Glen Goei (; born 22 December 1962) is one of Singapore's leading film and theatre directors. His broad ranging body of work embraces the full gamut of the performing and visual arts and includes film, theatre, musicals, large scale shows, World Expos, dance, music, and architectural design.
Glen Goei was the artistic director of Mu-Lan Arts in London from 1990 to 1998. It was the first Asian theatre company to be established in the United Kingdom. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director of the Singaporean theatre company, W!LD RICE.
Goei's film "Forever Fever" was the first Singapore film to achieve a worldwide commercial release. The film was distributed in America and the UK by Miramax, which then signed him on an exclusive three-picture deal.
In 1994, he received the National Youth Award for his contribution to the arts from Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Early life.
Born on 22 December 1962 and the youngest of seven children, Goei attended the Anglo Chinese School in Singapore from 1969 to 1980, then Jesus College, Cambridge University, in the UK from 1983 to 1986, where he earned his B.A. Honors, M.A. in history. He spent the next two years at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, receiving a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama, and later studied filmmaking at New York University (1994-1995).
Career.
Goei's professional career started with his Olivier Award-nominated performance in the title role of "M. Butterfly" opposite Anthony Hopkins in London's West End. It grew through his multi-award-winning tenure as Producer and artistic director of Mu-Lan Arts in London - the first Asian theatre company to be established in the United Kingdom. Mu-Lan's productions, like "The Magic Fundoshi", garnered acclaim in London, Singapore and worldwide - including awards for Best Original Play, Best Production and Best Comedy at the "Sunday Times" Fringe Awards.
In 1998, Goei's film career began with his first feature "Forever Fever" (a.k.a. "That's The Way I Like It"), which he wrote, produced and directed. The film was produced under his production company, TigerTiger Productions. It was the first Singapore film to achieve a worldwide commercial release after being picked up by Miramax for distribution in America and the UK. Following its success, Miramax signed him on an exclusive three-picture deal.
His second film "The Blue Mansion" had its commercial release in October 2009. It was shown at the Pusan and the Tokyo International Film Festivals. Filmed at the historic Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Penang, the murder-mystery revolves around a wealthy man who dies suddenly and returns as a ghost to uncover the circumstances surrounding his death.
In 2013, Goei announced that acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle will be shooting his third film, "Yellow Flowers", a.k.a. "The Hangman’s Breakfast". Written by playwright Haresh Sharma, the film touches upon Singapore's death penalty, telling the story of a single mother Eleanor on death row for unknowingly smuggling drugs, her rebellious only child who refuses to visit her, Eleanor's young lawyer Nadya who also has issues with her own mother, and the prison's reluctant executioner Gopal, who develops a friendship with Eleanor.
In 2014, Goei wrote his first book for children, "Little Red in the Hood", which transplanted the traditional fairy tale to a Singapore setting. Published by Epigram Books, the children's picture book was illustrated by Drewscape, and a part of its proceeds went to charity.
In 2015, Goei's film project, "Revenge of the" "Pontianak", was selected to be one of the 10 films to be part of the Berlinale Talent Project Market at the Berlin International Film Festival. "Revenge of the" "Pontianak" pays homage to the popular Malay horror films produced by the Shaw and Cathay studios in Singapore back in the 1950s and is produced by Tan Bee Thiam. Filming began in Malaysia in 2018, with Gavin Yap joining the production as co-director. "Revenge of the Pontianak" is set to have its theatrical release in August 2019.
Underpinning Goei's work in film has been his constant and substantial contribution to Singapore theatre, principally as Associate Artistic Director of the acclaimed Singapore company, W!LD RICE and frequent director for the most commercially successful company, Dream Academy. His productions for W!LD RICE have included hits such as "Boeing Boeing", "The Magic Fundoshi", "Blithe Spirit", "Emily of Emerald Hill", "La Cage aux Folles" and his internationally lauded interpretation of "The Importance of Being Earnest". Goei's work with Dream Academy includes the hugely popular "The Revenge of The Dim Sum Dollies", "Dim Sum Dollies - The History of Singapore Part 1 and 2", "The Little Shop of Horrors" and "Into The Woods".
Personal life.
Goei is openly gay. He lives in Singapore with his partner and is an advocate for LGBT+ rights. He is a key figure behind the Ready4Repeal campaign, a petition urging the Government of Singapore to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises sex between mutually consenting adult men.
References.
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