At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Tao Okamoto ascended the stage with fellow actress Virginie Efira to receive the Best Actress award for her role in Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s All Of A Sudden. She became the first Japanese woman to do so, earning a spot in the history books. Okamoto portrays a stage director living with a terminal illness, who forms a deep bond with the head of her care facility (played by Efira). Her character is a symbol of resilience and hope, much like Okamoto is for Asian women all around.
Film reflects a journey of evolution for Okamoto. Her career began in modelling, where her signature cropped hair and compelling presence led her to become one of fashion’s most recognisable faces in the early aughts. In 2013, she made her acting debut as the female lead Mariko Yashida in The Wolverine. She followed suit with a role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as Mercy Graves, and went behind the camera to direct short films Sun & Moon and My Sweet Pala. Back home, she led the Japanese thriller series The Silent Service as Ryoko Funao, before her sweet victory at Cannes.
Playing Mari Morisaki in All Of A Sudden was a deeply personal process. The actress drew inspiration from her own experiences, unravelling inner parts of herself in a way she had never done. “I was fascinated by the idea that parts of myself I might otherwise try to hide could become something meaningful and powerful through a character,” she muses.
Where modelling shaped her to be strong, beautiful and confident, acting moved her to be vulnerable enough to bare her soul. This deep yet subtle shift has made Okamoto one of the most compelling actresses of today. In a world of relentless pursuits, her quiet conviction and dedication to her craft rise above the noise.
It is only fitting then, that she fronts Vogue Singapore’s November ‘Soft Power’ issue. The actress ponders upon its meaning: “To me, soft power means creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to encounter one another, learn about each other, become curious about one another, and ultimately develop empathy. I believe that by recognizing and respecting our differences, we can broaden our perspectives and expand our understanding of the world. When we are in environments where meaningful cross-cultural exchange is not easily possible in person, I believe that film, literature, and other forms of creative expression can be powerful tools for creating those connections and opening a window into worlds and experiences that we might otherwise never encounter.”
Below, Okamoto curates a round-up of films that defines exactly the theme of our latest issue.
1 / 6
Drive My Car
Amidst a personal loss, a famed actor takes up a directorial job in Hiroshima. There, he is required to hire a chauffeur, a 20-year-old girl. With their lives worlds apart, initial clashes arise before giving way to a unique bond between the two.
2 / 6
Blue Bayou
A Korean-American adoptee is suddenly faced with deportation, threatening him to leave his family and all he’s known behind. For a chance at a future, Antonio LeBlanc has no choice but to face the ghosts of his past.
3 / 6
Bend It Like Beckham
Jess has always dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, but her traditional Sikh parents stand in the way. Her potential is unleashed and her skills revealed when she meets striker Jules, who invites her to join the local women’s team. A double life ensues as Jess hides this secret from her family.
4 / 6
Selma
Selma chronicles Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s journey in leading a movement for equality. His campaign for equal civil voting rights culminates in a symbolic march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama. The result? The Voting Rights Act of 1965, but not without sacrifice, racial injustice and a nationwide outcry along the way.
5 / 6
The Big Sick
When Pakistani comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love, a ton of hurdles come their way: cultural clash, pushy parents and a life-threatening illness. When push comes to shove, Kumail has no choice but to face them, and his true feelings, head-on.
6 / 6
The King & I
Welsh widow Anna Leonowens accepts an offer to be a governess and English tutor to the royal family of King Mongkut of Siam. As the King’s stubbornness meets Anna’s tenacity, a wave of quarrels and disputes arise. The pair must see eye to eye as they prepare the King for a party with European diplomats, where he has to win their favour.
The November 2026 ‘Soft Power’ edition of Vogue Singapore is available online and on newsstands.
