Anthony Chen's ILO ILO victorious at Cannes

ILO ILO won in Cannes! What is meant here is actually the feature film Ilo Ilo by Singaporean director Anthony Chen, which has won the coveted Camera d’Or award for best feature film at this year's Cannes Film Festival. This victory has brought such pride to the name of Iloilo, to Chen himself, and to Singapore, the fact that this is the first time a Singapore feature film has won at Cannes. [read the rest of the article after the jump]

According to director Anthony Chen, "Ilo Ilo" is inspired by the phenomenon of Filipino nannies. Chen’s short film "Ah Ma" (Grandma) received a special distinction award when it screened in the competition in 2007, and Haze, about a teenage couple's relationship over the course of a hot and hazy day, which took part in the Berlin film festival's short film competition in 2008.

"Ilo Ilo" is about the relationship between a Singapore family and their newly arrived Filipino maid in the midst of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Starring Yeo Yann Yann, Chen Tianwen and Pinoy theater and indie film actress Angeli Bayani as the main Filipino protagonist role, the film is inspired by Anthony Chen's memories of being brought up by a maid who comes from Iloilo.

"Ilo Ilo" was screened at the Director’s Fortnight, and the movie must have been so heartwarmingly touching that it received a 15-minute standing ovation afterwards.

[to read our previous report on "Ilo ilo" click HERE to go to that article]