Oscars: Singapore Selects Anthony Chen’s ‘We Are All Strangers’

“We Are All Strangers,” written and directed by Anthony Chen, has been selected as Singapore‘s official entry in the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said.

The pick was made by a Selection Committee drawn from eligible members of the Singapore Film Commission Advisory Committee (SFCAC).

Set in contemporary Singapore, the film centers on family relationships and unexpected life changes. It stars Chen’s frequent collaborators Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler, with Andi Lim and Regene Lim rounding out the cast. Earlier this year, it became the first Singaporean film selected for the main competition at the Berlin Film Festival in the festival’s 76-year history, competing against 21 other international films for the Golden Bear.

“We Are All Strangers” completes Chen’s Growing Up trilogy, which began with “Ilo Ilo” in 2013 and continued with “Wet Season” in 2019. The two earlier films have collectively won more than 50 international accolades, including 12 Golden Horse nominations and five Golden Horse Awards, along with “Ilo Ilo”‘s Caméra d’Or win at Cannes. Both films previously served as Singapore’s Oscars entries, at the 86th and 93rd Academy Awards respectively.

Produced by Chen’s Giraffe Pictures and supported by IMDA, “We Are All Strangers” opened in Singapore cinemas in August and is rolling out progressively across international markets. Paradise City Sales is handling world sales. Film Movement holds North American distribution rights, and the film is currently screening at the Toronto Film Festival, marking its debut on the continent.

Yvonne Tang, assistant chief executive at IMDA’s Media Industry Group, said, “After careful deliberation by the selection committee, we are proud to present ‘We Are All Strangers’ as Singapore’s official entry to the 99th Academy Awards. Anthony has a remarkable ability to tell stories that are deeply rooted in Singapore while resonating with audiences around the world. We’re excited to celebrate this latest milestone with Anthony, whose talent, dedication, and belief have driven the trilogy over the past 10 years. We also hope Singaporeans watch and support this film.”

Chen said it meant a great deal to have the film picked to close out a project he has poured a decade into, and that watching every installment of the trilogy go on to represent Singapore has been a defining achievement for everyone who helped make them. “These stories belong to Singapore, and presenting this final chapter of the trilogy on the global stage is a privilege for me as a filmmaker,” he said.