Golden Horse-nominated thriller Angels Wear White to open the Singapore International Film Festival

Angels Wear White, the only Chinese film to be screened in competition at Venice International Film Festival earlier this year, is Qu's second directorial feature after Trap Street that was screened in 2013. PHOTO: 22 HOURS FILMS LTD

SINGAPORE - Golden Horse-nominated thriller Angels Wear White has been selected to be the opening film of the 28th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), which kicks off at Marina Bay Sands on Nov 23.

Directed by Chinese film-maker Vivian Qu, the film is about two schoolgirls who are assaulted by an older, high-ranking district commissioner in a motel. The only witness of the incident, motel receptionist Mia (Vicky Chen), chooses to remain silent in order to save her job.

The film is up for Best Feature at the Golden Horse Awards next month (November), while Chen is up for Best Actress and Qu for Best Director.

Ms Yuni Hadi, executive director of SGIFF, said in a press statement that the opening film selection "reaffirms" the festival's "commitment to championing film talents and cinema of the region, and showcases the promising future of Asian cinema."

She added: "Vivian Qu has made a name for herself as one of the few female film-makers and producers in China and has been a strong advocate for independent cinema.

"Her latest feature film, Angels Wear White, showcases her prolific cinematic style in telling a hard-hitting story of the society's marginalised through the camera lens and brings to fore a rare female perspective towards the state of oppression."

Angels Wear White, the only Chinese film to be screened in competition at Venice International Film Festival earlier this year, is Qu's second directorial feature after Trap Street (2013).

The acclaimed film-maker also produced the thriller Black Coal, Thin Ice (2014), which won the Golden Bear award at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.

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