Singapore Drag Queen ‘Baby Queen’ set to play in SGIFF

Singaporean director Lee Yuan Bin’s latest theme is the local Tang opera, which has made its mark on the local drag scene since its debut in 2020.

Through excerpts from Tang’s life, the film, which is being screened in Singapore’s panoramic landscape at the Singapore International Film Festival, chronicles the artist’s eccentric journey: from posing as a young drag queen, falling in love, and competing in drag competitions, to dressing up. A supportive 90-year-old in tow.

Le’s latest film I Dream of Singapore, an observational documentary about the ongoing labor flow from Bangladesh to Singapore, and the links that are thriving between social workers and migrant workers, premiered at the festival in 2019.

“Since I produce, direct, shoot and edit my own documentaries, the filmmaking process requires me to spend months, if not years, with my subjects, and not have other crew members on set. Therefore, I chose to document people I would enjoy spending time with And who have a story to share with more people. I find the love and bonding especially between Oprah and her 90-year-old grandmother touching and worth celebrating.” diverse.

“Baby Queen” premiered in Busan earlier this year. “The reception in Busan was great,” he told me. “We have received inquiries from film festivals and distributors. ‘Baby Queen’ will travel the film festival circuit in 2023 and some screenings, such as the showing at the Singapore International Film Festival, will come with a drag show.”

Tiger Tiger Pictures funded and produced “Baby Queen” under the Glen Goei-created Unseen Series label, a collection of original feature-length documentaries giving voice to marginalized communities in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

“Baby Queen” is part of an ongoing wave of films from Singapore gaining international acclaim. There is more public and private funding and support infrastructure for filmmakers in Singapore today. There are also new production companies, groups and communities established to raise the quality and diversity of storytelling and filmmaking, Lee said.

This all comes at a time when the Singapore authorities have sent mixed messages to the LGBTQ community. Earlier this year, the Singapore government said it would decriminalize same-sex relations, but also support the normative basis for marriage. Media development authority InfoComm, which regulates the media and entertainment sector, said the changes would not lead to a relaxation of content controls.

Lei remains open to ideas for his next film, which could be a documentary or a fiction film, and hopes to collaborate with young filmmakers.

“Baby Queen” is shown at the festival on November 30th.



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