Private Project

Metropolitan

An idealistic woman sneaks out of work to attend a club opening with her long-time boyfriend, only to be denied entry, forcing her to confront the loss of her dreams in the city.

  • Hong Xu Ow
    Director
  • Hong Xu Ow
    Writer
  • Kai Ren Tay
    Director of Photography
  • Claudia Wee Yuanqin
    Producer
  • Agnes Goh
    Key Cast
    "Jen"
  • Bryan Lum
    Key Cast
    "Jun"
  • Zheng Ge Ping
    Key Cast
    "Jacob"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Metropolitan 美满都市
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Live- action
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 1, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 SGD
  • Country of Origin:
    Singapore
  • Country of Filming:
    Singapore
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Hong Xu Ow

Ow Hong Xu is a director and writer exploring the complexities of identity, belonging, and place, often examining how personal histories intersect with larger societal narratives. With nearly seven years in digital media, he began with video art before earning a BFA (Hons) in Filmmaking from Nanyang Technological University. His films have screened internationally, with ROUGHHOUSE winning Best Student Film at the Sydney Short Film Festival. He is currently developing his next short film.

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Director Statement

Metropolitan is conceptualized both as a tribute and my love for this city (or metropolis), Singapore, that I’ve lived in all my life. Living in Singapore is distinct; all the different key districts are within close proximity of the city center, and most are even within walkable distances. The facade of a perfectly manicured city has always puzzled me because just by walking through the streets outside the city area, you would discover a whole wealth of culture that contrasts with what we see on the surface of this fast-paced city.

The metropolis seems to me an all-consuming and all-giving place; once inside, you often find yourself stuck in a perpetual cycle of pursuit. Within that pursuit, I want to find a thread that connects us all, I want this story to not be just about Singapore, but rather about the universality of living within the metropolis.

I imagine Metropolitan to be a film about celebration. Through the eyes of Jen, the film celebrates her coming-of-age and her understanding in the futility of material pursuit. This film celebrates that, even in our metropolitan lives littered with trials and tribulations, a sliver of optimism lies beyond.