Toronto Singapore Film Festival 08

The third Toronto Singapore Film Festival starts in just a few days and they have a thrilling line up with something for everyone from dramas to quirky comedies to films of a darker nature.

The festival opens this Friday, April 4/08 with Old Times (short) and 18 Grams of Love (feature). Both films focus on love that has drifted apart, but the approach to move forward is very different.

There are many opportunities to get your giggles on with films that have unquestionable quirky humour. Just Follow Law looks like a hilarious take on getting stuck in all the red tape (see trailer on YouTube), and Zogang plays through the dreams of having a more interesting life.

If you favour films on the darker side, the Saturday 4pm slot is for you. Feature film Perth has a vengeful and redemptive taste to it, check out the Perth trailer on YouTube. It will be showing with the short Kichiro, for which director Kelvin Sng will be in attendance. You can see the Kichiro trailer here, which includes a notation that is has been "altered for general audiences" - something I've never seen before.

One film that really piqued my interest is Feet Unbound. This documentary retraces the path in The Long March, a massive military retreat in 1934-1937. The film focuses on and includes interviews with women who participated in The Long March. The trailer brought tears to my eyes.

Drama lovers don't despair, you will have your just desserts. 4:30 looks like a captivating portrayal of aloneness (see trailer on main site here). The festival will close with Singapore Dreaming, which looks amazing. A family centred drama focusing on the struggles and dilemmas of class issues, this screening will be one not to be missed.

All films will be shown with English subtitles.

For more information, check out the Toronto Singapore Film Festival website, Film Information, Film Schedule, Ticket Info, Online Ticket Sales and Festival Trailer on YouTube

The Toronto Singapore Film Festival runs from April 4-6/08 at Innis Town Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.