Singaporean film ‘Ilo Ilo,’ inspired by Pinay OFW, wins top honors in 50th Golden Horse Awards

“Ilo Ilo,” a film inspired by a Filipina nanny, won top honors at the 50th Golden Horse Awards held in Taipei. 

 

This family drama emerged as Best Picture in the film fest considered as the "Oscars" in Chinese-language cinema.

 

Singaporean Anthony Chen won the Best New Director award for his film “Ilo Ilo” during the awards night held in Taiwan last Saturday, November 23.

Anthony also won the Best Original Screenplay while Yeo Yann Yann nabbed the Best Supporting Actress award for portraying a mother balancing her career and taking care of her young son. 

 

Oscar-winning director Ang Lee served as the jury head of the 50th Golden Horse Awards. 

 

"Singapore is a very little country and we made this film with a small budget, so we never dreamed of winning a best picture prize," Chen was quoted as saying during his acceptance speech. 

 

Set against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the family drama “Ilo Ilo” explores the relationship between a Singaporean family of three and its Filipina nanny. 

 

Filipina actress Angeli Bayani portrayed Terry, the tough-minded nanny who won over her bratty 10-year-old ward. In real life, Angeli did develop a close bond with her Singaporean co-star, child actor Koh Jia Ler.

 

Angeli's character is inspired by Auntie Terry or Teresita Sajonia, the real-life Pinay nanny who took care of Anthony Chen when he was growing up.

 

In a previous interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Anthony described his “Ilo Ilo” as "loosely inspired by his memories from childhood."

 

During this interview, he said proudly, "It's great coz now you have one small film from Singapore that suddenly put Iloilo on the world map." 

 

“Ilo Ilo” is slated for a release in Philippine cinemas this December 4. 

 

Earlier this year, “Ilo Ilo” won the coveted Camera d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. 

 

The 29-year-old director's debut feature film was also chosen as Singapore's entry to the Best Foreign Language film category of the 2014 Oscars. 

 

List of winners in the 50th Golden Horse Awards

 

Best Feature Film - “Ilo Ilo”

 

Best Short Film - “Butter Lamp”

 

Best Documentary - “Beyond Beauty: Taiwan From Above”

 

Best Director - Tsai Ming Liang, “Stray Dogs”

 

Best New Director - Anthony Chen, “Ilo Ilo”

 

Best Leading Actor - Lee Kang Sheng, “Stray Dogs”

 

Best Leading Actress - Zhang Ziyi, “The Grandmaster”

 

Best Supporting Actor - Xuejian Li, “Back to 1942”

 

Best Supporting Actress - Yeo Yann Yann, “Ilo Ilo”

 

Best New Performer - Shu-yau Kuo, “Step Back to Glory”

 

Best Original Screenplay - Anthony Chen, “Ilo Ilo”

 

Best Adapted Screenplay - LI Qiang, “So Young”

 

Best Cinematography - Philippe Le Sourd, “The Grandmaster”

 

Best Visual Effects - Pierre Buffin, “The Grandmaster”

 

Best Art Direction - William Chang Suk Ping, Alfred Yau Wai Ming, “The Grandmaster”

 

Best Makeup and Costume Design - William Chang Suk Ping, “The Grandmaster”

 

Best Action Choreography - Jackie Chan, He Jun, JC Stunt Team, “CZ12”

 

Best Original Film Score - LIM Giong, “A Touch Of Sin”

 

Best Original Film Song - “I Love You, Rock Me to The Moon”

 

Best Film Editing - Matthieu Laclau, Lin Xudong, “A Touch Of Sin”

 

Best Sound Effects - Tu Duu-Chih, Kuo Li Chi, “Soul”

 

Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year - Yeh Ju-Feng

 

Audience Choice Award - “The Grandmaster”

 

FIPRESCI Prize - “Rigor Mortis”

 

Lifetime Achievement Award - Chen Chen
 

 

—Pep.ph