Jon Keng: Cinematographer's work featured in major film fests

He is one of only two Singaporean members of the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG), and his work has been featured in major film festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Locarno and Tribeca.

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But Jon Keng's life in cinema had barely begun when he was fired by one of its most acclaimed names.

It happened in 2013 during a film shoot for the Singapore drama Fundamentally Happy (2015). The budding cinematographer was back in town during a semester break from the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory in Los Angeles, where he was studying for his master's degree in cinematography.

He was part of the crew on another film, but each day, instead of sleeping or resting, he volunteered as a lighting technician on Fundamentally Happy. He was drawn by the chance to learn from the acclaimed Australian director of photography (DP) Christopher Doyle, famed for his work with Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar Wai (In the Mood for Love, 2000).

Keng's exhaustion caused him to fumble, raising the ire of the famously short-tempered Doyle.

"Eventually, there was this incident where I was yelled at for a good five minutes on the spot. He told me, 'Get out of my set. You're done.' I left in embarrassment. And this was one of my first big films in Singapore."