Anthony Chen’s ‘We Are All Strangers’ Garners Acclaim at Berlin Film Festival

Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen’s latest operate, We Are All Strangers, has received a rapturous reception at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, marking a significant milestone as the first Singaporean film to compete for the prestigious Golden Bear award . The film premiered on February 16, 2026, at the Berlinale Palast, eliciting emotional responses from audiences and positive reviews from international press.

A Culmination of a Trilogy

We Are All Strangers represents the final installment in Chen’s “Growing Up” trilogy, following the critically acclaimed Ilo Ilo (2013), winner of the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and Wet Season (2019), which earned Yeo Yann Yann the Best Actress prize at the 2019 Golden Horse Awards . The film is set in contemporary Singapore and explores themes of family, love, loss, and responsibility.

Story and Cast

The narrative centers on Junyang (Koh Jia Ler), a young man navigating a complex turning point in his life. His girlfriend, Lydia (Regene Lim), and he are forced to confront a challenging situation, while Junyang also grapples with the introduction of a novel woman (Yeo Yann Yann) into his father’s (Andi Lim) life .

Critical Reception and Audience Response

The premiere was attended by Anthony Chen, along with the film’s cast – Yeo Yann Yann, Koh Jia Ler, Andi Lim, and Regene Lim – as well as co-producer Huang Wenhong and executive producer Arthur Wang . The audience of 1,600 reportedly gave the film a “rapturous ovation,” with many moved to tears .

Critics have praised the film as a mature and ambitious work, with Variety calling it “consistently involving and finally moving,” and The Hollywood Reporter highlighting its “hypnotic conclusion” to the “Growing Up” trilogy . Chen himself expressed surprise at the strong emotional connection the film evoked in viewers, noting that audience members were deeply touched by the story .

Release and Future Prospects

The results of the Golden Bear competition will be announced on February 21, 2026 . We Are All Strangers is expected to be released in Singapore in August 2026 .