We Are All Strangers at Home | Anthony Chen & Hun Ming Kwang | CYT Special 2026

Description

What does it mean to belong?Not just to a place or a community, but to yourself.Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Anthony Chen has spent more than a decade telling stories about family, identity and home that have resonated across the world. Yet behind every film lies a quieter journey: one of searching for belonging, purpose, and what it means to remain true to yourself.In this special episode of the Clean Your Toilet Podcast, Hun Ming Kwang sits down with Anthony Chen—writer, director and producer behind Ilo Ilo, Wet Season, Drift, The Breaking Ice, and his latest film, We Are All Strangers.The conversation unfolds into a deep one as Anthony reflects on why he has always felt like an outsider, even in the place he calls home, and how that search for belonging has quietly shaped every film he has made. Together, they explore whether greatness can be taught, why life is our greatest teacher, and the experiences that transform technical skill into wisdom.Anthony also shares the deeply personal story behind choosing filmmaking at fifteen despite criticism from relatives, the unwavering support of his mother, the existential crisis he faced in his forties, and why his wife and son have become the quiet foundation behind everything he creates.More importantly, they dive into what it means to build a life that remains true to who you are, even when the world doesn't quite understand it.Together, they explore the key themes:- Why Anthony has always felt like an outsider, even in Singapore.- Whether greatness can truly be taught.- The three qualities every exceptional filmmaker needs.- Why life's hardest moments become our greatest teachers.- The role of family in shaping who we become.- The courage to pursue an unconventional path despite criticism.- How trust, honesty, and human understanding underpin great storytelling.- The existential doubts that came with turning forty.- What keeps him creating after more than a decade of international success.If you've ever...* questioned where you truly belong,* wondered wheth