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Entertainment
Director of ‘The Assassin(s)’ to Open SGIFF Amid Calls to Ban Film
✍️ The Straits Times
🗓 22 Oct 2026, 02:42 AM
👁 11
The director of the controversial film ‘The Assassin(s)’ will officially open the Singapore International Film Festival, despite public demands to withdraw the movie.
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has confirmed that the filmmaker behind the contentious movie "The Assassin(s)" will be the chief guest to inaugurate this year’s edition. The festival, which showcases a diverse slate of regional and global cinema, is set to begin later this week.
The director’s selection has sparked a wave of criticism from groups who argue that the film’s subject matter is offensive and have called for its removal from the festival programme. Despite these protests, SGIFF organisers have upheld the invitation, citing the importance of artistic expression and the festival’s role as a platform for challenging works.
Organisers added that the festival will proceed with the scheduled screenings, including "The Assassin(s)", while ensuring that audience members are informed about the film’s content. The decision underscores SGIFF’s commitment to defending creative freedom even amid public controversy.
The director’s selection has sparked a wave of criticism from groups who argue that the film’s subject matter is offensive and have called for its removal from the festival programme. Despite these protests, SGIFF organisers have upheld the invitation, citing the importance of artistic expression and the festival’s role as a platform for challenging works.
Organisers added that the festival will proceed with the scheduled screenings, including "The Assassin(s)", while ensuring that audience members are informed about the film’s content. The decision underscores SGIFF’s commitment to defending creative freedom even amid public controversy.