Apart from the LGBT theme, #lookatme reveals the danger and power of words in the internet age whereby words can as much elevate a person as it can destroy one. An impulsive vlog by the protagonist Sean has caused the whole family to suffer in extreme ways. Loosely based on events that happened in Singapore, Ken Kwek's #lookatme dealing with themes of LGBT, religion, effects of social media - is really not just about Singapore as these issues can happen anywhere in the world. Teetering between facts and fiction, #lookstme that is heartwarming, funny, and thought-provoking; it's a movie worth watching for Singaporeans and global audience alike!
12 Reviews
Pamela Oei is Outstanding!
yenyen-114571 May 2023
Ken Kwek's "#lookatme" is a captivating film that delivers a biting commentary on the dangerous implications of our society's obsession with social media. The movie also bravely tackles sensitive topics such as religion and homophobia, offering a fresh and bold perspective on LGBTQ issues in Singapore.
One of the standout features of the film is Kwek's expert direction of the actors. Pamela Oei delivers an exceptional performance as Mom (Nancy Marzuki), portraying her character's sensitivity and thoughtfulness with depth and nuance. Additionally, Yao's portrayal of the Marzuki brothers is outstanding, particularly Sean M's transition from initial mischief to madness when he's imprisoned.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to see "#lookatme" is for Pamela Oei's masterful acting. She brings a level of authenticity and vulnerability to the role that is both powerful and memorable, making her performance alone worth the price of admission.
Overall, "#lookatme" is a must-watch film that challenges its audience to confront uncomfortable truths about our society.
Although the film is impressive overall, there are some areas where it could have been more nuanced. For instance, certain scenes, such as those set in the prison, felt somewhat prolonged and could have been trimmed down for better pacing. Additionally, some of the characters, particularly the antagonists, came across as somewhat one-dimensional caricatures, lacking the nuance that would have made them more compelling.
However, despite these shortcomings, the film is a powerful and moving work that offers a sense of solidarity to LGBTQ allies.
Looking to the future, one can only hope that more films will continue to explore these complex themes and foster a greater sense of empathy and understanding among all members of society.
One of the standout features of the film is Kwek's expert direction of the actors. Pamela Oei delivers an exceptional performance as Mom (Nancy Marzuki), portraying her character's sensitivity and thoughtfulness with depth and nuance. Additionally, Yao's portrayal of the Marzuki brothers is outstanding, particularly Sean M's transition from initial mischief to madness when he's imprisoned.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to see "#lookatme" is for Pamela Oei's masterful acting. She brings a level of authenticity and vulnerability to the role that is both powerful and memorable, making her performance alone worth the price of admission.
Overall, "#lookatme" is a must-watch film that challenges its audience to confront uncomfortable truths about our society.
Although the film is impressive overall, there are some areas where it could have been more nuanced. For instance, certain scenes, such as those set in the prison, felt somewhat prolonged and could have been trimmed down for better pacing. Additionally, some of the characters, particularly the antagonists, came across as somewhat one-dimensional caricatures, lacking the nuance that would have made them more compelling.
However, despite these shortcomings, the film is a powerful and moving work that offers a sense of solidarity to LGBTQ allies.
Looking to the future, one can only hope that more films will continue to explore these complex themes and foster a greater sense of empathy and understanding among all members of society.
Content like this will be looked back as so important in SG's history
kimannefair6 February 2023
This film is far more important than a piece of entertainment.
Set in and coming out of Singapore, a place where as of the time of this review, the LGBTQIA+ community still does not enjoy anywhere close to the same amount of rights as "straight/cis" people, this film joins the ranks of pieces of art that is brave enough to do the important work of amplifying stories and issues that DO exist in clean & green Singapore, but are always shoved under the rug.
The film is thoroughly engaging from start to end, and as a great and important note, lots of the cast members are part of SG's LGBTQIA+ community of members and allies and thus an integral part of this piece of work.
My only criticism is that, for a film marketed towards that community, it still places the "straight/cis" character front and center as the hero of the story.
That being said, I am grateful to every person involved for being some of the many daring artists willing to put their careers and names on the line to produce content like this that is still largely unwelcome in Singapore and has a very real potential to affect their working options in some way.
I hope one day we will all look back on this and other similar works of art as signs of an outdated era, rather than a continuing situation in Singapore.
Set in and coming out of Singapore, a place where as of the time of this review, the LGBTQIA+ community still does not enjoy anywhere close to the same amount of rights as "straight/cis" people, this film joins the ranks of pieces of art that is brave enough to do the important work of amplifying stories and issues that DO exist in clean & green Singapore, but are always shoved under the rug.
The film is thoroughly engaging from start to end, and as a great and important note, lots of the cast members are part of SG's LGBTQIA+ community of members and allies and thus an integral part of this piece of work.
My only criticism is that, for a film marketed towards that community, it still places the "straight/cis" character front and center as the hero of the story.
That being said, I am grateful to every person involved for being some of the many daring artists willing to put their careers and names on the line to produce content like this that is still largely unwelcome in Singapore and has a very real potential to affect their working options in some way.
I hope one day we will all look back on this and other similar works of art as signs of an outdated era, rather than a continuing situation in Singapore.
This needs to be watched!!!!
bluesisqo17 January 2023
A gripping story on a straight teenager's stance for LGBTQ+ rights, motivated to defend his own twin brother (excellent performance by Yao doing both roles). This is a film that delivers drama, humour, irony and most importantly hope. It's not a film just about the Community, but a film about the importance of justice, truth about hypocrisy and why humanity is critical in our crazy world to stay sane. May I just call out the outstanding performance by all the cast members and artistic vision by Ken, what an incredible achievement to have been produced with limited funding. Thought provoking and excellently produced, please go watch it!
Standing up for your brother has consequences.
JohnnyScot17 January 2023
Gripping account on how it feels to be at odds with some of your community whilst supported by others. Loyalties are tested in this story where the power of a viral video can have major consequences.
Really meaningful work from Ken Kwek and supporting team. It really brings to light how just being yourself, and speaking up is immeasurably harder when you or your sibling is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
The poignancy of parts combined with the dark humour of others made for a compelling watch.
Some notable performances. Yao plays two brothers with great effect. Touching and guenuine performance. My best actor goes to Pam Oei for a caring, devoted, loyal yet pragmatic Mother figure. If you were in this situation you'd want Pam's character rooting for you too. Highly recommended watch.
Really meaningful work from Ken Kwek and supporting team. It really brings to light how just being yourself, and speaking up is immeasurably harder when you or your sibling is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
The poignancy of parts combined with the dark humour of others made for a compelling watch.
Some notable performances. Yao plays two brothers with great effect. Touching and guenuine performance. My best actor goes to Pam Oei for a caring, devoted, loyal yet pragmatic Mother figure. If you were in this situation you'd want Pam's character rooting for you too. Highly recommended watch.
the risk of watching, of witnessing ...
jfwearspink17 January 2023
Every once in a while a film strikes you; even rarer are the moments in which they stay with you. The rarest, and most precious, of times are when - upon leaving the cinema; no when even while you are in the midst of encountering the world of the film - you are reminded of a tale that has always already been in you, and which is now being awakened.
#LookAtMe is one such film.
Which means that to watch it is to take a risk: for, you can never know what it is in you which has been awakened. For, one doesn't always like one's thoughts, what has been arisen in one, nor oneself, especially one's desires (our antagonist Pastor Josiah Long certainly doesn't; one might well speculate that neither did the censors from Singapore).
But what is life without risk: perhaps more importantly, is there even life without risks.
For, as the late great philosophy and psychoanalyst Anne Dufourmantelle continues to teach us, « to live is to risk » - that to live is always also to live-with, to be with another, to open oneself to the other. To take the risk to open ourselves to others, to those who are considered beyond the pale, to aspects of ourselves which remain in the dark.
To stand up for others who are being kept in the shadows.
And for that, we have to thank Ken Kwek: not just for showing us possibilities of doing so (Nancy Marzuki certainly does), for taking the risk to do so, but also for showing us that we can laugh whilst doing so.
For as Hannah Arendt teaches us, « the greatest enemy of authority is contempt, and the surest way to undermine it is laughter ».
#LookAtMe is one such film.
Which means that to watch it is to take a risk: for, you can never know what it is in you which has been awakened. For, one doesn't always like one's thoughts, what has been arisen in one, nor oneself, especially one's desires (our antagonist Pastor Josiah Long certainly doesn't; one might well speculate that neither did the censors from Singapore).
But what is life without risk: perhaps more importantly, is there even life without risks.
For, as the late great philosophy and psychoanalyst Anne Dufourmantelle continues to teach us, « to live is to risk » - that to live is always also to live-with, to be with another, to open oneself to the other. To take the risk to open ourselves to others, to those who are considered beyond the pale, to aspects of ourselves which remain in the dark.
To stand up for others who are being kept in the shadows.
And for that, we have to thank Ken Kwek: not just for showing us possibilities of doing so (Nancy Marzuki certainly does), for taking the risk to do so, but also for showing us that we can laugh whilst doing so.
For as Hannah Arendt teaches us, « the greatest enemy of authority is contempt, and the surest way to undermine it is laughter ».
Dark and deliciously funny
yeohjoann-3587119 January 2023
How often do we get a Singaporean film that dares to take on religion, gay rights, privilege, prison conditions? No need to answer me. The censorship board already has. (Thanks, guys! Love you too.)
#LookAtMe is a necessary film for this age of crazy. I love how it tackles so many uncomfortable things about Singapore and Singaporeans, how it growls at all the rampant hypocrisy, how it weeps for it. Made me laugh and cry and hiss and want to throw rocks at people and people at rocks. Excellent cast wrung emotions from me I wasn't aware I still had.
I wish more people could see it! Yes, that deserved an exclamation point.
#LookAtMe is a necessary film for this age of crazy. I love how it tackles so many uncomfortable things about Singapore and Singaporeans, how it growls at all the rampant hypocrisy, how it weeps for it. Made me laugh and cry and hiss and want to throw rocks at people and people at rocks. Excellent cast wrung emotions from me I wasn't aware I still had.
I wish more people could see it! Yes, that deserved an exclamation point.
Intense AF
profuse_notionl20 January 2023
If you need to get on an emotional rollercoaster for the kicks, there's no better way than to watch this film. Ken Kwek manages to rile you up first with righteous indignation, then lull you into complacency with impeccably timed comic spells, then shock you into gritting your teeth and gripping your seat.
#LookAtMe is storytelling mastery par excellence. Don't let the fact that it's been banned in its country of origin distract you from thoroughly enjoying this film. That meta fact acts as a teaser for some of the weirder things depicted in the film, which, if you live in Singapore with your eyes and ears open, you'd know to be fairly accurate.
Catch it or regret it!
#LookAtMe is storytelling mastery par excellence. Don't let the fact that it's been banned in its country of origin distract you from thoroughly enjoying this film. That meta fact acts as a teaser for some of the weirder things depicted in the film, which, if you live in Singapore with your eyes and ears open, you'd know to be fairly accurate.
Catch it or regret it!
#LookAtMe
darylqilinyam18 January 2023
Tackling a range of topics local filmmakers wouldn't (couldn't?) think of coming anywhere close to, #LookAtMe recasts Amos Yee and Lawrence Khong - archetypal figures, one might say, of a kind of contemporary Singaporean man - into a David-versus-Goliath film that is at once comedic and horrifying. As a storyteller myself, I couldn't help but think that the second act could have been more efficient in pushing our protagonist towards the film's final chapter; nonetheless, I also couldn't help but scream and cheer at the film's raucous ending, literalising for the audience what we've all surely thought about our antagonist and his real-life counterpart. Also: Pam Oei is a blast.
A great, important gift from and to Singapore
ericscottsmith24 January 2023
Recently saw this film and felt very much like Ken Kwek had taken me on an emotional roller coaster. The film, aside from being incredibly well shot and written, covers a broad range of issues ripped from the news in Singapore-but which have implications for communities around the world: the (very real) hypocrisy of evangelical leaders, the fear of speaking out in countries that punish free speech, and the ways in which families will sacrifice everything they have for one another.
The cast is superb. Yao is an actor to watch for sure. He carries almost every scene in the film as twins caught in the gears of the world around them, and through them we're allowed to see how destructive the world we've created can be for people who just want to live their authentic lives. He really is a truly talented young actor. Pam Oei, a Singaporean actress often associated with her comedic chops, also shines here as a mom who not only unconditionally supports her children but will do anything for them. Her performance is heartbreakingly sincere.
The film ends perfectly, which is such a hard landing to stick in any movie-perhaps more so when a final emotional catharsis is needed. Kwek nails it.
The cast is superb. Yao is an actor to watch for sure. He carries almost every scene in the film as twins caught in the gears of the world around them, and through them we're allowed to see how destructive the world we've created can be for people who just want to live their authentic lives. He really is a truly talented young actor. Pam Oei, a Singaporean actress often associated with her comedic chops, also shines here as a mom who not only unconditionally supports her children but will do anything for them. Her performance is heartbreakingly sincere.
The film ends perfectly, which is such a hard landing to stick in any movie-perhaps more so when a final emotional catharsis is needed. Kwek nails it.
Being a while since audience is so engaged
E-Calicoe27 February 2023
Being such a long while where I have been at a movie where the audience laugh as one, cheered and exclaim together.
A simple production that is at times raw, it hits you. It does showcase some underlying themes of the society that most people are afraid to know, thread or understand or challenge.
A lot of foreigners don't understand why Singaporeans got so much to complain about Singapore. Maybe this movie can help share such insights.
However, audience are to be careful with the opening statement. It's a fictional storyline, with inspiration from some real events. After all Amos is now locked up in US for his own crimes and is definitely not anyway close to be a hero in Singaporeans eyes.
A simple production that is at times raw, it hits you. It does showcase some underlying themes of the society that most people are afraid to know, thread or understand or challenge.
A lot of foreigners don't understand why Singaporeans got so much to complain about Singapore. Maybe this movie can help share such insights.
However, audience are to be careful with the opening statement. It's a fictional storyline, with inspiration from some real events. After all Amos is now locked up in US for his own crimes and is definitely not anyway close to be a hero in Singaporeans eyes.
Take a risk and see it for yourself
sakuragalactica24 January 2023
In #LookAtMe Ken Kwek covers dark issues in Singapore revolving around religion, LGBTQ+, social media and family, and the film allows the viewers to feel what it is to live in a country where living authentically can not only make someone's life very difficult but also destroy their family. The story takes dark turns and makes the viewers sad and shocked, but it's tied in with humor, family love and hope, which makes it a compelling watch. Among the stellar cast Yao plays both the twin brothers brilliantly, while Pam Oei delivers the most poignant performance as their mother. A very important film for Singapore and the world.
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