoess, Paula Kalenberg, Barnaby Metschurat
Strella by Panos H. Koutras, Greece (Wp)
With Mina Orfanou, Yiannis Kokkiasmenos, Minos Theoharis, Betty Vakalidou
Vingança (Retribution) by Paulo Pons, Brazil
With Bárbara Borges, Erom Cordeiro, Branca Messina, Guta Stresser, Marcio...
- 1/21/2009
- QuietEarth.us
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