Oscars Race: Singapore Sends ‘Ajoomma’ to the Academy Awards
Singapore Picks ‘Ajoomma’
The Singapore Film Commission has picked feature debutant He Shuming’s “Ajoomma” as its entry for the Oscars’ international feature film race.
A comedy drama that follows a middle-aged widow’s obsession with Korean pop culture and her journey to self-discovery, “Ajoomma” is produced by Anthony Chen, Golden Horse and Cannes award-winner for “Ilo Ilo” (Singapore’s Oscar entry in 2014). The film will have its world premiere at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival under New Currents, the main competition section of the festival.
The film has also received four nominations at the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, including best new director and best original screenplay, as well as best leading actress for veteran Singaporean actress Hong Huifang, and best supporting actor for Korean actor Jung Dong-hwan.
The first-ever Singapore-South Korea co-production is supported by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)’s New Director grant.
The film will be released in Singapore on Oct. 27 through Golden Village Pictures. International sales are being handled by Rediance.
Justin Ang, assistant chief executive of media, innovation, communications and marketing, IMDA, said: “Over the years, IMDA has worked with stakeholders of the media industry to develop a support system for filmmakers and Singapore media companies to nurture a growing local pool of storytellers with the capability to produce quality international content. The selection of our first-ever Singapore-South Korea co-production, ‘Ajoomma,’ as Singapore’s entry for Oscars 2023 is testament that collectively, we have raised the bar on storytelling and production values. We are truly proud of our dedicated and passionate homegrown talent and hope to hear good news in March 2023.”
Chen added: “After ‘Ilo Ilo,’ ‘Pop Aye’ and ‘Wet Season,’ Giraffe Pictures is honoured to fly the flag again as Singapore’s Oscar contender with He Shuming’s charming debut ‘Ajoomma.’ We are just at the start of the film’s journey and look forward to bring laughs and tears to audiences far and beyond our shores. This is definitely the Singapore film of the year to watch.”