Venice Competitor ‘Stranger Eyes’ Director Yeo Siew Hua Develops New Limited Series

Fran Borgia of Singapore’s Akanga Film Asia, renowned for projects like “Tiger Stripes,” has announced two exciting new ventures amidst his appearance at the Venice Film Festival with Yeo Siew Hua’s contender, “Stranger Eyes.” These initiatives reflect the expanding horizon of Akanga Film Asia and Borgia’s commitment to storytelling.

Borgia shared with the media, “We are excited to announce that we are expanding our horizons beyond Southeast Asia, embarking on ambitious new projects in collaboration with partners from China, Japan, and India. These international co-productions present new challenges and opportunities, allowing us to push creative boundaries and expand our artistic skills.”

One of the highlights is a psychological police thriller series titled “The Fundamentals,” conceived by Yeo Siew Hua. This seven-part series is being developed with Taiwan’s Volos Films and aims to blend elements of science, cultism, and procedural drama. It promises to be a captivating addition to Yeo’s body of work.

The series is set in the small town of Chunding. It follows a police inspector and a sophisticated investigator who discover 25 decapitated bodies and unearth a cult that aims to restore nature’s balance through supernatural means. As the investigation deepens, the inspector’s immersion in the cult challenges his partner’s scientific beliefs and their quest for the truth.

In addition to “The Fundamentals,” Akanga Film Asia is working on “Waiting for Godard,” the debut feature by Vu Minh Nghia. This film, a co-production between Vietnam and Singapore, follows a young independent filmmaker struggling due to new government policies. He reconnects with former colleagues from the State Film Studio, who are also grappling with the rapid changes in the global economy and the legacy of the propaganda films they once made. Intrigued by their past, he decides to interview them.

Speaking about the new slate, Borgia emphasized his company’s dedication to nurturing emerging voices. “We are particularly excited about our work with filmmaker Vu Minh Nghia from Vietnam, whose unique perspective and storytelling approach are sure to add something special to our creative projects,” he said.

Alongside “Stranger Eyes,” Borgia is also in Venice presenting Tan Siyou’s debut feature, “Amoeba,” at the Venice Production Bridge’s Gap-Financing Market. The duo is keen to bring more stories to life, with projects like “Renoir” by Chie Hayakawa and “The Thonglor Kids” by Aditya Assarat also in the pipeline.

“Renoir,” Akanga’s first co-production with Japan, is a sophomore feature by Chie Hayakawa. Meanwhile, “The Thonglor Kids” is expected to begin principal photography in Thailand in late 2024. This film tells the story of a man who retires to the countryside after a failed marriage, only to have his life disrupted by the arrival of his best friend.

Expanding on the pool of creative collaborators, Borgia noted, “We are currently collaborating with a remarkable group of Asian filmmakers, including Tan Siyou, Yeo Siew Hua, and K. Rajagopal from Singapore; Huang Ji and Ryuji Otsuka from China and Japan; Rima Das, Deyali Mukherjee, and Aakash Chhabra from India; Giovanni Rustanto from Indonesia; Ash Mayfair and Vu Minh Nghia from Vietnam; Chie Hayakawa from Japan; and Aditya Assarat from Thailand, among others. We are honored to be part of this talented and diverse group of creators.

“Our goal is to tell stories that connect with people everywhere while staying personal and uniquely ours. By blending diverse cultural influences with fresh storytelling techniques, we aim to create content that resonates with audiences all around the globe,” Borgia concluded.

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