Last night, South Korean director Hur Jin-ho’s The Assassin(s) opened the 37th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) despite calls in Korea for it to be withdrawn, praising the festival for giving the film “creative freedom and expression.” The film screened at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, on 21 October, kicking off SGIFF 2026.
Cameras flashed, and fans cheered as Hur joined global icon Aamir Khan, filmmaker Peter Chan, Mediacorp Artiste and Festival Ambassador Rebecca Lim, and Singapore screen talents and filmmakers including Tan Kheng Hua, Rishi Budhrani, Benjamin Kheng, Nelson Yeo and Ang Geck Geck on the red carpet.
“The magic of opening night at SGIFF never gets old. This year’s line-up is bold, engaging and has something for everyone, but what makes SGIFF special is the chance to sit in the same room as the biggest names in cinema and hear their stories first-hand. With the line-up and sessions planned this year, audiences are truly in for something unforgettable,” said Boo Junfeng, Chairperson, SGIFF.
The Assassin(s) is set in 1974 and follows the attempted assassination of Korean president Park Chung-hee on 15 August that year. It stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho.
Hur said the historical event had left a lasting impression on him from childhood.
Read more: SGIFF 2026 Opens With South Korean Thriller ‘The Assassin(s)’; Singapore Cinema Takes Centre Stage
“So this incident (the attempted assassination of Korean President Park Chung-hee) happened when I was 10 or 11 years old, and it left a very strong impression on me. After I grew up, I saw the hidden parts that were not reported, and I really wanted to bring them out. I think it left a strong impression on me, and so with my desire to want to know the truth, I decided to make this film.”
He said he was curious how Singapore audiences would respond to a film set in a period before K-pop’s global rise, and hoped they would connect with its portrayal of people pursuing truth under repression.
“I’m very curious about the audience’s reaction, as it’s set in 1974, when K-pop wasn’t very popular yet. So even though it was a very sad era, what I hope to bring out is the people who want to seek and expose the truth despite being in an oppressed society; that’s what I hope you’ll try to catch in watching my film.”
Hur thanked SGIFF for standing by the film after opposition politicians in Korea called for it to be pulled from the festival.
“I’m very honoured and happy that The Assassin(s) was chosen as the festival opening of the Singapore International Film Festival. Everyone in the opposition party in Korea wanted the film withdrawn, but we stood our ground to screen it.”
“It was a very courageous move, and it shows the spirit of the creatives around the world. We are very thankful to the Singapore International Film Festival for giving us creative freedom and expression for tonight. It is a great encouragement to the producers, filmmakers, and actors.”
More than 25 Singapore productions and co-productions feature in this year’s festival, including films recognised at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice and Annecy film festivals.
Read more: Ang Geck Geck Says ‘Ah Girl’ Was More Than 10 Years in the Making
Ah Girl’s 30 October screening has already sold out, while Nelson Yeo’s The House on the Moon — which premiered in the main competition at Locarno Film Festival — opens the Foreground section with its Singapore premiere on 24 October.
Two of the three Singapore Panorama short film programmes have also sold out. Ah Girl, 9 Temples to Heaven, The Burning Giants and Four Seasons in Java are competing in the festival’s Asian Feature Film Competition.
“The response after a record-breaking year shows that audiences’ appetite for cinema remains strong and is here to stay. Asian stories are reaching audiences around the world, and it is encouraging to see that unwavering support here at home, too. This year, we are giving everyone more ways to experience the festival, from live performances and talks on immersive technology to programmes for our youngest audiences. The return of the SGIFF Film Fund also allows us to extend our support for filmmakers beyond the festival,” said Jeremy Chua, Executive Director of SGIFF.
What not to miss
Supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SGIFF runs until 1 November. Highlights include:
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Aamir Khan in Singapore: Screen Icon Award recipient Aamir Khan joins filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker for a Special Presentation and 25th anniversary screening of Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India on 23 October at GV VivoCity.
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Undercurrent: Three live performances and seven screenings blend moving images with other art forms.
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Junior Explorers: Children and families can discover cinema through selected relaxed screenings and post-screening activities.
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Parallax: A free series of talks and demonstrations explores filmmaking and immersive technology.
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A Grand Finale with Vintage Violence: SGIFF presents its first dedicated Festival Closing since 2014 with the Asian premiere of Vintage Violence on 1 November at Capitol Theatre. Director Eugene Kotlyarenko and stars Cole Sprouse and Kiko Mizuhara will attend, and join an In Conversation With on 31 October at 11am at the National Museum of Singapore.
As SGIFF 2026 unfolds, the festival continues to affirm the power of film to bring people together — from sold-out sessions to conversations with some of cinema’s most celebrated names.
