It's monsoon and it's raining heavily in Singapore. Chinese teacher Ling (Yeo Yann Yann) drives to the school where she teaches. Prepares meals, does his shopping, corrects homework and especially takes care of his stepfather, nailed to a wheelchair. In business, Ling's husband is rarely at home. They struggle to have a child. Eyes off, sad and tired face, the young woman accomplishes her tasks like an automaton.
Seeming to have no taste for anything. Except maybe in front of his students. But the Chinese she teaches is considered a minor subject in high school. Everyone is not interested. Except Wei Lun (Koh Jia Ler) that parents would "kill" if he was not a regular student, he said. The latter shine by their absence.
Read also: Ilo Ilo : being 10 years old in Singapore
The adolescent quickly becomes the only pupil of Ling. Little by little, links are created. One rainy day, she brings him home. Another, they share a durian in the classroom and then meet at Ling's to work (nice scene between Wei Lun and the stepfather who can no longer speak). Circumstances bring them together. Starting to spark questioning glances from a colleague at Ling.
Minimalist touches
With minimalist touches, delicately, Anthony Chen, 35, paints a portrait of a woman today. Whose schedule leaves him little leisure. Isolated, unloved, unable to play and his role as wife and mother. Withdrawn from his suffering, Ling lets nothing show through. Only a child could get her out of her monotonous torpor. Give him hope for a better life.
The shadow of Kore-eda hangs over the story and the staging of “Wet Season”The Singaporean director revealed with his first feature film Ilo Ilo (golden camera at the Directors' Fortnight in Cannes) shows him abandoned to his thoughts. At the wheel of his car or during lessons, standing in front of a window overlooking the city. Inspired by the Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershoi. Again and again in the pouring rain. The "music" of the film.
Kore-eda's shadow hangs over the history and staging of Wet Season . Psychologists knowledgeable, connoisseurs of the feminine heart, the two filmmakers are both attentive to the inextricable tangle of family relationships, also of the couple. And sensitive to weather variations.
Read also: Hirokazu Kore-eda, false calm and real palm
Anthony Chen spent three years writing the screenplay for this film. With a master's degree in directing from the National Film and Television School in England, he has already made several short films, including Ah Ma ( Grandma ) who obtained a special mention at Cannes in 2007.
In the moving Wet Season , he once again directs the two actors of Ilo Ilo , Yeo Yann Yann and the young Koh Jia Ler, who has grown up.
”Wet Season, drama by Anthony Chen, with Yann Yann Yeo, Christopher Ming-Shun Lee… Duration: 1h43.
