Demons

Ambitious young actress Vicki lands the starring role in a promising theatre production in Singapore. What seems like the opportunity of a lifetime, however, turns out to be the beginning of a story of creeping abuse at the hands of director Daniel, for whom sadistic violence and artistic practice are inseparable. But power dynamics can change . . .
In Demons, Daniel Hui plumbs the depths of his protagonists’ emotional states in profound, intricate fashion in both rehearsal scenes and in their private lives, bringing to light bitter truths about power structures and dependencies in the world of art and culture, which can be based on psychic pressure and manipulation. At the same time, the film serves as a societal seismograph, affording the viewer pitiless glimpses into the darkest corners of interpersonal relationships. Aided by a sophisticated sound design, Hui folds a complex mixture of horror and satirical elements into this story of mysterious ghosts. These various spectres appear in the plot like eruptive manifestations of the human psyche – and spin increasingly out of control. Sometimes it’s better to leave the genie in the bottle.
by Daniel Hui
with Yang Yanxuan Vicki, Glen Goei, Viknesh Kobinathan, Eshley Gao, Tan Bee Thiam, Daniel Hui, Violet Goh
Singapore 2018 English, Mandarin 83’ Colour & Black/White

With

  • Yang Yanxuan Vicki (Vicki)
  • Glen Goei (Daniel)
  • Viknesh Kobinathan (Viknesh)
  • Eshley Gao (Ashley)
  • Tan Bee Thiam (Assistant Director)
  • Daniel Hui (John)
  • Violet Goh (Strange Woman)

Crew

Written and Directed by Daniel Hui
Cinematography Looi Wan Ping
Editing Daniel Hui
Music Wuttipong Leetrakul, Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr
Sound Design Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr
Sound Alex Herboche
Costumes Dinu Bodiciu
Make-Up Jeffrey Linus Lee
Producers Tan Bee Thiam, Daniel Hui, Naoko Ishise

Produced by

13 Little Pictures

JackFruit International

Daniel Hui

Born in Singapore in 1986. He studied Film at the California Institute of the Arts. Demons is his third feature-length film.

Filmography

2011 Eclipses; 105 min. 2014 Snakeskin; 105 min. 2018 Demons

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2019