A brand new HBO Asia Original anthology drama series, Food Lore, is premiering on Sunday at 10:00 p.m. on HBO and HBO Go. The eight-episode hour-long series explores human conditions with narratives inspired by Asian cuisines.
Helmed by award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo (Ramen Teh, 12 Storeys), the series is shot in eight countries across Asia—India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and directed by some of Asia’s most talented storytellers including Erik Matti (BuyBust, Honor Thy Father) from the Philippines, Phan Dang Di (Bi, Don’t Be Afraid, Big Father, Small Father and Other Stories) from Vietnam, Billy Christian (Tuyul: Part 1, The Sacred Riana: Beginning) from Indonesia, Don Aravind (Angel, Drive) from Singapore, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Headshot, Last Life in the Universe) from Thailand, Takumi Saitoh (Blank 13, Hannbun no Sekai) from Japan, and Ho Yuhang (Trespassed, Mrs. K) from Malaysia.
Like a favorite dish from home, each story is a flavor of love and set to tease the senses. Viewers will be taken on an emotional journey filled with passion, treasured memories and a little spice of Asia. Each episode possesses a distinct voice, tone, and narrative.
The first two episodes, Philippines episode, Food Lore: Island of Dreams, and the Vietnam episode, Food Lore: He Serves Fish, She Eats Flower, made their world debut at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) on Oct. 31 and Oct. 30, respectively.
TIFF started in 1985 as Japan’s ï¬rst major ï¬lm festival and since has grown to become one of the leading ï¬lm festivals in Asia.
Premiering at Singapore International Film Festival later on Nov. 24, the India episode, A Plate of Moon, will also be making a world debut. This is the first time an HBO Asia Original will be presented at either festival.
Matti’s Island Dreams tackles the story of Nieves who leaves her husband and children to work as a domestic helper in Manila. Returning home for the annual fiesta, Nieves soon realizes that she may have grown estranged from her beloved family as her jubilant homecoming takes an unexpected turn. This episode stars Angeli Bayani, John Marvin C. Nieto, and Irina Guillen Feleo.
Food Lore is produced by Singapore-based company Bert Pictures and part of a two-year partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in Singapore. Through a series of workshops and collaborations with local companies and talent on HBO Asia Original productions, the partnership aims to develop the content production capabilities of Singapore’s media industry.
HBO Asia started producing Original productions in 2012 and has produced a range of Asian Original productions including series, movies, and documentaries. To date, HBO Asia has produced and aired 18 Asian Original productions with more in the pipeline.
