Singapore Drama We Are All Strangers Explores Inequality

A new Singaporean drama, We Are All Strangers, premiered at the Berlinale 2026 with a focus on family, inequality, and shifting values. The film follows Yunyang and his father as they navigate life in a cramped public housing flat in Singapore while facing personal and societal pressures. Director Ray Yeo uses their story to highlight tensions between tradition and modernity in the city-state.

The film centres on Yunyang, a young man fresh out of mandatory military service, and his father, who runs a traditional street food stall. Their lives take a sharp turn when the father receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, forcing Yunyang to take on greater responsibility. The story unfolds against Singapore's housing crisis, where space is limited and only the wealthy can afford comfort.

The drama explores how success in Singapore is now often measured by wealth alone, straining older values of community and hard work. Chinese millionaires buying up property push prices higher, leaving families like Yunyang's squeezed into tight living conditions. As suspicion and lies spread through their community, the film shows how quickly a peaceful community can fracture under pressure.

We Are All Strangers contrasts with other Berlinale entries, such as the Turkish film Kurtuluş, which depicts clan conflicts in remote mountains. Yeo's work, however, keeps its focus on urban Singapore, blending personal struggle with broader social commentary.

The film has drawn attention at the Berlinale for its portrayal of Singapore's social divides. While it raises questions about inequality, housing, and changing values, no documented public or policy reactions have emerged so far. The story remains a fictional reflection on the pressures facing ordinary families in a rapidly evolving city.