ABSTRACT
Solos (2007), a feature film co-directed by rising Singaporean directors Loo Zihan and Kan Lume, explores two sets of non-normative relationships: a sexual relationship between a student and his teacher, and a troubled relationship between the student and his depressed mother. The mundane and dialogue-less narrative of the film focuses on representing the emotional distance between the characters and their individual yearning for intimacy, both physical and emotional. In general, reception to the film centered on discussions of the taboo student–teacher relationship, the film’s gay theme, its explicit sex scenes, and its censorship issue in Singapore. This focus on controversial issues overlooked the significant narrative of the mother–son relationship in the film. As a result, this narrative thread in the film is pushed to the background.
