KUALA LUMPUR: Malay comedy film La Luna has been chosen as Singapore's entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025.
AsiaOne reported that Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority announced La Luna as the country's entry for the Oscars in a statement yesterday.
The Singapore-Malaysia production is named after the focal point of the story — a women's lingerie shop that unexpectedly opens in a small, conservative village Kampong Bras Basah located somewhere in Perak.
While the villagers welcome the store's owner Hanie Abdullah (Sharifah Amani), whose late grandparents once lived there, the fundamentalist and autocratic headman of the village Tok Hassan (Wan Hanafi Su) is determined to drive her out of town.
While it is a comedy, La Luna is satirical and directly addresses how patriarchal figures misconstrue religion to justify violence against women.
The film is directed by Singaporean M. Raihan Halim and stars an ensemble cast from Malaysia and Singapore.
Besides Sharifah Amani and Wan Hanafi, the cast also includes Shaheizy Sam, Hisyam Hamid and Nadiya Nisaa.
Raihan said: "I am at once humbled, amazed and honoured to represent Singapore with our little film La Luna.
"My team and I are over the moon! Pun intended."
Shaheizy said: "This is like every actor's dream to be part of the world's most prestigious award event, I'm so grateful."
Sharifah Amani said: "Being Hanie was a deeply personal experience for me, and now, to see it being recognised by Singapore as their official selection for the Oscars is simply surreal.
"This recognition is for all of us who believe in the power of storytelling to bridge divides. I'm truly grateful and excited for what's to come."
La Luna made its world premiere in October last year at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival and was screened in Singapore cinemas the following month.
It also participated in the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival last year, and was screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the Shanghai International Film Festival earlier this year.
Singaporean actor Hisyam said that his character Pa'at, an ex-police officer and abusive husband, was a stark contrast from his usual sleek appearance in dramas.
"His ego has been greatly affected. He needs professional help, that's how I see it and I tried as much as possible to absorb myself into his character.
"I think no man should ever hit a woman. Pa'at is a very vulnerable and weak person," said Hisyam.
Fifteen films will be shortlisted for the award and announced on Dec 17.
The final five nominees will be announced on Jan 17, 2025 ahead of the Academy Awards on March 3 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.