DIRECTOR'S CUT

THREE MONTHS AFTER THE RELEASE OF HIS MUCH-LAUDED DEBUT FEATURE FILM, DIRECTOR HE SHUMING REFLECTS ON LIFE AFTER AJOOMMA.

- AZHAR RAHIM

When Ajoomma did not make the shortlist of contenders for the Best International Feature Film category for the upcoming Academy Awards in March, director He Shuming was sad but not surprised. While he was hopeful, He recognises the odds were stacked against the film. One of the factors is the subject matter of the film, he adds. Many of the contenders submitted for the category dealt with heavy and serious issues, while Ajoomma is a more introspective film with moments of levity.

For the uninitiated, Ajoomma tells the story of a K-drama obsessed Singaporean 'auntie' (or 'ajoomma' in Korean), played by Hong Huifang, who travels to Seoul as a tourist and is caught up in an adventure after she is accidentally left behind at a rest stop. "When you look at our film and the rest on the list, Ajoomma is thematically light-hearted-not that there is any comparison to be made, of course," He tells BAZAAR Man via a Zoom call from Los Angeles. "Plus, in terms of campaigning for a film in Los Angeles prior to getting shortlisted, there is a lot of work that needs to be done that requires a very high marketing budget."

So, when the film was selected as Singapore's entry in October last year, the 37-year-old filmmaker went in with no expectations. "I've watched many of the films on the list and, to be very honest, the films that eventually made the shortlist were also my picks. So, I really was not disappointed," he shares candidly. But he is grateful for the nomination, as along with the various screenings and industry events in the United States, it had opened up opportunities to network with agents and producers, some of whom have expressed interest in working with him after watching the film. Many were also interested in screening Ajoomma to audiences in North America.