Edition: English | 中文简体 | 中文繁体 Монгол
Homepage > Culture Video

'The Apprentice' tells story of trainee executioner

CCTV.com

05-20-2016 00:50 BJT

Singaporean films are enjoying a high profile at Cannes this year. 32-year-old director, Boo Junfeng, is back with his second feature, 'The Apprentice', which takes on the issue of the death penalty in his home country. And K Rajagopal comes with his debut feature, "A Yellow Bird".

'The Apprentice'

'The Apprentice' follows Aiman, a prison guard who ends up serving as apprentice to the jail's executioner. It's a commentary not just on the death penalty but on Singaporean society in general.

The film is screening in the festival's 'Certain Regard' competition, and 'A Yellow Bird' is showing at International Critics Week.

"I think we are going through quite an exciting period now. A few years ago, we had Anthony Chen win the Camera d'Or with 'Ilo Ilo', and now with this, we have two Singapore films in Cannes. I think it's certainly come a long way, but what I've noticed is that younger filmmakers are more willing to devote a lot of time to the development phase of their films," said director Boo Junfeng.

"Personal Shopper"

Meanwhile, U.S. actress Kristen Stewart is starring in French director Olivier Assayas' independent film, 'Personal Shopper', which is competing for the Palme d'Or.

Stewart says she is more at home with France's cinematic culture than Hollywood's, as the focus is less on making money.

"What is really obvious and apparent is the difference between why people make movies in France and why people make movies in the States, you know, there is a movie industry, there's a - there's an industry that's really like felt in the States and here there is a sort of culture that's felt and I like the risk involved, I like the fact that people aren't dying to make a bunch of money and win a popularity contest, they're actually just desirous of telling stories - so I feel at home here," said actress Kristen Stewart.

And 'Personal Shopper' is one of Stewart's TWO movies at Cannes this year. She also co-stars with Jesse Eisenberg in Woody Allen's out-of-competition film, "Cafe Society".

Follow us on

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Instagram

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Wechat