Films A to Z

Runtime:

83 min.

Year of Production:

2018

Country:

Singapore

Director:

Daniel Hui

Cast:

Yanxuan Vicki Yang
Glen Goei
Viknesh Kobinathan
Eshley Gao
Tan Bee Thiam
Daniel Hui
Violet Goh

Production Company:

13 Little Pictures

Berlinale Section:

Forum

Berlinale Category:

Feature Film

Ambitious young actress Vicki lands the starring role in a promising theatre production in Singapore. What seems like the opportunity of a lifetime, however, turns out to be the beginning of a story of creeping abuse at the hands of director Daniel, for whom sadistic violence and artistic practice are inseparable. But power dynamics can change . . .
In Demons, Daniel Hui plumbs the depths of his protagonists’ emotional states in profound, intricate fashion in both rehearsal scenes and in their private lives, bringing to light bitter truths about power structures and dependencies in the world of art and culture, which can be based on psychic pressure and manipulation. At the same time, the film serves as a societal seismograph, affording the viewer pitiless glimpses into the darkest corners of interpersonal relationships. Aided by a sophisticated sound design, Hui folds a complex mixture of horror and satirical elements into this story of mysterious ghosts. These various spectres appear in the plot like eruptive manifestations of the human psyche – and spin increasingly out of control. Sometimes it’s better to leave the genie in the bottle.

FILMOGRAFIE Daniel Hui (selection)

2018 Demons  2014 Snakeskin  2013 Animal Spirits  2011 Eclipses  2009 One Day in June  2008 Dreams of Youth  2007 The Bracelet 

Official Website
Daniel Hui @ IMDb
Trailer
Interview on 'Demons'

back to overview