Local film to make world premiere in LA next year

SINGAPORE - A teen movie written and directed by Singaporean filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong will make its world premiere on January 15 next year in Los Angeles.

Coming-of-age film Faeryville, which is Tzang's first full-length feature film, will make its international debut at a red carpet world premiere in a to-be-confirmed theatre.

Set in a fictitious college, the film is centred on a group of bullied teenagers as it explores themes of self-identity and friendship.

The film is Tzang's fourth production after his three award-winning featurettes: e'Tzaintes (2003), A Wicked Tale (2005) and V1K1: A Techno fairytale (2010). He was also the youngest Singaporean director to release a film commercially on DVD.

Faeryville, which is from Tzang's own local and independent INRI Studio, was picked up for international sales by Eleven Arts, a Los Angeles-based film production known for samurai film Love and Honor, and Memories of Tomorrow starring Ken Watanabe.

After its world premiere in Los Angeles, Faeryville will begin its international sales in Europe at Rotterdam Film Festival's CineMart followed by the Berlin International Film Festival's European Film Market. INRI Studio is also in talks with US partners for possible theatrical release in the US.

"I am delighted to hear about the news. Los Angeles is the City of Angels, a place where many of my heroes in music and film saw their dreams come to life. It's an appropriate breaking ground for a film like Faeryville," said Tzang in a statement to the press.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg