Ilo Ilo, Singaporean film inspired by Filipina OFW, wins top honors in 50th Golden Horse Awards

Ilo Ilo, a film inspired by a Filipina nanny, won top honors at the 50th Golden Horse Awards held in Taipei.

This family drama emerged as Best Picture in the film fest considered as the "Oscars" in Chinese-language cinema.

Singaporean Anthony Chen won the Best New Director award for his film Ilo Ilo during the awards night held in Taiwan last Saturday, November 23.

Anthony also won the Best Original Screenplay while Yeo Yann Yann nabbed the Best Supporting Actress award for portraying a mother balancing her career and taking care of her young son.

Oscar-winning director Ang Lee served as the jury head of the 50th Golden Horse Awards.

"Singapore is a very little country and we made this film with a small budget, so we never dreamed of winning a best picture prize," Chen was quoted as saying during his acceptance speech.

Set against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the family drama Ilo Ilo explores the relationship between a Singaporean family of three and its Filipina nanny.

Filipina actress Angeli Bayani portrayed Terry, the tough-minded nanny who won over her bratty ten-year-old ward.

In real life, Angeli did develop a close bond with her Singaporean co-star, child actor Koh Jia Ler.

(Read: PEP EXCLUSIVE: Angeli Bayani develops close bond with lead child actor in the award-winning Singaporean film Ilo Ilo)


Angeli's character is inspired by Auntie Terry or Teresita Sajonia, the real-life Pinay nanny who took care of Anthony Chen when he was growing up.

In a previous interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Anthony described his Ilo Ilo as "loosely inspired by his memories from childhood."

During this interview, he said proudly, "It's great coz now you have one small film from Singapore that suddenly put Iloilo on the world map."

Ilo Ilo is slated for a release in Philippine cinemas this December 4.


Earlier this year, Ilo Ilo won the coveted Camera d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.


The 29-year-old director's debut feature film was also chosen as Singapore's entry to the Best Foreign Language film category of the 2014 Oscars.



Here is the list of winners in the 50th Golden Horse Awards:

Best Feature Film
Ilo Ilo

Best Short Film
Butter Lamp

Best Documentary
Beyond Beauty, Taiwan From Above

Best Director
Tsai Ming Liang, Stray Dogs

Best New Director
Anthony Chen, Ilo Ilo

Best Leading Actor
Lee Kang Sheng, Stray Dogs

Best Leading Actress
Zhang Ziyi, The Grandmaster

Best Supporting Actor
Xuejian Li, Back to 1942

Best Supporting Actress
Yeo Yann Yann, Ilo Ilo

Best New Performer
Shu-yau Kuo, Step Back to Glory

Best Original Screenplay
Anthony Chen, Ilo Ilo

Best Adapted Screenplay
LI Qiang, So Young

Best Cinematography
Philippe Le Sourd, The Grandmaster

Best Visual Effects
Pierre Buffin, The Grandmaster

Best Art Direction
William Chang Suk Ping, Alfred Yau Wai Ming, The Grandmaster

Best Makeup and Costume Design
William Chang Suk Ping, The Grandmaster

Best Action Choreography
Jackie Chan, He Jun, JC Stunt Team, CZ12

Best Original Film Score
LIM Giong, A Touch Of Sin

Best Original Film Song
I Love You, Rock Me to The Moon

Best Film Editing
Matthieu Laclau, Lin Xudong, A Touch Of Sin

Best Sound Effects
Tu Duu-Chih, Kuo Li Chi, Soul

Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year
Yeh Ju-Feng

Audience Choice Award
The Grandmaster

FIPRESCI Prize
Rigor Mortis

Lifetime Achievement Award
Chen Chen