A Little More Soul, A Little More Heart

Behind every film is a story with purpose and personality. And for Quek Shio Chuan’s highly acclaimed works, both are aplenty

- Chin Koyyi

Wen Guang—the protagonist of Quek’s debut short film Guang in 2011—is shown sitting on a bus on his way to an upcoming job interview, scratching at the label on the inside of his collar as he recites under his breath a script his younger brother bade him to remember for the interview itself, which was written on the center of his palm. The beginnings of Wacko’s Waltz begin to play in the background—a musical piece that the director’s sister, Quek Shio Yee, had composed for the film.

“Hello, my name is Wen Guang,” he carefully reads in Mandarin. “I’m 27 years old. I’m from Mantin, I have two years of working experience in a pub. I’m very friendly, approachable, cooperative.” The scene changes, and he’s seen walking in the middle of a bustling marketplace still muttering the words under his breath, eyes never once straying from his upturned palm. “Sometimes I may seem a little weird to you. But I really hope you can understand,” he continues.

“I have autism.”

INVESTED IN EMOTION