THE BREAKING ICE, a film by Singaporean director Anthony Chen, has been selected by the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) as Singapore’s entry for the 96th Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2024, in the category of Best International Film.
Shot in China, THE BREAKING ICE is a compelling Gen Z drama that follows the blossoming of its three leads’ friendship as they discover the warmth of their shared isolation during a weekend in the winter snow. Last year, AJOOMMA, the first Singapore-Korea co-production, was nominated as Singapore’s entry in the same category. The film was directed by He Shuming and also produced by Anthony Chen.
THE BREAKING ICE is Anthony Chen’s third film selected as Singapore’s entry for the Best International Film category at the prestigious Academy Awards (Oscar). ILO ILO and WET SEASON were two of his other famous feature films that represented Singapore at the Oscars. THE BREAKING ICE had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation from an audience of 1,000 spectators. The first feature film in China by the native filmmaker also marked 10 years since his debut feature lLO ILO won the Camera d’Or award at the Cannes Festival in 2013.
Philippine film series at the Gaumont Cinema
A tribute to the films of the French New Wave, specifically Jules and Jim (1962) by François Truffaut and Band of Outsiders (1964) by Jean-Luc Godard, THE BREAKING ICE stars Chinese actors Zhou Dongyu (Better Days, nominated for the Oscar for best international film), Liu Haoran (detective in the Chinatown franchise) and Qu Chuxiao (The Wandering Earth, China’s highest-grossing science fiction film), who use the trio of hearts to explore hopes, dreams and the anxieties of a generation through a snow-covered environment.
THE BREAKING ICE will be distributed in North America by Strand Releasing with international sales handled by Rediance. Anthony Chen wrote and directed the film, and produced it alongside Meng Xie under their Canopy Pictures banner. The film was released in theaters in Singapore on September 7, 2023, through Golden Village Pictures, and is currently continuing to play in theaters in mainland China, where it premiered on August 22.
THE BREAKING ICE is a compelling Gen Z drama that follows the blossoming of its three protagonists’ friendship as they discover the warmth of their shared isolation over a wintery weekend.
Justin Ang, Deputy Executive Director of Media, Innovation, Communications and Marketing at IMDA, said: “We are delighted with the selection of Anthony Chen’s THE BREAKING ICE as Singapore’s 2024 Oscar nominee. Other premieres made in Singapore won awards at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, films like THE BREAKING ICE put Singapore on the world cinema map. As the Singapore Film Commission marks 25 years of dedication to nurturing our vibrant local film industry, we are truly proud of our passionate local talents, who have found recognition on the global stage. “We hope to receive good news at the 2024 Oscars.”
Screenwriter, director and producer Anthony Chen added: “It is an honor to be selected once again to submit Singapore’s film to the Oscars, and even more significant in a year in which I have been invited to join the Academy. . This film would not have been possible without the creative talent and passion of our international team. “I look forward to sharing this film with audiences in the United States and around the world.”
Source: https://reporteasia.com/sin-categoria/2023/10/01/the-breaking-ice-seleccionada-candidata-singapur-oscar-categoria-mejor-largometraje-internacional/
