Singapore’s ambitious wuxia science-fiction epic “The House on the Moon” has landed a major global distribution deal, with Parallax Films joining as worldwide sales agent ahead of the film’s global debut at the 79th Locarno Film Festival. Helmed by Nelson Yeo and co-written with Vicki Yang, the film constitutes a landmark achievement for Singapore cinema as both the country’s first wuxia feature and its first production produced using digital production technology. Taking cues from Chinese mythology—specifically the legend of moon goddess Chang’e and archer Hou Yi—the film combines martial-arts storytelling with science-fiction elements, marking a significant milestone for the Southeast Asian film industry on the international stage.
A Significant Achievement for Southeast Asian Film Industry
Nelson Yeo’s comeback at the Locarno Film Festival marks a triumphant moment for the director, who previously achieved a landmark milestone in 2023 when his debut feature “Dreaming & Dying” became the first Southeast Asian film to win both the Golden Leopard in the Filmmakers of the Present competition and the festival’s Best Debut Film award. With “The House on the Moon” now participating in the principal international category, Yeo has established himself firmly as one of the region’s leading creative talents. The director conveyed his deep appreciation for the opportunity, stating to Variety: “Returning to Locarno with ‘The House on the Moon’ seems like the stars have aligned. A few years ago, this felt like reaching for the moon – and we have.”
The film’s creation represents a joint success throughout multiple territories and production outfits. Momo Film Co—part of the global media powerhouse Fremantle—partnered with Aview Images to create the film, with additional support from co-producers Weydemann Bros., 9LB Film and KawanKawan Media. Financing came from the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), while the Singapore Film Commission’s VP Grant provided crucial backing. This cross-border production arrangement showcases the increasing sophistication of Southeast Asian film and its ability to draw funding and talent throughout the area and further afield.
- Singapore’s first wuxia motion picture ever produced
- Country’s inaugural feature film using virtual production techniques
- Draws from Chinese legendary tales of Chang’e and Hou Yi
- Parallax Films maintains global exclusive distribution rights
Combining Ancient Mythology with Advanced Technology
The Creative Vision
“The House on the Moon” represents a daring creative undertaking that marries two apparently distinct storytelling traditions. Director Nelson Yeo and co-writer Vicki Yang have crafted a narrative that respects the traditional wuxia style—cherished throughout East Asia for its tales of martial-arts heroes and ethical depth—whilst embracing the speculative possibilities of science fiction. By grounding the narrative in the ancient myth of moon goddess Chang’e and the legendary archer Hou Yi, the filmmakers ground their futuristic vision in mythological resonance, forging a bridge between ancient tradition and modern creativity.
The ensemble cast assembled for the film project demonstrates the film’s aims to deliver compelling performances alongside its technological advances. Heading the cast are Lim Shi-An as Chang Er and Dominick Rustam as Hou Yi, with additional roles from respected performers featuring Lee Kang-sheng, recognised for his partnerships with acclaimed Taiwanese auteur Tsai Ming-liang. The cast’s standard suggests that Yeo has emphasised narrative depth and genuine character portrayal alongside the film’s visual grandeur, ensuring that the legendary tale continues to be emotionally resonant throughout.
What truly distinguishes “The House on the Moon” is its innovative use of virtual production technology—a filmmaking approach that leverages real-time computer graphics and LED volume stages to generate immersive digital environments. By establishing itself as Singapore’s first feature film to implement this state-of-the-art methodology, the production demonstrates the nation’s expanding technical capabilities within the film industry. This technique allows filmmakers to render complex science-fiction worlds immediately, offering enhanced directorial authority and efficiency whilst preserving the artistic integrity required to bringing Yeo’s vision to fruition.
Director Nelson Yeo’s Upward Momentum
Nelson Yeo has positioned himself as one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting contemporary filmmakers through a blend of artistic ambition and technological advancement. His earlier film, “Dreaming & Dying,” premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2023 and attained a remarkable distinction by establishing itself as the inaugural Southeast Asian production to obtain both the Golden Leopard in the Filmmakers of the Present competition and the festival’s Best First Feature award. This dual accolade signalled the arrival of a unique creative perspective able to connecting with international audiences and critical establishments alike, paving the way for his later works to garner significant attention within the global film community.
With “The House on the Moon,” Yeo has taken a considerable creative leap, engaging with an intricate cross-genre work that most directors would avoid in their formative professional period. His return to Locarno represents a rare achievement for a filmmaker from Southeast Asia—securing the festival’s international competition slot for a second consecutive feature demonstrates both the calibre of his filmmaking and the festival’s belief in his artistic path. Yeo’s willingness to push technical and storytelling limits whilst remaining grounded in stories grounded in culture positions him as a director able to connect regional and global cinema, potentially opening doors for fellow Southeast Asian filmmakers to pursue similarly ambitious projects on the world stage.
| Film | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Dreaming & Dying | First Southeast Asian film to win Golden Leopard and Best First Feature at Locarno 2023 |
| The House on the Moon | Singapore’s first wuxia feature and first feature using virtual production technology |
| The House on the Moon | Selected for international competition at 79th Locarno Film Festival |
Production and International Collaboration
Backstage View
“The House on the Moon” represents a substantial joint undertaking throughout various regions and film studios, showcasing the growing cross-border character of contemporary Asian cinema. The film is created by Tan Si En, Wendy Lie and Kuek Shee Heng for Momo Film Co, which functions within the broader Fremantle group, in partnership with Aview Images. This joint venture unites Singapore’s creative infrastructure with global filmmaking knowledge, enabling the achievement of a highly advanced project. Co-producers Weydemann Bros., 9LB Film and KawanKawan Media further expand the production’s geographical footprint, whilst funding assistance from Taiwan’s Creative Content Agency and Singapore’s Film Commission demonstrates the local dedication to nurturing compelling regional narratives that can compete on the worldwide market.
- Ensemble cast features Lim Shi-An, Dominick Rustam and Akira Huang in key parts
- Virtual production techniques employed for the first occasion in Singapore feature film production
- Financing obtained from Taiwan Creative Content Agency and Singapore Film Commission
- Production partnership features Fremantle-backed Momo Film Co and Aview Images
- Production partners cover multiple countries including Germany, Singapore and Malaysia regions
International Objectives and Festival Acclaim
Director Nelson Yeo’s career path has been characterised by outstanding success at some of Europe’s finest cinema festivals. His debut feature “Dreaming & Dying” achieved a historic milestone at Locarno in 2023, becoming the inaugural Southeast Asian picture to win both the Golden Leopard in the Filmmakers of the Present competition and the festival’s Best First Feature award. That landmark success established Yeo as a notable voice in world filmmaking, demonstrating that Southeast Asian filmmakers could compete at the top tier of international film festivals. His subsequent appearance at Locarno with “The House on the Moon” represents a continuation of this ascending path, with the film selected for the festival’s esteemed international competition section at its 79th edition.
The appointment of Parallax Films as international sales agent underscores the production’s commercial potential and international appeal. Parallax holds exclusive distribution control in the majority of territories, with limited exclusions in German-speaking regions, Taiwan and Singapore—territories where domestic distributors will manage distribution. This carefully structured deal demonstrates faith in the project’s commercial appeal whilst honouring local partnerships and territory-specific market factors. For Yeo, the moment carries distinct meaning: “Returning to Locarno with ‘The House on the Moon’ feels like the stars have aligned. A few years ago, this seemed like reaching for the moon – and we have,” he noted, encapsulating the progression from bold vision to accomplished worldwide project.