Two interns form a bond when they stay to take calls for a talk show amidst a controversial book-banning incident in Singapore. But when their personal convictions are put to the test, it soon becomes clear that surfaces reflect only what we want to see.

BACKGROUND:

In July 2014, Singapore’s National Library Board sought to ‘pulp’ three children’s titles from its libraries, citing a ‘pro-family’ stance in face of the books’ references to same-sex parenting. By the time public debate ensued, one title had already been discarded. The remaining two titles were eventually re-shelved into the adult section.

Director's Note: 

In a global climate rife with (mis)judgement and misconception, conflict is often borne out of an imposition of individual standards of morality and complicated by our innate fear of the unknown. 

When we cling tighter to our beliefs, to what degree do we mirror each other in opposition? How easily are we misdirected by the limits of our perception? 

Inspired by actual events, Late Night Talk Show examines the duality between our attachment to our own deeply held ideals, and our hunger for affinity. It’s only when we're open to listening without judgement that we’re able to find deeper and more genuine connection – and begin the necessary work of understanding another. 

I wrote this film also because I wanted to portray young Singaporeans in an intelligent and emotionally complex light; to capture a glimpse of the depth and range with which we each react, challenge, and adapt to the cultures and systems we’ve lived in; and to see if these arbitrary boundaries could be navigated with more grace.