Anthony Chen

Director

Anthony Chen is a Singaporean director, screenwriter, and producer who is one of Asia's most internationally renowned filmmakers. He studied film at the National Film and Television School in the United Kingdom and began his career with award-winning short films before making a name for himself on the world stage with feature films. His feature film debut, Ilo Ilo (2013), earned him the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival—the highest award for a debut film—and marked a milestone for Singaporean cinema. His second feature film, Wet Season (2019), received several nominations at the Golden Horse Awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, and won the award for Best Actress, among others. We Are All Strangers (2026) is the third part of his “Growing Up” trilogy (which includes Ilo Ilo and Wet Season) and represents a culmination of his long-standing exploration of family ties, everyday relationships, and emotional experience. This film is being shown in competition at the Berlinale and is the first Singaporean entry ever to be nominated for the Golden Bear—a historic milestone for his country's cinema. Chen is regarded as a filmmaker who combines natural, empathetic performances with a clear visual and narrative style. His films are characterized by subtle observations of human relationships, cultural depth, and a balance between intimate storytelling and universal themes. He regularly works with the same actors and actresses and has also supported and produced numerous other Asian projects through his production company, Giraffe Pictures.

Films on Sooner

Wet Season

2019

103 mins

Drama

In monsoon-soaked Singapore, a teacher's struggle for identity and connection unfolds through an unlikely and transformative bond.

Ilo Ilo

2013

99 mins

Drama

A lovely, intimate drama of family dynamics under stress, offering an intriguing peek into previously unseen Singaporean middle-class life.