Synopsis
BE WITH ME, the new film by Eric Khoo (MEE POK MAN, 12 STOREYS) is a tapestry of stories woven around the themes of love, hope and destiny. The characters lead separate lives but are bound by one common desire - to be with their loved one. The protagonists in the movie are fictitious bar one - Theresa Chan, a courageous deaf and blind woman whose life story inspired BE WITH ME.
Director's Statement
Love, Hope and Destiny. For more than a year, my co-writer Wong Kim Hoh and I grappled and struggled, trying to pin these themes down in a script.
It was only in the summer of 2003 that fate brought Theresa Chan - who’s deaf and blind - into our lives at a wedding dinner. When she learned that I make films, she immediately told me that I should make one about hope. I thought to myself: “How ironic … that’s what we’ve been desperately trying to do.’’
Overwhelmed by her personality and vigour for life, I asked if she’d act for me. Without any hesitation, she lifted her wine glass and said loudly: “On!”
We began to communicate through letters. I discovered that this one person represented everything I wanted to say in the film. What followed was a Parker pen from her in the Christmas of 2003 and on my birthday in March 2004, a watch. I got her hint … start writing and stop wasting precious time.
In the fall of 2004, we wrapped BE WITH ME in 16 days.
It was only in the summer of 2003 that fate brought Theresa Chan - who’s deaf and blind - into our lives at a wedding dinner. When she learned that I make films, she immediately told me that I should make one about hope. I thought to myself: “How ironic … that’s what we’ve been desperately trying to do.’’
Overwhelmed by her personality and vigour for life, I asked if she’d act for me. Without any hesitation, she lifted her wine glass and said loudly: “On!”
We began to communicate through letters. I discovered that this one person represented everything I wanted to say in the film. What followed was a Parker pen from her in the Christmas of 2003 and on my birthday in March 2004, a watch. I got her hint … start writing and stop wasting precious time.
In the fall of 2004, we wrapped BE WITH ME in 16 days.
Director's Biography
Eric Khoo put Singapore on the international film map with his first feature film MEE POK MAN (1995), picking up prizes at Fukuoka, Pusan and Singapore. His second feature 12 STOREYS (1997) won the Federation of International Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award and the UOB Young Cinema Award at the 10th Singapore International Festival, and the Golden Maile Award for Best Picture at the 17th Hawaii International Film Festival. More importantly, 12 STOREYS was invited officially to participate in the 50th Cannes Film Festival (1997).
In 1998, Eric Khoo was ranked as one of the 25 exceptional trend makers of Asia by Asiaweek magazine.
Filmography:
2005 BE WITH ME
1997 12 STOREYS
1995 MEE POK MAN
1994 PAIN, short
1993 SYMPHONY 92.4 FM, short
1992 CARCASS, short
1991 AUGUST, short
1990 BARBIE DIGS JOE, short
In 1998, Eric Khoo was ranked as one of the 25 exceptional trend makers of Asia by Asiaweek magazine.
Filmography:
2005 BE WITH ME
1997 12 STOREYS
1995 MEE POK MAN
1994 PAIN, short
1993 SYMPHONY 92.4 FM, short
1992 CARCASS, short
1991 AUGUST, short
1990 BARBIE DIGS JOE, short
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Eric Khoo
Written by: Wong Kim Hoh, Eric Khoo
Produced by: Brian Hong
Cinematography: Adrian Tan
Editing: Low Hwee Ling
Cast: Lawrence Yong (son), Lynn Poh (Ann), Ezann Lee (Jackie), Samantha Tan (Sam), Seet Keng Yew (security guard), Chiew Sung Ching (father)
Nominations and Awards
- Screen International Award (for a non-European film) 2005
