Singaporean filmmaker Tan Siyou debuts with ‘Amoeba’ at Venice
A new voice in cinema
Singaporean filmmaker Tan Siyou is set to make waves with her debut feature film, Amoeba, which will be showcased at the Venice Production Bridge’s Gap-Financing Market. The film is produced by Fran Borgia of Akanga Film Asia, known for his work on “Tiger Stripes.” Borgia is also present at the Venice Film Festival with Yeo Siew Hua’s Golden Lion contender “Stranger Eyes.”
A rebellious narrative
“Amoeba” tells the story of a 16-year-old dropout who returns to her elite all-girls school and forms a gang with three other misfits. Their clumsy attempts at rebellion highlight the societal and cultural pressures in Singapore, a city-state known for its strict conformity. The film delves into the cost of these expectations and the pressure to conform in a repressive environment.
The paradox of Singapore
In a recent interview, Tan described her debut as an exploration of the “paradox” of her homeland. Singapore is a country that is “open but narrow-minded, Westernized but rooted in Eastern collectivism.” The nation’s post-independence “economic miracle” transformed it from a sleepy fishing village into a prosperous modern state. However, this transformation came at a cost.
The price of prosperity
While the older generation reaped the benefits of this economic boom, they were reluctant to challenge the status quo. Tan’s generation, however, was expected to conform to this recipe for prosperity without questioning the structures behind it. This indoctrination begins at an early age, with schools serving as instruments to propagate this system and mold “good” citizens.
A strict schooling system
Tan recalls her own schooling experience as being very academically focused but also very strict. The disciplinarian approach and culture of conformism were accepted by everyone because they were taught to put society before self. This philosophy permeated her schooling, with Orwellian courses like a Good Citizen Class among the required subjects.
The machinery of control
As Tan grew older, she began to understand the machinery behind the control exerted in school. This control seeped into her friendships and other intimate aspects of her life. The punitive laws of society, much like the stringent rules in school, were used to ensure obedience and restrict self-expression. Punishments were always justified in the name of economic growth and social harmony.
A journey to freedom
Tan, now based in Los Angeles, harbored a secret desire to study film when she left Singapore. She considered it a distant dream until she attended Wesleyan University, where she received a degree in art and film. Later, during a directing fellowship at the American Film Institute, she discovered a freedom of thought and a spirit of possibility.
The magic of cinema
“Being in a dark room with strangers watching the same projected light and sound makes me feel close to other people. It’s this very special kind of intimacy that made me want to become a filmmaker,” Tan said. Writing the script for “Amoeba” has helped her unlearn many narratives and confront the repression of her teen years. The process has been one of excavation, revealing things she had buried deep within herself.
A rare filmmaker
Producer Fran Borgia described Tan as a “rare filmmaker” and said it was clear he would help her make her debut film when they met five years ago. “I don’t choose projects based on their merits alone; I select the people I work with,” Borgia said. He was initially drawn to Tan as a filmmaker and her potential, rather than any specific story. However, as she shared more about the story behind “Amoeba” and its significance to her, he became deeply engaged.
A challenging journey
“I thrive on challenges, and this project presents a significant one,” Borgia continued. “Securing financing for a first-time female director with a deeply personal and unconventional story is no easy feat, but that’s exactly what drew me to it. The journey has been tough but incredibly rewarding, and we’re just getting started.”
Final thoughts
Tan Siyou’s “Amoeba” promises to be a compelling exploration of the societal and cultural pressures in Singapore. With its unique narrative and personal significance, the film is set to make a significant impact at the Venice Production Bridge’s Gap-Financing Market. For cinema enthusiasts, this debut feature is one to watch, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of conformity and rebellion in a modern state.