‘A Wes Anderson-ish Singapore Vol. 2’ features a diverse mix of locations and buildings, including the Pan Pacific Orchard and St James Power Station. “I try to emphasise changes in the built environment, so I often prioritise places that will soon be gone, and new and notable projects that have recently been completed,” says Siyuan. “I also include places where I have personal connections, such as Hwa Chong Institution and the School of Design and Environment (SDE), which are my former schools. So in short, this is both an architectural documentation adventure and also a trip up memory lane for me personally.”

Here, he shares more about the short film, as well as the most photogenic venues and Singapore landmarks to visit to capture this aesthetic. 

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Tell us more about ‘A Wes Anderson-ish Singapore Vol. 2’ and what it was like working on the project.

I first started this project in 2020. I always wanted to explore shooting like Wes Anderson and to create something that tells local Singaporean stories through a similar style. A Wes Anderson-ish Singapore Vol. 2 took some time to prepare as there were some scenes that were technically and logistically challenging, especially since they were not shot in public spaces. For example, the hotel scenes required a lot of coordination and support from the hotel operations team, and many homes from the ‘Tropical Living’ chapters required coordination between the architect and the owners, but the results were worth it. In all, I spent three years on this project and I am happy to see both films come to fruition. I hope this will be a project that will be cherished by many, years down the road.

What do you think it is about the “Wes Anderson aesthetic” that has made it so popular in recent social media trends? What are your thoughts on the Wes Anderson social media trend in general?

As a huge fan of the Wes Anderson aesthetic, I feel very happy that it is gaining traction globally. I remembered when I first started the project back in 2020, I would always ask people: “Hey, do you know who Wes Anderson is? I am doing something about Singapore by applying his style.” Back then, many people I spoke to were still unfamiliar with the name, but now it’s a different story, his style is getting so much more popular in Singapore!

I welcome the trend as I find it very inspiring to see so many different peoples around the globe trying to document their lives with it; it connects people and brings us together. Although when the trend gets exceptional, there will be more people doing it improperly, which tingles my obsessive-compulsive senses when I come across some of these. Still, it is a joy being a part of it; it’s therapeutic.

What are 5 of your favourite “Wes Anderson-ish” neighbourhoods or things to shoot in Singapore?

First, the Civic District or City Hall. There are so many historical buildings and also modern buildings with Wes Anderson-ish flair in close proximity, like the National Gallery, Peranakan Museum, Chjimes, Victoria Concert Hall, MICA Building, Supreme Court, and Central Fire Station, all within walking distance.

Secondly, Tiong Bahru. It is a lovely neighbourhood with naturally whimsical vibes, murals, and a piece of history. There’s also great food and cafes for whenever you want to take a break from exploring. It’s a joy to explore Tiong Bahru every time.

Thirdly, Katong; it [has] similar [qualities as] Tiong Bahru, except there are more colourful elements, especially along Koon Seng Road. There are also many quaint shops with rich history and friendly people all around.

Many hotels in Singapore have beautiful interior designs, and some also have lovely facades reminiscent of Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel. Try Capitol Kempinski and Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, which have many flat and symmetrical angles.

Last but not least, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks. I love these old public housing blocks with long stretches of common corridors. Look for two parallel blocks and you will have a perfect flat shot by standing in the middle of one of them. They always look gorgeous, with a strong Singapore identity. In addition, try the stairs in these blocks too, many have an alternative view of the greater surrounding that may have interesting elements. Try some of these in the neighbourhoods of Selegie, Whampoa, Bedok, Tampines, Chinatown and Queenstown.

What advice do you have for an amateur photographer interested in shooting Wes Anderson-inspired photos in Singapore?

Firstly, you need a thorough understanding of Wes Anderson’s style. Watch his films and really try to learn, feel the style, try to appreciate how and why he uses them. Wes Anderson's style is way beyond just symmetry. It’s about the camera work, the choice of mood, colours, and even music, the characters and narratives connected with visual storytelling.

Once you are ready to give it a shot, just keep practising to train your photographic eye. If you want to shoot some super tall architecture, going to elevated grounds–like HDB corridors or multistorey car parks–might help with the perspectives. Lastly, don’t just replicate. Understand the Wes Anderson style, but add your own unique personal touches and sense of purpose to it, and you might just create something new from it.

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