Originalseries

Filmart: HBO Asia Originals Chief Jessica Kam-Engle Talks Mining Local Culture for Broad Appeal (Q&A)

Filmart: HBO Asia Originals Chief Jessica Kam-Engle Talks Mining Local Culture for Broad Appeal (Q&A)

“Food Lore builds on the success of Folklore, which was a six-part series, each with a different director and story, based on the customs and superstitions in six Asian countries. Food Lore is made up of eight dramatic films by eight directors, each one inspired by the countries’ cuisine. It has a great potential to travel. After Folklore, I’ve been frequently asked whether we’d do a second season, and I’d tell them we intend to, but not in the same way. Horror is popular, but it’s also quite niche. Audience either loves horror or they don’t; there is no middle ground. You can’t force someone who doesn’t like horror to watch it. But food, as a theme, is more universal. It is also a subject that plays to Asians’ strength. Asian food is very diverse. Food Lore is still a drama, we’re not doing a travelogue, but the stories are centered on certain dishes. It could be about family, or a romance or a fantasy. The stories from each filmmaker are different, but all interesting and touching. Visually it might also make you drool.

Eric Khoo will be once again our showrunner. We also have directors and stories from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. They are quite representative of Asian cuisines. Food Lore has a wider reach than Folklore, with the participation from eight countries. The idea is to showcase Asia, and talents and local stories in Asia, and to give the filmmakers a platform to tell their own stories. Together it’s quite a powerful series.” - Jessica Kam-Engle ( Senior vice president, HBO Asia Original Productions)

Read More