Ilo Ilo (2013)

In 90s Singapore, the friendship between Filipino nursemaid Teresa and her young charge Jiale makes waves in a family, while the Asian recession hits the region.

Director:

Anthony Chen

Writer:

Anthony Chen

Stars:

Yann Yann Yeo, Tian Wen Chen, Angeli Bayani

34 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yann Yann Yeo	...	Hwee Leng
Tian Wen Chen	...	Teck (as Tianwen Chen)
Angeli Bayani	...	Terry
Jia Ler Koh	...	Jiale
Peter Wee	...	Discipline Master
Jo Kukathas	...	School Principal
Naomi Toh	...	English Teacher (Mrs Ong)
Stephanie Kiong	...	Teacher
Jia Min Chantel Teo	...	Teacher
Zhi Fang Xu	...	Teacher
Sea Moi Lee	...	Teacher
James Ng	...	Teacher
Sook Fen Wong	...	Teacher
Siow Phing Tan	...	Teacher
Aizuddiin Nasser	...	Teacher (as Muhd Aizuddin Bin Nasser)

Storyline

Set in Singapore, Ilo Ilo chronicles the relationship between the Lim family and their newly arrived maid, Teresa. Like many other Filipino women, she has come to this city in search of a better life. Her presence in the family worsens their already strained relationship. Jiale, the young and troublesome son, starts to form a unique bond with Teresa, who soon becomes an unspoken part of the family. This is 1997 and the Asian Financial Crisis is beginning to be felt in the region...

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Plot Keywords:

singapore | maid | money problems | husband wife relationship | father son relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Official submission of Singapore to the Oscars 2014 best foreign language film category.

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Quotes

Terry: [pleasantly surprised, laughs] How come you so clever... you know how to come up here?
Jialer: [cheekily] It's not I clever, it's you stupid.
[looking over parapet, then in blithe insensitive manner]
Jialer: The news say the man jump down from here one. But the view so nice, no wonder so many people come here and jump.
Terry: [pulls Jiale away from parapet and slaps him, then in emotional tone] You think killing yourself is so funny, huh?

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Soundtracks

Kahapon at pag-ibig
Written by Lolita Carbon
Performed by Asin
Courtesy of Lolita Carbon

User Reviews

SINGAPOREAN "ROMA"

This is a lovely little movie. A precursor to Roma. One wonders if it influenced Roma. Like Roma, it deals with the life of a maid deep in the family circle of an ordinary family in Singapore.

This is a heartwarming and deeply realistic insight into life in Singapore in the 90s and the harsh life of so many Philippina working as housemaids across the world.

Some terrific acting from a great cast.

The movie could have been a little shorter, otherwise I would have given it a 10.

Well worth a watch.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Singapore Japan Taiwan France

Language:

Mandarin Tagalog English Hokkien

Release Date:

29 August 2013 (Singapore)

Also Known As:

Ilo Ilo

Filming Locations:

Singapore

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,775, 6 April 2014

Gross USA:

$56,773

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,234,100

Company Credits

Production Co:

Singapore Film Commission, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Fisheye Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1