Filmmaker Anthony Chen Warns Social Media Erodes Humanity at Far East Film Fest

Renowned Singaporean director Anthony Chen delivered a powerful critique at the Far East Film Festival, warning that social media is "hurting our humanity." Speaking at a panel following the premiere of his film “We Are All Strangers,” the final part of his Singapore Trilogy, Chen expressed deep concern over social media's detrimental effects on attention spans, deep connection, and authentic human experience. He argued that the constant digital stimulation fragments our focus, making it harder to engage with immersive art forms like cinema and diminishing our capacity for empathy and genuine interaction. Chen's observations, coinciding with the release of his trilogy which explores nuanced family dynamics, highlight a growing tension between our digital lives and the preservation of our innate human qualities. He urged for a more conscious engagement with technology, advocating for the reclaiming of attention and the prioritization of real-world connections to safeguard our essential humanity.