Wrongful cremation has unimaginable consequences. But that’s what happens in Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, a 2022 dark comedy directed and written by Alvin Lee. The Singaporean is a graduate of the renowned Beijing Film Academy, whose alumni include acclaimed directors Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Jia Zhangke.
Lee ended up in China because he has always been a contrarian. “I wanted to take a different path from many of my peers, who headed to Western countries. Looking back, I realise this reflects my personality. I’ve always been slightly rebellious and drawn to less conventional paths,” he recounts.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes competed at over 50 major film festivals. Among other accolades, it won the Best Short Film award at the 35th China Golden Rooster Award and the Silver Screen Award at the 33rd Singapore International Film Festival.
Although Lee is a bit of a nonconformist, he doesn’t deviate from the norm arbitrarily. His approach to filmmaking involves sharpening cinematic language instead of breaking rules. “I am always asking myself if a shot choice is right for the moment or if there’s a more interesting or honest approach.
“Apart from what’s inside the frame, I also think a lot about what’s outside the frame, especially how sound can elevate a scene. In addition, attention spans are shrinking. As a filmmaker, I think more about how to make films that are worth watching on a big screen.”
His biggest challenges in making films in Singapore are dwindling audiences and manpower. As it stands, filmmaking is gruelling and fewer people are willing to join the industry. Additionally, audiences now consume media differently and fewer people go to the cinemas.
Although Lee does not have a solution to these issues, he does have something more valuable: drive. “What I can do is focus on becoming the best filmmaker and making the strongest work possible. If given the opportunity, I also hope to educate the younger generation about the importance and beauty of art and culture.”
Last year, he was conferred the National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award, the nation’s highest accolade for young artists. The recognition reinvigorated his vigour because it came at a low point in his life and career, he says.
“It gave me renewed hope to keep going on this path. It reminded me that the sacrifices and hard work over the years were not in vain.”
Lee is of the opinion that even though Singapore’s smaller market has commercial ramifications for our films, there is no cultural impact.
“The size of a country doesn’t dictate the richness of its culture and I do not believe we should try to emulate others. The only way forward is to stay true to our own voice.”
Alvin Lee on cultural identity
His advice for aspiring filmmakers? Passion alone isn’t enough. There must also be some degree of obsession. “You have to care about this art form deeply enough to dedicate a large part of your life to it because cinema is worth that commitment. The red carpet, the glamour, and the awards are all temporary. It is the work itself as well as the commitment to telling honest and meaningful stories that will endure.”
Also, cultivate your own voice. “A film can’t rely only on beautiful visuals. The filmmaker’s voice and the emotions are what stay with me after watching a film.”
Photography Mun Kong
Art direction Ed Harland
Hair Jimmy Yap using Goldwell
Makeup Rina Sim using Armani Beauty
Grooming for Wang Yan Sophia Soh/The Suburbs Studio using Chanel Beauty & Kevin Murphy
Photography assistant Hizuan Zailani
