The Venice Film Festival’s main competition is set to showcase “Stranger Eyes,” a gripping film from celebrated Singaporean filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua. The much-anticipated first trailer has been recently released, triggering eager anticipation among cinema buffs.
“Stranger Eyes” unravels a chilling narrative where a young couple grapples with the inexplicable disappearance of their baby girl. The plot thickens when the distraught couple start receiving disturbing videos that suggest someone has been documenting their everyday activities, including their private moments. As a voyeur stealthily collects footage, law enforcement authorities establish a vigilant surveillance net around the couple’s residence. However, rather than offering relief, the watchful eyes begin to unravel secrets that shake the family’s foundations to its core.
Filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua, whose film “A Land Imagined” clinched top honors at the 2018 Locarno Film Festival, has enlisted the prowess of renowned Taiwanese actors Lee Kang-Sheng, known for his roles in “What Time Is It There?” and “Days” and Wu Chien-Ho, appreciated for his performance in “A Sun”. The ensemble cast also comprises fresh talent Anicca Panna and Xenia Tan, alongside seasoned actors Vera Chen from “Boluomi” and Pete Teo from “Barbarian Invasion”.
“Stranger Eyes” is a multi-country collaborative effort, involving entities from Singapore, Taiwan, France, and the U.S. Fran Borgia of Akanga Film Asia in Singapore, Stefano Centini of Volos Films in Taiwan, Jean-Laurent Csinidis of Films de Force Majeure in France, and Alex C. Lo of Cinema Inutile in the U.S. share production credits. Global distribution rights are being managed by Playtime.
Several organizations have come together for the execution of “Stranger Eyes”. Tiger Tiger Pictures, Incantation Films, Epicentre Films, Volya Films, and Playtime play an instrumental role in the making of the film, along with support from the Singapore Film Commission, Taiwan Creative Content Agency (Taicca), Institut Français, and Region Provence-alpes-côte D’azur. Purin Pictures has also lent its support to the project.
Yeo confided in Variety, stating, “In an era defined by ubiquitous surveillance and high urban density, we unwittingly find ourselves witnessing the lives of others. In such a landscape, the act of observation and being observed becomes an ordinary ritual. ‘Stranger Eyes’ offers a thoughtful commentary on these relationships in an age of limitless yet isolating visual media connectivity.”
Borgia reciprocated the enthusiasm, “A film like ‘Stranger Eyes’ that is as unique as it is years in the making, owes its existence to a passionate and exceptional team. Transforming into a global co-production has allowed it to mirror the dynamic growth of the Asian independent film industry. We are eagerly waiting for it to captivate audiences in Venice and across the globe.”
You can watch the intriguing trailer here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is the director of the film “Stranger Eyes”?
A1: “Stranger Eyes” is directed by the acclaimed Singaporean filmmaker, Yeo Siew Hua who won the top prize at the Locarno Film Festival in 2018 for “A Land Imagined”.
Q2: What is the plot of “Stranger Eyes”?
A2: The plot revolves around a young couple whose baby girl suddenly disappears and they begin receiving strange videos, indicating that someone is privately filming their everyday life.
Q3: Who are the actors in “Stranger Eyes”?
A3: The film features high-profile Taiwanese actors Lee Kang-Sheng and Wu Chien-Ho, alongside new talents Anicca Panna and Xenia Tan, and experienced actors Vera Chen and Pete Teo.
Q4: Which film festival is “Stranger Eyes” participating in?
A4: “Stranger Eyes” will be competing in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Q5: Who are the producers of the film “Stranger Eyes”?
A5: The film is co-produced by entities from Singapore, Taiwan, France, and the U.S., including Fran Borgia, Stefano Centini, Jean-Laurent Csinidis, and Alex C. Lo.
Credit: variety.com
