Anthony Chen's English-Language Feature Debut 'Drift' Announced, Starring Cynthia Erivo

Award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen is set to make his English-language feature debut with "Drift," starring Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo. The announcement signals a significant step for Chen onto the international stage, bringing his signature humanist storytelling to a global audience.

"Drift" is based on Alexander Maksik's novel A Marker to Measure Drifting. The film centers on Jacqueline (played by Erivo), a young Liberian refugee who has just arrived on a Greek island. Haunted by a traumatic past, she struggles to survive, until she forms an unexpected friendship with a rootless tour guide. The film explores themes of displacement, survival, and the search for connection.

Anthony Chen rose to international prominence with his debut feature "Ilo Ilo" (2013), which won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making him the first Singaporean director to win a major award at Cannes. His follow-up, "Wet Season" (2019), also received critical acclaim and numerous awards. Chen is known for his intimate, naturalistic storytelling, focusing on complex family dynamics and social realities with a keen eye for human emotion.

This project is highly anticipated as Chen's first foray into English-language filmmaking, following the critical success of his Mandarin-language features. His involvement suggests a sensitive and deeply empathetic portrayal of a refugee's experience, a subject that aligns with his character-driven narratives. The pairing with a talent like Cynthia Erivo further elevates expectations for powerful performances.