Singapore's Wuxia Dream Lands in Locarno

Singapore's cinematic landscape is expanding with "The House on the Moon," a pioneering wuxia feature film directed by Nelson Yeo. This marks a significant step for Singaporean cinema, which previously saw wuxia primarily on television.

The film offers a fresh take on the Chang'Er myth, centering on the moon goddess's journey to the lunar dark side alongside an Earth-bound bandit. Yeo sought to explore the characters' inner lives and emotions beyond the traditional narrative.

Yeo's return to the Locarno Film Festival follows his previous successes. "The House on the Moon" draws inspiration from classic Hong Kong genre films and Singaporean wuxia serials of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Production hurdles, including sourcing props and finding suitable locations in modern Singapore, led to filming partially in Taiwan. This collaboration introduced Yeo to Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng, a highlight of the production.

The film incorporates virtual production techniques, a tool Yeo views as transformative yet costly for independent filmmakers. He also expresses caution regarding AI's growing influence in filmmaking.

"The House on the Moon" features a diverse cast and crew from Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, and Berlin, reflecting a deliberate expansion of Yeo's usual creative process.

Yeo encourages audiences to experience the film emotionally rather than relying on preconceived notions of the plot. While a franchise is not out of the question, he emphasizes not forcing sequels.