Toronto Film Festival Dailies

Directed by Anthony Chen, director of Ilo Ilo (Cannes Golden Camera 2013).
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VARIETY

“Without artificial-seeming contrivance, Chen masterfully builds resonance through rhyming scenes, repeated images and reoccurring dialogue.”

“With the bittersweet drama “Wet Season,” Singapore writer-director Anthony Chen again proves himself a perceptive observer of life and social class in his tropical nation-state and a sensitive chronicler of issues confronting women. Set during monsoon season, Chen’s delicate, nuanced portrait of the heartbreaks afflicting a dedicated schoolteacher and dutiful wife is suffused with love and humor, and directed with striking maturity and restraint.”

“Like his 2013 debut, the Cannes Camera d’Or-winner “Ilo Ilo,” this sophomore feature draws on details from his personal life and further benefits from the casting of two of that film’s leading players: the luminous Yann Yann Yeo as the vulnerable educator and the vibrant Koh Jia Ler as her student."

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“A poignantly drawn affair.”

“Has a Haneke-esque tone to it (The Piano Teacher especially comes to mind).”

“Wet Season marks a skillfully observant sophomore effort from Singaporean director Anthony Chen.”

“It draws sharp characterizations along with a disparaging critique of Singapore’s sexist upper-class citizenry.”

“Yann Yann Yeo is excellent.”

“Premiering in Toronto’s Platform competition, Wet Season could see further fest action and pickups abroad.”

SCREEN

“The unexpected bond between a Singapore teacher and her student unfolds with an understanding and sensitivity that leaves a warm afterglow.”

“Chen invests so much in the needs and flaws of the central duo that you want to see how it plays out.”

“The sense of upheaval and change is both highly personal and political.”

“A delicate handling of complex relationships.”

“Yann Yann Yeo’s stoical Ling and the naive ardour of Koh Jia Ler’s puppy-like Wei Lin are persuasively pitched, involving the audience in what becomes a defining moment for both of them.”

“The film will be welcomed by festivals, and secure the critical support to achieve arthouse impact.”

LETTERBOXD USERS REVIEWS

“Humanistic and what a provocative 3rd act. Very exciting to see more films coming from Asia speaking about women identity.”

“Very tempered and is still keeping me thinking about it.”

IN THE SEATS

3,5 stars/5

“This is a stimulating art film that offers a lot.”

“Cinematographer Sam Care’s excellent camerawork, frequently composing of pulled back shots that occur with little movement.”
 

LIVE FOR FILM

“Yeo Yann Yann gives a strong performance as the perpetually suffering Ling without delving into melodrama and Yang Shi Bin gives a touching performance as the invalid patriarch.”
 

LA JORNADA (Mex)

“With an elegant camera that watches its characters from a distance, the film involves us in the complicated emotions of its protagonist.”