You might have missed it, but one notable entry from Singapore made it into the 66th Venice Film Festival earlier this month: the medium length film Earth by visual artist/director Ho Tzu Nyen, which premiered on September 5th as part of the Corto Cortissimo section. … Continue Reading
In 2008, SIFF successfully introduced a new section to its programming, called Singapore Panorama. That year, local film production was at a peak and there really was a lot to show. Going into its second year, the test was now whether there is enough substance to justify such special selection, or whether it amounts to little more than filling. Since numbers aren’t too important and short film making is well alive in Singapore by good tradition, to throw in more shorts in two out-of-competition packages seemed an obvious enough choice. Here is an evaluation of the second bonus programme: Panorama Shorts 2. … Continue Reading
Screening at SIFF under the Singapore Panorama section this year was another politically aware documentary feature called “Brother No.2†by Jason Lai. In well-established, almost plain, fashion, this 75 minutes long film tries to lessen the distance we feel when facing the unimaginable – in this case the abysmal horrors of the Khmer Rouge terror regime and its many unreconciled victims. … Continue Reading
It opens on a black screen and to traffic noise. A man returns home from work, sits down to read the newspaper and observes a crack in the ceiling. The television newscast reports the same as he has just read so he gets up and strangles his wife in the kitchen. Please make up your mind quickly whether this makes any sense to you or not, then watch HERE.
Are you feeling blue? Depressed? Or is it rather black-and-white, with a little more contrast to show? The latter in any case is what you will be treated to in Looi Wan Ping’s directorial debut, White Days, which screened at SIFF just recently. But don’t jump to conclusions too quickly about what to expect from this picture. If anything, it is strictly formula-defying. Not in a spectacular way, but laid-back and conveniently unpolished.
Some habits are practical and make for simple sense. There are others which it is simply a luxury to indulge in. But when those two happen to fall into one, then you know you are in the right place at the right time precisely.
The Olive Depression is every bit your satire template in the mold of that memorable Zo Gang ridicule of Singaporean films. Joshua Lim’s debut on the local silver screen this month will come as nothing short of a reaffirmation of your average detractor’s every prejudice and worst sentiments about local movies being too slow, too steady, too depressing. Yes, the title says it all.
Well now, everybody, it has been my honour and a pleasure indeed!
Having some of you out there as my readers was a challenge – but one that I was very fortunate to try and meet (if only half-way, pardon me for that).
Quality by itself is just a neutral term, neither positive nor negative per se, dependant always on what context it comes in – or out of. We are optimistic people, for sure, trained by experience to hope for the best, however foolish such an exercise in self-delusion may seem to bystanders.
Sinema Old School is proud to present a special premiere screening of film, In Search of Beethoven. As part of the film’s Asian Tour, the film’s Singapore premiere will take place here at Sinema, on Wednesday 31st March 2010 at 5 pm. Director Phil Grabsky will be available for a Q&A session following the screening.
The programme for this month’s Sinema Showoff! has been released! Music videos, short films, documentaries… Take your pick. Admission for Sinema Showoff! is free, and its happening on Tuesday, 31st March.
For more enquiries or interview requests with the directors, feel free to drop me an email at sueanne[at]sinema[dot]sg.
In his previous effort, director Kelvin Tong had gone to Hong Kong to make Rule #1, filming in the city and having Hong Kong actors Ekin Cheng and Shawn Yue in lead roles. With the Kidnapper, this film marks a first collaboration in the suspense thriller genre between his Boku Films, Scorpio East Pictures, and Malaysia’s [...]
In his previous effort, director Kelvin Tong had gone to Hong Kong to make Rule #1, filming in the city and having Hong Kong actors Ekin Cheng and Shawn Yue in lead roles. With the Kidnapper, this film marks a first collaboration in the suspense thriller genre between his Boku Films, Scorpio East Pictures, and Malaysia’s [...]
The Panasonic Digital Film Fiesta runs for two days, starting tonight at 8pm, so don’t miss it! This is Andy Chung’s interview for his film, Grieving Conscience.
Catch Grieving Conscience, and more, during the Panasonic DFF screenings on the 24th and 25th of February.
