''Solos'' is a 2007 Singaporean drama film directed by Kan Lume and

Loo Zihan Loo Zihan (; born 11 November 1983) is a Singaporean actor, film director, artist and dancer. He was a part-time teacher at School of the Arts, Singapore, National Institute of Education (Singapore) and Nanyang Technological University. Profess ...

, written by Loo, and starring Lim Yu-Beng, Loo, and Goh Guat Kian. It is based on a short film by Kan and Loo. The film features no dialogue and recounts the relationships between a boy (Loo), his mother (Goh), and his older lover (Lim). It premiered at the

Busan International Film Festival The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF, previously Pusan International Film Festival, PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan (''also'' Pusan), South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festi ...

after being pulled from the

Singapore International Film Festival The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) (Chinese: 新加坡国际电影节) is the longest-running film festival in Singapore. Founded in 1987, the festival has a focus on showcasing international films and providing a global platform for ...

when the Singaporean government demanded cuts.

Plot

A boy carries on an illicit affair with his schoolteacher while becoming more distanced from his mother. As the boy and his older lover also become more distanced over time, the boy breaks off the relationship, and his lover becomes distraught.

Cast

* Lim Yu-Beng as Man *

as Boy * Goh Guat Kian as Mother

Production

The film was loosely based on co-director Loo's experiences. Loo had been in a relationship with an older man while he was a teenager. The relationship ended after Loo grew in a direction different his lover. Loo said that Singapore's anti-gay laws were not a major concern during filming, as other illegal behavior is regularly depicted in film. It is based on ''Untitled'', a short film by Loo and Kan.

Release

''Solos'' was intended to premiere at the

. After the Singaporean government cut the film, it was pulled from competition and given a jury-only screening. It premiered instead at the

Reception

Robert Koehler of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' wrote, "The film's achievement lies in its ability to imply complex entanglements and shifting emotional states without a shred of language." Maggie Lee of ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' compared it to a student film that overuses technique.

Twitch Film Screen Anarchy, previously known as Twitch Film or Twitch, is a Canadian English-language website featuring news and reviews of mainly international, independent and cult films. The website was founded in 2004 by Todd Brown. In addition to films, ...

called it "a worthy addition" to Singapore's cinema.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0995751 2007 films 2007 drama films 2007 independent films 2007 LGBT-related films Singaporean independent films Singaporean LGBT-related films Silent films in color LGBT-related coming-of-age films LGBT-related drama films LGBT-related films based on actual events LGBT-related controversies in film Obscenity controversies in film