#LookAtMe

Being such a long while where I have been at a movie where the audience laugh as one, cheered and exclaim together.

A simple production that is at times raw, it hits you. It does showcase some underlying themes of the society that most people are afraid to know, thread or understand or challenge.

A lot of foreigners don't understand why Singaporeans got so much to complain about Singapore. Maybe this movie can help share such insights.

However, audience are to be careful with the opening statement. It's a fictional storyline, with inspiration from some real events. After all Amos is now locked up in US for his own crimes and is definitely not anyway close to be a hero in Singaporeans eyes.

In #LookAtMe Ken Kwek covers dark issues in Singapore revolving around religion, LGBTQ+, social media and family, and the film allows the viewers to feel what it is to live in a country where living authentically can not only make someone's life very difficult but also destroy their family. The story takes dark turns and makes the viewers sad and shocked, but it's tied in with humor, family love and hope, which makes it a compelling watch. Among the stellar cast Yao plays both the twin brothers brilliantly, while Pam Oei delivers the most poignant performance as their mother. A very important film for Singapore and the world.

This film is far more important than a piece of entertainment.

Set in and coming out of Singapore, a place where as of the time of this review, the LGBTQIA+ community still does not enjoy anywhere close to the same amount of rights as "straight/cis" people, this film joins the ranks of pieces of art that is brave enough to do the important work of amplifying stories and issues that DO exist in clean & green Singapore, but are always shoved under the rug.

The film is thoroughly engaging from start to end, and as a great and important note, lots of the cast members are part of SG's LGBTQIA+ community of members and allies and thus an integral part of this piece of work.

My only criticism is that, for a film marketed towards that community, it still places the "straight/cis" character front and center as the hero of the story.

That being said, I am grateful to every person involved for being some of the many daring artists willing to put their careers and names on the line to produce content like this that is still largely unwelcome in Singapore and has a very real potential to affect their working options in some way.

I hope one day we will all look back on this and other similar works of art as signs of an outdated era, rather than a continuing situation in Singapore.

A gripping story on a straight teenager's stance for LGBTQ+ rights, motivated to defend his own twin brother (excellent performance by Yao doing both roles). This is a film that delivers drama, humour, irony and most importantly hope. It's not a film just about the Community, but a film about the importance of justice, truth about hypocrisy and why humanity is critical in our crazy world to stay sane. May I just call out the outstanding performance by all the cast members and artistic vision by Ken, what an incredible achievement to have been produced with limited funding. Thought provoking and excellently produced, please go watch it!

Ken Kwek's "#lookatme" is a captivating film that delivers a biting commentary on the dangerous implications of our society's obsession with social media. The movie also bravely tackles sensitive topics such as religion and homophobia, offering a fresh and bold perspective on LGBTQ issues in Singapore.

One of the standout features of the film is Kwek's expert direction of the actors. Pamela Oei delivers an exceptional performance as Mom (Nancy Marzuki), portraying her character's sensitivity and thoughtfulness with depth and nuance. Additionally, Yao's portrayal of the Marzuki brothers is outstanding, particularly Sean M's transition from initial mischief to madness when he's imprisoned.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to see "#lookatme" is for Pamela Oei's masterful acting. She brings a level of authenticity and vulnerability to the role that is both powerful and memorable, making her performance alone worth the price of admission.

Overall, "#lookatme" is a must-watch film that challenges its audience to confront uncomfortable truths about our society.

Although the film is impressive overall, there are some areas where it could have been more nuanced. For instance, certain scenes, such as those set in the prison, felt somewhat prolonged and could have been trimmed down for better pacing. Additionally, some of the characters, particularly the antagonists, came across as somewhat one-dimensional caricatures, lacking the nuance that would have made them more compelling.

However, despite these shortcomings, the film is a powerful and moving work that offers a sense of solidarity to LGBTQ allies.

Looking to the future, one can only hope that more films will continue to explore these complex themes and foster a greater sense of empathy and understanding among all members of society.