Wanton Mee

Wanton Mee is an incredibly moving love letter to Singapore's (hawker) culture from acclaimed director Eric Khoo.

Koh Chun Feng (Peter Boon Koh) is a middle aged food writer living with his father in the soon to be demolished government flats at Tanglin Halt. To preserve Singapore's hawker culture Koh embarks on a series of often emotional interviews with first, second and third generation hawkers who have taken over the family business. Along the way we are introduced to many of Singapore's iconic dishes - laksa, chicken rice, bak kut teh, fish head curry and the rest - while learning more about hawker culture and the early days of Singapore.

Koh also finds himself responsible for the next generation, and his softening towards his younger colleague (Tammie Chew) is one of the film's highlights. The ending, which I didn't see coming at all, completely floored me.

I first saw Wanton Mee on a Singapore Airlines flight, and what a treat and feast for the senses. We get a culinary tour of Singapore traditional cuisine and the challenges it faces in the midst of modern life through the eyes of a cynical food critic. We also get a glimpse into the critic's relationship with his father, culminating in an incredibly moving closing scene that I never expected in a million years.

All credit to the director Eric Khoo, and the main cast of Boon Pin Koh, Bill Teoh and Tammie Chew.

Nastassja Kinski makes a cameo appearance at the end.

We need more films like this.