Movie Review: Distance (NC16)
Anthony Chen of Ilo Ilo fame is the brains behind this new omnibus film.
Wearing his executive producer's hat, he roped in three directors - China's Xin Yukun, Singapore's Tan Shijie and Thailand's Sivaroj Kongsakul - to tell intimate short stories about people separated by distance.
Xin's tale is a sad yet tender one about a young man coming to terms with the discovery of his long-lost father. Tan's piece paints the strong bond between two childhood friends, while Kongsakul's is a bittersweet offering about a forbidden May-December romance.
Each segment is anchored by a strong performance from Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin, who plays different characters.
Each section has its own strengths and weaknesses and there are some pretentious moments, but it is an accessible arthouse film.
Rating: 3/5
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