Ong Keng Sen's "The House of Janus" Premieres at the 35th Singapore Film Festival

After a 28-year hiatus, celebrated Singaporean director and artistic visionary Ong Keng Sen returns to the film industry with The House of Janus. Known for his success with Army Daze (1996), which gained a strong following and achieved commercial success, Ong now presents a deeply personal and reflective work.

The House of Janus will debut at the 35th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), where it will be featured in the festival’s renowned Undercurrent section. The screenings will include a Q&A session with the filmmakers.

Event Details

World Premiere: December 1, 2024, at 7:30 PM
Location: Golden Village Cineleisure, Hall 2
(Includes Q&A session with the filmmakers)
Additional Screening: December 6, 2024, at 5:00 PM
Location: Filmgarde Kallang, Hall 3
Tickets: Available on the SGIFF website.

A Cinematic Exploration of Life and Legacy

Set against the serene landscape of Bettona, Italy, The House of Janus delves into profound themes of life, love, and mortality. The narrative centers on Adriaan, a 90-year-old man facing the reality of leaving behind the house he built, known as Casa Giano, the “House of Janus.”

Drawing inspiration from the classic opera Dido and Aeneas and the mythological figure Janus, the Roman god of transitions, the film examines existence and human experience. As Ong Keng Sen describes it, The House of Janus is a “love story between a human and a house,” intertwining the ephemeral nature of human life with the endurance of architecture to create a unique reflection on time and memory.

Exploring the Themes of Janus

The title The House of Janus refers to the two-faced god, who looks both to the past and future, symbolizing life and death. This theme permeates the film as it addresses the passage of time and the enduring influence of our creations.

Through Adriaan’s story, the film invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with time, legacy, and the spaces they inhabit.

Ong Keng Sen’s return to cinema is marked by passion and purpose. As he notes, “Today, the world is transformed with different uncertainties. I return to film with The House of Janus, a passion project, with all the confidence of my hybrid oeuvre to make the film that I want.”

A Bold Addition to SGIFF’s Undercurrent Section

The House of Janus is featured in SGIFF’s Undercurrent section, which showcases bold, experimental works that explore uncharted territories in cinema. Known for spotlighting films that push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking, this section aligns well with Ong’s avant-garde style.

Audiences are invited to experience a film that challenges conventional storytelling while exploring profound philosophical themes.

Digital Season 2024: Expanding the Conversation

Complementing the premiere of The House of Janus, T:>Works will also launch its Digital Season 2024. This initiative offers a curated collection of hybrid and digital works from past Per°Form presentations and ADA Public Lectures.

T:>Works encourages support for this digital platform, which sustains its cultural initiatives and expands its reach.

Upcoming Projects: Dido and Aeneas in Yokohama

In another exciting development, Ong Keng Sen’s reinterpretation of Dido and Aeneas will be presented in Yokohama, Japan, in collaboration with the Yokohama Belindas.

The production, which challenges traditional interpretations of the iconic opera by Henry Purcell, will be part of the Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting (YPAM) in December.

Fans of Ong’s work are invited to catch the performance if they happen to be in Japan during this period.

Read more about Dido and Aeneas here and subscribe to T:>Works here.

Watch The House of Janus’ trailer below: