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| Stills from ‘We Are All Strangers’ film (Image Credit: Giraffe Pictures) |
Singapore cinema is having a defining moment on the global stage. For the first time in the festival’s 76-year history, a homegrown film has been selected to compete for the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Titled "We Are All Strangers (我们不是陌生人)", the film is written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Anthony Chen, marking a powerful milestone not just for the director, but for Singapore storytelling as a whole.
The film will make its world premiere at the festival (widely known as the Berlinale), taking place from 12 to 22 February 2026, where it will stand alongside some of the world’s most anticipated cinematic works.
The Berlinale’s main competition is widely regarded as the festival’s crown jewel, previously honouring cinematic heavyweights such as Ang Lee, Hayao Miyazaki, and Paul Thomas Anderson. Out of just 22 films selected this year, We Are All Strangers stands as one of only two Asian titles, placing Singapore firmly on a stage once dominated by traditional film powerhouses.
If you feel a quiet sense of pride reading this, you’re not alone. Moments like these remind us just how far Singapore cinema has come, and how compelling our stories can be on the international stage.
A Full-Circle Moment for Anthony Chen
If Anthony Chen’s name rings a bell, it should.
His breakout film "Ilo Ilo" captured hearts worldwide and earned the prestigious Caméra d'Or at Cannes back in 2013. He later followed up with "Wet Season", continuing his thoughtful exploration of human relationships.
Now, over a decade later, "We Are All Strangers" arrives as the final chapter of his deeply personal Growing Up trilogy - a series shaped by the different seasons of his own life. From his late twenties to early forties, Chen has quietly documented what it means to belong, to love, and to navigate the complicated ties that shape our idea of home. This final instalment feels less like a conclusion and more like a heartfelt letter to Singapore.
Anthony Chen himself described completing the trilogy as a profoundly personal journey, reflecting his evolution not only as a filmmaker but as a son, husband, and father. And perhaps that’s why his films feel the way they do - tender, observant, and quietly unforgettable.
Because at the heart of it all, they remind us of something simple:
Home isn’t perfect.
Families aren’t simple.
But the connections we build shape who we become.
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| Stills from ‘We Are All Strangers’ film (Image Credit: Giraffe Pictures) |
A Story That Feels Close to Home
Set over three years in contemporary Singapore, the film traces a family learning to live with the fragile ties that bind us, reminding us that family is not always defined by blood, but often by choice.
Tender yet emotionally powerful, the story moves through love, grief, responsibility, and the quiet resilience required to weather life’s changes. Chen pushes his exploration of surrogate families and unconventional relationships further than ever before, delivering a film that feels both deeply personal and profoundly universal.
The film reunites Chen with longtime collaborators including Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler, joined by Andi Lim and Regene Lim. All four actors are expected to attend the Berlin premiere alongside the director.
Adding a small note is that the film is produced by Chen’s production company, Giraffe Pictures, with support from the Infocomm Media Development Authority and the Singapore Film Commission. The film is slated for release across Singapore and multiple territories later in 2026. Be sure to add this film to your watchlist...
For longtime followers of Singapore cinema, this milestone feels almost surreal.
For everyone else? It might just be the perfect time to start paying attention.
Because when a homegrown film competes for one of the world’s highest cinematic honours, it signals something bigger... a creative industry coming into its own. And honestly, we love to see it!
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