In conjunction with the events organised by MARUAH (Singapore Working Committee for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism) for observance of the 2009 International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December, the Asian Film Archive curated a series of Southeast Asian short films for the Me And My Friend film screening at GV Grand on 14th of Dcember. The films screened were Français by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, Lata At Tsinelas (Can & Slippers) by Khavn de la Cruz and Peter by Singaporean filmmakers Derrick Lui and Lee Chee Tian. It is hoped that these films will help to promote an understanding of disability issues and facilitate the integration of persons with disabilities within communities.

Clara Feng, co-chair of the Me and My Friend committee gave the opening address. I then gave a brief introduction to the films. More than a hundred people attended the screening and everyone stayed behind for the post-screening discussion that was moderated by Mr. Ravi Philemon. During the engaging discussion, many felt the films had addressed the adversities people with disabilities come up against, and many also spoke strongly on the advocation for the need to improve the benefits and rights to the disabled. A number of people in the audience expressed their admiration for Peter Loh from Peter, who graced the event and spoke on how his positive outlook towards life helped him pull through.

It is very heartening to see that the film screening has served its purpose for many in the audience, and that those who brought their friends along, were able to enjoy the films together.

(Photos courtesy of Lee Sze Yong)

 

In commemoration of the UNESCO World Day For Audiovisual Heritage, the Asian Film Archive organized an In Conversation With Filmmakers session, on the 22nd October 2009. The purpose of this event is for the Archive to give filmmakers and film producers alike an informational talk on the issues of film preservation. It was attended by more than 35 people, including filmmakers like Jason Lai, Chai Yee Wei, Sherman Ong and Michael Wang.

The session began with Bee Thiam presenting the 2008 annual report on the Asian Film Archive, which can be downloaded here. Karen followed by sharing on different ways that film and video mediums deteriorate over time and how they should maintain and take good care of their films. There was a lively QnA session where Karen and Bee Thiam answered questions ranging from the technicality of preservation work, acquisition guidelines, clearance of rights and plans on restoration work. They also sought feedback on how the Archive can improve our work, as well as how the Archive can better support the community.

Despite the constraints in the duration of these assemblies, the main topics were covered, from the Golden Era of the Singaporean Malay Cinema to the 1970’s Bruce-Lee inspired cult films, and to the revival of the 1990’s by the films of Eric Khoo, Jack Neo and Glen Goei. A student from TJC initially guessed “45” was the grand total number of Singaporean films ever made before Bee Thiam introduced the Cathay-Keris, Shaw, and Kong Ngee film studios that flourished in the 1950’s. The students, including the teachers seemed more interested in the contemporary Singapore Cinema that include films such as Jack Neo’s Money No Enough and Eric Khoo’s 12 Storeys which spoke a different voice and identity compared to their predecessors, and which probably managed to struck a cord in their hearts.

While the lower secondary students from Tanglin Secondary seemed a little restless throughout the session, the upper secondary students were amused by the film clips that were shown. I for one, was rather intrigued to find out more about how Jack Neo may be inspired by P.Ramlee’s Bujang Lapok series.

It is always pleasant for me to sit and listen through of how cinema transcends over time and hopefully that opening snippet from Forever Fever that featured a pre “Deal or No Deal” Adrian Pang may have enticed some of these students to seek out these local films that may have already been forgotten.

(Photos courtesy of Looi Wan Ping)

Based on a novel by Indonesian writer Andrea Hirata, the film tells the story of ten village children's life changing experiences after meeting two dedicated teachers, Miss Muslimah and Mr Harfan. The teachers and students faced threats of the school's closure, but persevered with their enthusiasm for education and knowledge. The heart-warming story unfolds on Belitong – what was once Indonesia's richest island – and is equal parts comedy and political critique.

 

Despite it being the best selling film in Indonesia's box office history, it is little heard of outside the international film festival circuit. We're glad that the audience members enjoyed the film. Some of them actually came to us to thank us for selecting this film for the screening!

The Archive’s talk titled “Appreciating Film 101” took place in the Bay Room and was presented by Bee Thiam to an attentive and interested audience. With a focus on the appreciation of Asian film, Bee Thiam presented an overview of various Asian cinemas, namely China, Japan and India.

Tracing the historical development of each region, he interspersed his presentation with several film clips and analyzed the way a story was told in each clip. In doing so, it was highlighted to the audience how the subject matter and film technique of the various films have changed and developed over time to reflect different social concerns and conditions. For instance, the gritty look and the camera's matter-of-fact gaze in Zhang Yimou’s Old Well (1986) and Story of Qiu Ju (1992) which have storylines that take place during the Cultural Revolution was in sharp contrast to the Asian box office hit Crazy Stone (2006) that features snappy editing and the quirks of a contemporary and globalized Chinese society.

Following that, the audience was given a very brief history of the Japan film industry  – one of the oldest film industries in the world – and was treated to a taste of the country’s cinema with Yasujiro Ozu’s Tokyo Story (1955). Giving a lesser known view of Indian cinema to contemporary moviegoers, Bee Thiam introduced the audience to important Indian directors which included Raj Kapoor (who often paid tribute to Charlie Chaplin in his films) and Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray and his award-winning debut film Pather Panchali (1955).

In all, Bitesize was a comprehensive two-hour overview of Asian cinema that gave the audience a good general understanding of the region’s culture, history as well as its film industry.

Here’s to hoping the talk sparked the beginnings of an interest in Asian films for some in the audience!

Bitesize photos courtesy of The Esplanade Co Ltd.