Singapore International Film Festival 2015 picks 'Panay' as its opening film [Watch Video]

"Panay," a Taiwanese drama directed by Cheng Yu-chieh and Lekal Sumi, has been selected as the opening film for the 26^th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) on Thursday, Nov. 26. It will be screened at Marina Bay Sands’ Theatre in Singapore. SGIFF 2015 will run until Sunday, Dec. 6.

According to the official blog of SGIFF, “Panay” means “rice paddy.” It is also the name of the main protagonist in the film, played by Ado’ Kaliting Pacidal. As the title suggests, the film is set amidst rice fields with glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. It also stars Rahic Gulas (Sera), Dongi Kacaw (Nakaw), Bokeh Kosang and Kaco Lekal.

“Panay” is about an indigenous community’s struggle to stay true to its roots, while being faced with the threat of urban development. It focuses on Panay, a single mother from Hualien’s Pangcah tribe in southern Taiwan. She is a reporter at one of Taipei’s TV stations. In order to keep her job, she has no choice but to leave her children, Sera and Nakaw, in her father’s care.

Unfortunately, Panay’s father is diagnosed with lung cancer. To help pay for his treatment, they consider selling the family plot. However, plans of turning it into a seaside resort change the course of their decisions and ultimately, their lives.

“Once the confrontations between developers and smallholders take over the narrative, the story seems to devolve into round after round of fighting, and for too many causes for audiences to swallow all at once,” Maggie Lee, Variety’s Chief Asia Film Critic wrote.

SGIFF 2015 executive director Wahyuni Hadi also spoke about “Panay” and its effect on viewers.

“We were moved by the beauty and spirit of Panay ; its powerful message around preserving and fighting for what we hold close to our hearts resonates with what we believe and stand for as a festival — to tell Asia’s story through film,” Hadi said in SGIFF’s blog.

Aside from Marina Bay Sands, the 26^th SGIFF will take place across several venues, including the Shaw Theatres Lido, National Gallery Singapore, The Arts House, National Museum of Singapore, The Projector and The Substation.

Watch the trailer of "Panay":