Singapore's ‘Strange Root’ gains co-producers from Indonesia, Germany, Netherlands and Philippines

Singapore’s 13 Little Pictures alongside Emoumie Pictures has gathered four global co-production partners for their mythological body horror film Strange Fruit.

These partners include Indonesia’s Palari Films, Germany’s In Good Company, the Netherlands’ Sluizer Film Production, and Archipelago: Binisaya from the Philippines.

Under the direction of Lam Li Shuen and Mark Chua, the movie has been chosen for the inaugural genre section of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

Taking place in 11th-century Singapore, the narrative focuses on a demigod, birthed from a yam, who becomes the villagers' ritual meal.

When an enigmatic creature washes ashore, the villagers forsake him, leaving only a cunning outcast by his side.

Participants in co-producing the film include Palari Films’ Muhammad Zaidy and Meiske Taurisia, In Good Company’s Roshanak Behesht Nedjad, Sluizer Film Productions’ Anouk Sluizer, and Archipelago: Binisaya’s Keith Deligero and Gale Osorio.

The endeavor will be captured on both 16mm and 35mm film, produced by Looi Wan Ping and Tan Bee Thiam of 13 Little Pictures.

Their past projects include Before The Sea Forgets, showcased at Directors Fortnight 2025, as well as the Netflix horror Revenge Of The Pontianak.

“Strange Root is set to be our most challenging project so far. As we construct this body horror mythos, our aim is to draw viewers into a brutal story of the cycles of power and violence that embed themselves within us,” expressed Lam and Chua, who debuted a sold-out movie performance Born Of The Yam at this year’s Berlinale Forum Expanded.

“We're eager to collaborate with experienced producers who appreciate the nuanced cultural elements we’re delving into, to bring this terrifying myth to life.”

The Born Of The Yam performance employed specially adapted 16mm projectors, submerging the audience in a techno-mythological ritual dedicated to the yam-born demigod.

This is part of a broader multi-IP strategy involving installations, performances, and video gaming, with the movie serving as the focal point of this universe.

The team aims to secure funding by October 2026, start pre-production in December, and commence principal photography in Indonesia by May 2027.

Post-HAF, the project is set to present at the Critics’ Week Next Step Studio 2026 in Cannes.