Q&A: ‘La Luna’ director on the inspirations behind Singapore Oscar entry

Director M Raihan Halimsat down with Screen International to discuss Malay-languagecomedy-drama La Luna, which is Singapore’s entry for the Oscars’ international feature category. Watch above.

 He explains how the film mixes light-hearted comedy with serious themes, and talks about the the project’s inspirations, including French classic Amelie.

The film follows a city girl who opens a lingerie shop in a conservative village. While the villagers slowly begin to welcome the shop owner with open arms, the iron-fisted leader of the village is hell-bent to drive the shop out of town at all costs.

The Singapore-Malaysia co-production had its world premiere at Tokyo International Film Festival and played as the closing title of the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

The cast led by Shaheizy Sam, known for box office hits Polis Evo 3 and Malbatt, and Sharifah Aamani.