Fortieth. Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki (2001)

Spirited Away (2001)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki



I decided that the last film that I should watch is my most loved Asian film of all time! Spirited Away. This movie is indeed enjoyable and after witnessing Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle, this has once again proved to me that animations produced by Studio Ghibli never fail. This movie and the characters brought about several enchanted feelings within me.

Watching such animation has brought me back to my childhood days where I would fantasize about magical realms and the great power I would be empowered with when magical powers are within reach. However, upon further reflections, I feel that the main message that movies of this genre want to bring across is the importance of one’s growing up phase.

In addition, the change in Chihiro’s character from before entering the magical world to after, leaving the world has left a deep impression in me. Prior to entering the magical world, Chihiro was a spoilt kid, who was dependent on her parents. However, after being trapped in the magical world away from her parents (who turned into pigs due to their greediness), she became independent, capable of solving problems on her own, and also successfully brought her parents and herself out of the magical world. This is a scene that I can relate to, especially in today’s world. In the modern world, parents are always there to guide their children, and provide all sorts of help along the way. And this soon resulted in the upbringing of children who have grown to be used to staying under their parents’ protective wings and are always dependent on their parents. Thus, I do believe that some responsibility and trust should be given to children, allowing them to learn as they grow. Mistakes may be made, but making mistakes are part and parcel of growing up.


Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle?... NAH!!


Litertally =_= face

The progress of the movie was rather slowly and odd at the start, with random characters here and there. However as the movie progressed, the importance of each character was shown and emphasized. Each pieces of a puzzle were introduced and as the story develops, the pieces of puzzle come together to form a magical picture. For example, the No-Face-Ghost that appeared in the earlier part of the movie as a shadow, moved on into the show to become an important character which kept trying different ways to attract Chihiro’s attention. What I felt from this is that different people appear in our life at different time and for different reasons. The only common point of meeting different people is the experience of making new friends as one might not know how important the particular person might be in the future.

I will forever adore this movie for it's creativity and randomness and the spirited realm that it absorbs me into. Once again, from Hayao Miyazaki. (:

Thirty-ninth. A City of Sadness by Hou Hsiao-hsien (1989)

A City of Sadness (1989)
Director: Hou Hsiao-hsien
Award: Golden Lion Award at Venice Film Festival



A City of Sadness describes the kind of unrest, uncertainty and turmoil that happened in post-war Taiwan after the Japanese Occupation. The film is set to the fateful four years in Taiwan history, from the end of Japanese 50-year colonization of Taiwan in 1945, to the ascent of Communist power on the Mainland and the establishment of the Guomindang government-in-exile in Taipei by Chiang Kai-Shek in 1949. After the war, the Taiwanese longed for a peaceful life and the return of their rights to their homeland. However, it resulted in internal struggle and external threats and Taiwan became an extremely dangerous place to be in.

I felt that in the film, the identity of Taiwan is conflicted by the identities of Japanese (nationalist) and Mainland China (communist). It is very sad that a country is torn into two during that period of time. Everyone had different ideologies and were determined to eradicate people who betrayed the country. But then again, who could have betrayed the country when there was no concrete identity of Taiwan to be in? In the end, only the old, young and women who were the vulnerable ones, were not taken away. The use of typology in the film had great meaning and it fills up the empty spaces that the film leaves. We would not know what had happened to one of the characters until Wen-Ching wrote it in his note.



Even though the victim was executed, he knew that his identity as Taiwanese lay beneath and loves his country.

After reading the reviews, I realised that there were a lot of languages used in the film such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Shanghaiese, Mandarin and Japanese. This then reinforces that because of a multilingual society at that point of time, that there were suspicion everywhere. A Japanese could speak Hokkien or Cantonese for any matter and therefore before relied on their own intuition which maligned many innocent people and caused each other suffering. However, the deaf-muteness of Wen-Ching in the film symbolises that the lack of verbal communication, ironically, in fact can allow one to understand another more. In the film, Hou Hsiao-hsien took a lot of long takes of the normal family life such as having meals, washing clothes, feeding the young etc. To me, it felt like there was a surreal kind of peace. In each of the character's mind, they must be worrying or thinking about something. And everyone just eats peacefully and quietly in the dining room. Overall I felt that the film was not very fantastic in terms of melodrama or content. I also had a lot of confused moments while watching it. However, I felt that A City of Sadness was never meant to entertain, it was meant to educate.

[1] Reynaud, Bérénice. A City of Sadness (a monographic study of Hou Hsiao-Hsien's 1989 film in BFI's Modern Classic Series). London: BFI, 2002.
[2] Chi, Robert. "Getting It on Film: Representing and Understanding History in A City of Sadness." Tamkang Review 29, 4 (Summer 1999): 47-84.
[3] Abe Mark Nornes and Yeh Yueh-yu. "Narrating National Sadness: Cinematic Mapping and Hypertextual Dispersion." (a UC Berkerley-based hypertextual multimedia study of the film);
[4] Acquarello. "A City of Sadness" (Annotation of Hou Hsiao-hsien's 1989 film, published by Sense of Cinema)
[5] A City of Sadness (悲情城市 Beiqing chengshi 1989). Retrieved from http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/denton2/courses/c505/temp/city.html

Thirty-eigth. Lust, Caution by Ang Lee (2007)

Lust, Caution (2007)
Director: Ang Lee
Award: Golden Lion Award in Venice Film Festival

"To me, no writer has ever used the Chinese language as cruelly … and no story of hers is as beautiful or as cruel as ‘Lust, Caution."

Lust, Caution is not for the faint hearted. The story is full of suspense and cliff-hanging moments, together with brutal sex scenes that actually made me have goosebumps. It was really brave for Ang Lee to be able to produce such a film where beneath every layer of the film there lies guiltiness. Even though as part of the audience, we see the truth, that Tai Tai was sent to assassinate Mr Yee, and that each had suspicion of each other, it turn out to be more engaging for me because while I was watching the film I too had the same kind of fear that Tai Tai would've have when she's on the mission (well, probably the degree of fear is not as much). Mr Yee being a ruthless kind of person who is indifferent to an emotionless person, he is sure on dangerous man to sit next to, or even to have sex with.

Lust, is where both of Tai Tai and Mr Yee share throughout the whole film. As I'm sure of Mr Yee's action, he really wants to own and dominate Tai Tai. But for the female protagonist, I'm not quite sure. She is brave yet vulnerable. But her performance in doing her mission was spectacular, yet so surreal. For the first time they did it, she gave a smile even after Mr Yee had put her through so much emotional and physical pain. Did she really like it? Or she felt that she performed her mission with a good start and is feeling satisfied. Yet, I'm quite sure, from a girl's point of view that her heart was totally broken. In contemporary China, a woman's virginity can only be given to either her husband, or the one she loves. Chia Chi must have felt that she has betrayed herself, but at the same time done honour to her country. But nobody told her that she might fall in love with him during the missionary plan.

What really amazed me was how Tang Wei can switch interchangeably the two different characters that she play in Lust, Caution, as Tai Tai and Chia Chi. When she was Chia Chi, she was so innocent with her hair let down and without make up. Even her expression is gullible. But when she transformed into Tai Tai, we could see her giving out a different seductive aura from before. Her gaze is sharp and full of intent. No wonder it had the emotionless Mr Yee, hooked on her. It was quite weird to see the change of roles of Tony Leung especially after watching In The Mood For Love. He was gentle and then he was brutal. I guess Ang Lee had taken this opportunity to push his actors and actresses to their limit, at the same time, aid us (the audience) in determining who is good in this industry. I liked the film and I didn't like the film. I like it because it was cunning, I didn't like it because this is my first gruesome erotic show that I've watched.

[1] Lust, Caution Movie Reviews. Retrieved from http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/movies/28lust.html
[2] Review: Lust, Caution. Retrieved from http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article3122621.ece
[3] Clickety Clack. Lust, Caution Review. Retrieved from http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/38019/
[4] Lust, Caution. Review by Margaret Pomeraz. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2099620.htm

Thirty-seventh. Mother India by Mehboob Khan (1957)

Mother India (1957)
Director: Mehboob Khan


This poster strongly reminds me of the crucification of Jesus Christ. Does it have any significant relation that both Radha and Jesus Christ share? Their love and their sacrifice...

After watching Mother India, I felt that the main perception of Radha as a benevelont, loving, righteous and kind personality was resounding throughout the film. In the film, Radha represents an idealized mother in India, and probably the whole of Asia. She is independent, strong and believes strongly in herself and her abilities to make a change. Yet at the same time, she fulfills her duties and responsibility as a mother and a woman in patriarchal society. In the film, I particularly liked the part where she convinced the villagers to stay after a natural disaster (the flood) because she believed that the land can still be retrieved. And as she starts singing, she plows the land with both her sons. The whole song she had a super dramatic face as she expresses herself in front of the villages. But it was cheerful towards the end and I liked the part where Mehboob Khan uses dissolving images to show that time has passed and instead of her leading the plow, both her son were in front of her instead because she's old.

The whole idea of Mother India essentially reminds me the concept of a benevolent mother in The Goddess and To Live. In all cases the situation is different, but the gist of the film is still the same. In whichever catastrophe or even the end of the world, a mother would definitely sacrifice herself for the ones she loved. However is it really true in Mother India? Radha had shot her son, Birju toward the end of the film because he was always creating trouble and stubborn. In the film, she killed her son for the greater good of everybody in the village. But would a mother really do that, even though she knew that her son loved her very deeply. I believe Radha was willing to sacrifice herself (the act of killing her own flesh and blood by herself) for the whole village. I felt that it could've been solved in a less violent and better way, maybe like asking some men to stop BIrju. Maybe there were some virtues in the Indian culture that had made her promise the villagers that she would shoot her own son. Although somehow I felt that Birju was just being the upright person as he only wanted to protect his family from the unequal treatment of the characters in the film. She could have did it because she thinks that it was her own fault that she did not bring up her son well and the village was at stake. Hence, Mother India is a suitable title given to Radha.

[1] Mother India (1957) FILM IN REVIEW; 'Mother India' by DAVE KEHR. Retrieved from http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C03E5DE153CF930A1575BC0A9649C8B63
[2] Mother India. Retrieved from http://www.kamera.co.uk/reviews_extra/mother_india.php
[3] Films Directed by Mehboob Khan: Mother India, Andaz, Aan, Amar, Aurat

Thirty-sixth. Il Mare by Lee Heun-syung (2000)

Il Mare (2000)
Director: Lee Heun-syung



I think it is quite interesting and touching to see how two simple lives cross path. In life, we never know when one day our life will cross path with someone else who have a great impact on us or whom we will have great influence on.

The movie shows how two strangers can feel for each other and fell in love without meeting each person in real life before. In reality, can two strangers really fall in love without seeing each other? The media today, such as Facebook, MSN and virtual chat rooms, allows people to ‘meet’ and keep in contact with friends and even strangers. There are news article on how two people can get ‘married’ and ‘divorce’ in the virtual world. The effect of the virtual world interactions has both its positive and negative sides. Those who are too engrossed in it can be in illusion and be detached from the real world. The worst scenario is when some result in suicide after a ‘failed marriage’. In addition, people can gradually lose their ability to communicate properly during face-to-face interactions, losing the humanity touch. This can be a serious issue as people are increasingly relying heavily on technology in their everyday lives.

In comparison, the virtual interaction can also reduce social problems such as HIV transmission. Unlike the older generations, man and woman nowadays can be less conservative and the spread of HIV and other sexual diseases can be problematic. Assuming that people like to ‘meet’ in virtual world more often, it will reduce the chance of actual interaction and any possibility of disease transmission.

In conclusion, I do like the movie with the twists in the storyline. The movie also leads me to ponder about the issue of time-travelling and how things can change if we can know our future in advance. Perhaps, it is still better to let nature takes it course and have the chance to be surprised and enlightened by the things that are going to happen in life. Only when we cannot foresee the future, we can then work hard and not regret our decision at any point of time.

[1] Il Mare. Retrieved from http://www.spcnet.tv/Movies/Il-Mare-p206.html
[2] Il Mare Review. Retrieved from http://www.mediacircus.net/ilmare.html

Thirty-fifth. The Leap Years by Jean Yeo (2008)

The Leap Years (2008)
Director: Jean Yeo



The story starts off with the main lead actress asking the lead actor out, on the 29th of April, on the day where man are not supposed to reject any invitation from woman based on an Irish tradition. I don’t know if the tradition is real but I find this tradition rather interesting. While watching, I attempt to put myself in the same situation and think about what I will do. The very act of a woman asking a man out is something I will not picture myself doing, though I can imagine quite a number of more open-minded women nowadays will do so just like the main lead actress. I see this as an act of woman gaining access to power and to be in control. Being a female, that is why there is a part of me within that actually approve of this tradition.

In addition, I am not a believer of long-distance relationship and not to say only being able to meet once every four years. I guess what occurs in the movie is true love? In general, I find the movie rather interesting and sentimental.



[1] The Leap Years. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470420/usercomments
[2] The Leap Years: Review. Retrieved from http://createlevoyage.com/backstage/visualarts/2008/05/film-leap-years-by-mediacorp-raintree.html

Thirty-fourth. The Iron Ladies by Yongyoot Thongkongtoon (2000)

The Iron Ladies (2000)
Director: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon



The story plot of Iron Ladies is quite typical just like any underdog film that manages to rise up against all odds. But it addresses a taboo issue of homosexuals and transvestites especially in Thailand. It is familiar in terms of its early setbacks, the recruitment of misfit volleyball players and almost the whole team leaving because of homosexuals. It is also unfamiliar because of the transvestites. At the same time, we all know that Thailand is famous for its transvestites and homosexual community, therefore the Iron Ladies relates to us for it's country, language and changing culture. The story is based on a true volleyball team that all of them were gays and they actually fought and won the volleyball national championship.


whooop!...

Personally, I had to admit that gay is not a thing for me. I would find it very strange to see two gays making out and such in public or even in films (Brokeback mountain? I've not watched it before). Thanks to Iron Ladies, it sparred me this idea of gays to a point that I feel even in a life of a transvestite, some of them don't even engage in sexual relationships with another. They just love to oogle at themselves in front of the mirror, and be like a girl. There was absence of sexual connotations which made the transvestites in the film kind of pure and innocent. And together with humor elements, it makes us think that 'Hey, maybe gays aren't bad in anyway...'. Iron Ladies show the kind of fierce fight even 'ladies' have mentally. Well, of course they do have some sort of physical masculinity, but it shows how a group of feminine personalities go against their whole world and be able to prove for their whole community that they are just as good as anyone else. To that, I can consider it... GIRL POWER! YEAH!

[1] The Iron Ladies (2000) FILM REVIEW; A Thai Volleyball Team That Vives Its Différence. Retrieved from http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E4D81339F934A3575AC0A9679C8B63
[2] The Iron Ladies. Retrieved from http://www.polfilms.com/ironladies.html
[3] The Iron Ladies by Roger Ebert. Retrieved from http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20011019/REVIEWS/110190302/1023

Thirty-third. In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar Wai (2000)

In the Mood for Love (2000)
Director: Wong Kar Wai



Activity: DINNER DATE with viewing and discussion of the film “In the Mood for Love”.
Location: Empty tutorial room at north spine.
Date and time: 27th April 2011, 7pm
Attendence: Me, Xiaoting, Peishan

We went to read up on this film before this viewing session, so that we will be able to understand the film better and share our discoveries and observations during discussion.

Following is how our whole discussion went! (Ignoring some of the very not-relevant parts where we strayed too much from the film and the topic of discussion.)


BEFORE THE SCREENING
Peishan: Read that this film by Wong Kar-Wai is a very successful film. It has won quite a number of film awards including awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Me: Yup, Mr. Tan mentioned this film during one of the lesson before and he showed us a short portion of the movie. I think it’s not bad!

Xiaoting: In the 2001 Hong Kong Film Awards, this film won like 5 awards!!!! Alright, I am really looking forward to this film. Let’s get started!



AFTER THE SCREENING
Peishan: Did you all notice all the beautiful Cheong Sam in the movie?? (Sounding very excited) They are so beautiful!! This film is set in Hong Kong, in the 1960’s. But I don’t think they all wear such glamorous Cheong Sam in those days.

Xiaoting: I noticed all the Cheong Sam too!! I think the movie is set in a higher class apartment with all the higher-end people who can afford to custom make such fitting nice Cheong Sam. Wahhh, and Maggie Cheung has really nice figure too.

Peishan: Agree! Wong Kar-Wai was very smart and detailed in his filming techniques. Actually this whole movie is going at a very slow, casual pace. This relaxed pace and movements of the characters in this film further enhanced the sentimental feel in this whole movie . On top of the already slow paced film, Wong Kar-Wai slowed motion some parts of the movie, especially when filming Maggie Cheung’s back view .



Me: Haha. I realized. When she walks down the dark alley to “tabao” her noodles from the street hawker, the slow motion made emphasis on her sexy back. (Giggles from everyone)

Xiaoting: Actually generally I quite like the whole set up in this movie. Not only the Cheong Sam which I totally agree that it makes woman so attractive, so much more elegant and demure, I think the props used in this whole movie has a very strong 1960’s feel. It totally allows be to me immerse into that era. I love this rusted mirror, and Wong Kar-Wai intelligently film through the mirror reflection of the mirror at an angle. Like this screen shot.



Me: It is even more interesting to know that in this short 98 minutes movie, there are scenes from all around the world. Hong Kong, Bangkok(Thailand) and Cambodia.

Peishan: By including so many essence from other countries, it probably explains why this film can travel far and across boundaries. The 2 cinematographer, Christopher Doyle and Mark Lee Ping Bin are of different nationality too. In addition, the Spanish songs by Nat King Cole and Rebecca Pan’s rendition of Indonesian “Bengawan Solo” in this film allows people from all around the world to relate to it.

Xiaoting: Speaking of the music, I read in a review of this film, saying “melody filled pictures to paint a thousand words and communicate what it would have taken hours of dialogue to convey”. After watching, I totally agree to that statement.

Me: Me too! A lot of times the music brings out the feel of the whole scene. This show is slow but does not make me feel sleepy. The plot, filming techniques, acting and most importantly music kept me engaged throughout the movie!

Peishan: I agree. Xiaoting who is always so sleepy managed to finish watching this film without falling asleep explains all. I personally enjoyed watching this film too. It is amazing how the actors are conservative but seductive. The whole movie is just romantic! But so sad that in the end they didn’t get together. (Xiaoting and I nods in agreement).

[1] http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/01/13/mood.html
[2] http://www.mediacircus.net/inthemoodforlove.html
[3] http://www.brns.com/pages4/wkwai8.html

Thirty-second. 881 by Royston Tan (2007)

881 (2007)
Director: Roystan Tan



881 has absorbed me into the musical and happy film in the getai realm! Never in my life have I attended any of the getais in Singapore during the Hungry Ghosts Festival (or I would not have remembered even if my parents brought me). The impression of getai after watching 881 really changed and it is an intriguing show. 881 brings me into a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions, it started off really cheery and then it was so melodramatic, at another point it shows the fire to fight for their passion. It's full of ups and downs. Not forgetting the really catchy and nice hokkien songs from the getai realm. In terms of visual, it's all "bling-bling" with all the glittery costumes from the performers and Royston Tan is sure generous on showing off the colours that he can bring to the screen.



Apart from the fun and magical side of 881, I can say that the film is truly and only Singapore. If anyone were to watch it in any other countries, they would know that it is a Singapore production. And for that, I am proud and hold both thumbs up for Royston Tan in his ability to establish and identify our unique hybrid culture. The use of local fruits as part of the theme such as Durian sisters and Papaya as the name of the characters brings familiarity to me. It is hokkien, it is english, it is chinese and it is all the 'lah', 'leh' and 'loh' that makes me feel so much at home. Yet under such a bubbly show, lies strong meaning of life, death and the way of life.

The getai that exists mainly in Singapore and Malaysia, is to hold boisterous live performance during the Hungry Ghost Festival, in contrast to the generally solemn mood of the festival. The purpose of having the getai is to actually bring entertainment to the ghosts that would be released from Hell for a period of time. Therefore, though sounding cheerful, the songs actually have mention about death and suffering. One song in 881 (in hokkien) caught my attention and it was really sad but meaningful (I tried to translate it to English!)

My Last Breath (最后一口气）

有病有痛真~艱苦 出出入入是 壞埔(醫院)
It's so painful to be sick, just keeps going in and out of the hospital

打針會掉頭髮 吃藥強欲吐 歸日躺在眠床鋪
Injections will have hair loss, medicines make me puke and I just lay on the bed the whole day

求天公 我來求佛祖 乎我好好來行路
Oh my lord, I beg of you, just relief me of my pain

叫父母 恁就來帶我 帶我甲恁來作伴
Let my parents bring me away, to accompany you by your side


今年只有四十多 何必甲我來折磨
I'm only forty plus this year, why must thy torment me

死袂死 活袂活 剩半條命置咧拖
Neither dead nor living, I struggle while I'm dying

求天公 我來求佛祖 乎我好好來行路
Oh my lord, I beg of you, just relief me of my pain

叫父母 恁就來帶我 帶我甲恁來作伴
Let my parents bring me away, to accompany you by your side

人生我已經 看破
I'm sick of living...

This song is not only for the dead (ghosts) who comes back to listen to the getai, but in 881 it particularly talks about the pain of Little Papaya when she has contracted the same cancer her parents had succumbed to. It is a very touching movie and I thank the director for bringing the getai to me and many of the youths who had no interest in getais or the Singapore culture.

[1] 881 Review. Retrieved from http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2007/08/881-review.php
[2] 881 (Singapore) Reveiw. Retrieved from http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/881/881.htm
[3] 881: a gaudy spectecular show. Retrieved from http://www.fifo.sg/post/show/65

Thirty-first. The Wedding Banquet by Ang Lee (1993)

The Wedding Banquet (1993)
Director: Ang Lee



Once again the charlie's angels sat down together to watch another movie. This time it's The Wedding Banquet by Ang Lee. I guess this would be the last time we watch a film together because we really had to go and mug for our examinations after this. Nevertheless, we must always enjoy and relax...

Me: I enjoyed watching this movie as the content is slightly different and interesting!

Peishan: I think so too. It’s about closet homosexuals, transnational some more. It’s a American/Taiwanese romantic comedy.

Xiaoting: Haha. It is a comedy but at the same time touching. This movie showed family ties, tradition and acceptance.

Me: I learnt that relation to a movie is not purely about personal experience. For instance, homosexuality, is definitely not what I had experienced but it is an increasing trend I notice in the society.

Xiaoting: It also reflects the society’s view on homosexuals and parent’s concerns for their child’s future family . Wai-Tung’s parents kept calling from his hometown, Taiwan to Manhatten to ask about his marriage plans.

Peishan: Yar. When Wai-Tung is living with his American doctor boyfriend, Simon got many years already. It was difficult for him. All the family pressures are like those in an Asian family tradition. The tradition and generation gaps can also be seen from this movie.



Xiaoting: During the wedding ceremony. Such traditions made me realize that it is very sad that as ages pass, we are losing many traditions because the younger generation refuses to accept and hence lose the interest to learn and pass on such traditions. Not only for wedding ceremonies, but also burial ceremonies.

Me: I realize the comedy sets in also when the “fake” bride that Wai-Tung wanted to use in order to please his parents fell in love with him for real.

Xiaoting: Complicated relationships. Love triangle! I quite like the fact that this movie does not despise homosexuals, which will turn it into a “propaganda” type of movie that educate people and shape their mind to reject homosexuality.

Me: Lee managed to bring across these few themes in a comedy style where we laugh at it but still brings some reflections and thoughts back. Lee also managed to ably points out how honesty is the best policy.

Peishan: Correct. “Whatever the price of truth now, it's nothing compared to the inflated cost that awaits.” All in all, this movie is quite educational.

Xiaoting: Because it teaches us to see homosexuals from their point of view and to always be truthful to our families?

Peishan and myself: Yup!!!

[1] http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/1993/the-wedding-banquet/
[2] http://www.1worldfilms.com/weddingbanquet.htm

Thirtieth. Sepet by Yasmin Ahmad (2004)

Sepet (2004)
Director: Yasmin Ahmad

As my close reading assignment was on Gubra, another film by Yasmin Ahmad, which was also a sequel to Sepet. I believe after watching Sepet, it helped me understand Gubra more in terms of why Orked never tried to salvage her relationship with her husband when he cheated on her.

My favourite part of the movie is actually when Orked and Jason first met at the pirated CD store.


Love at first sight


Who is this angel that landed on earth?


Oh man... she's really an angel.


Bye, my angel

You can see from Jason's expression that he was lovestruck on first sight. Haha.. Personally I felt that Sepet is actually nicer than Gubra because it is quite cheerful at the start and always the first stages of a relationship is sort of the best, that is, the chase. And towards the end of the film there was a really dark side of the film where it was not expected that Jason would die in a traffic accident. However, I felt that Yasmin Ahmad's play of controversial roles in terms of cross-culture relationship and crossing religious boundaries was better in Gubra because of its second story, which was about a Malay prostitute Temah and even the sequel became more dark. In Gubra, it taught me that in life, separation is a also a kind of solution. In Sepet, it taught me the meaning of loving for the sake of love.

[1] Sepet: Beyond a Malaysian Love Story. Retrieved from http://www.ximnet.com.my/thelab/comments/comments.asp?id=53
[2] Sepet: A Malaysian Movie. Retrieved from http://www.infernalramblings.com/articles/Entertainment/291/
[3] Yasmin Ahmad's Films by Amir Muhammad: Sepet (Book)
[4] Sepet, Review. Retrieved from http://shafiqiskandar.wordpress.com/sepet-film-review/

Twenty-ninth. Home Run by Jack Neo (2003)

Home Run (2003)
Director: Jack Neo



After a few group viewing sessions together, again the charlie angels (haha) decided to come out with another creative way to conduct our discussion! We shall do it by question and answer style! Each person will take turn to ask a question and the two others will share their answers. Only then, the person who asked the question will then share her answer. For some questions, there may not be a correct or wrong answer. Hence this is also like a sharing session among the 3 of us about this local film.

Fun Facts!

My Question: Do you know that this film is a remake of an award winning Iranian film, Children of Heaven?

Xiao Ting: Yup, I know the story line is not original by Jack Neo but I didn’t know the original film is named Children of Heaven until I read the reviews yesterday.

Pei Shan: Yup, I knew it since I first watched this film in 2003.

Yvonne: Actually Jack Neo decided to remake the Iran film as he was touched to tears after watching it with his wife!



Xiao Ting's Question: “Jack Neo wanted to use this remake to emphasis on the message of friendship and kinship.” Do you see more of friendship or kinship?

Pei Shan:I think I see more kinship, because ultimately the story still revolves around the 2 young lead actors, Shawn and Megan.

Me: Actually I can feel both friendship and kinship deeply portrayed in this whole film, but I have to agree with Peishan, I see more kinship too.

Xiao Ting: HAHA. I have the exact same view as you two.


Peishan's Question: What did you learn from this movie? Or what do you think is the moral of this movie plot?

Xiao Ting: Run to school everyday, and you can pass your NAPFA test with flying colours! HAHA. From this movie I see a lot of kinship, how siblings look after each other. How they are so young yet considerate for their family, understanding the circumstances they are in and tries to make the best out of it instead of complaining which is a common sign in the modern family.

Me: Always watch what is on the ground, especially during a running race. Hmmm.. probably more of friends being an important group of people in life. In face of troubles when the family is unable to help, friends will be there. From this movie, I further see what people meant by, it is in face of hard times that we see true friends.

Pei Shan: Yupp, I feel that this movie showed us the strong friendship and kinship between people and family members. Like how my parents always mention their kampong days, where the whole village knows everyone else, including the name of their neighbour’s dog! Such closeness is what we cannot see in the modern society even we are staying so much closer in HDBs.




My Question: Do you know of the political side of this film ?

Xiao Ting I only read about how it is banned in Malaysia but never went into knowing the detail why. But I heard in the movie just now about some announcement of Singapore’s separation from Malaysia.

Pei Shan Yup, I heard that part too. It was Lee Kuan Yew’s voice on a radio in the background announcing the separation.

My response: It is due to these political issues present in the movie that cause it to be banned in Malaysia even after appeal to screen. On top of the announcement on the radio, riot at the rubbish dump is depicting the labour strikes and riots of 1960’s. “Little Red Dot” is a phrase used by former Indonesian president Jusuf Habibie to disparage Singapore, and it is used as a name in the show. Water dispute on drawing water from the kampong well reflects the water issue between Singapore and Malaysia.


Peishan's Question: Will this film be more international than the other Jack Neo’s production like “I Not Stupid” and “Money Not Enough”?

Me: All these films by Jack Neo are rather successful ones in Singapore. Homerun should be able to be more internationally recognize since Megan won the golden horse award, and the movie talks about friendship and kinship which is a very general idea everyone can relate to.

Xiao Ting: I think this film will definitely be more international because “I Not Stupid” and “Money Not Enough” shows more of Singapore’s current society which people in other countries may not be able to find the relation. Some jokes for instance, only Singaporeans who understand the government systems and law are able to get the meaning. However homerun has less of that reflection of current society but more on narration of a pure story.

Pei Shan: I have similar thoughts as both of you too. (:


Xiao Ting's Question: Do you all realize Jack Neo likes to use young actors in his movie? What are your views about it?

Me: I think the young actors are cute. With the young actors in the movie, Jack Neo can make use of a child’s naïve thinking to make funny comments or speech.

Pei Shan: Yup I realize the repeated actors in “I Not Stupid” and “Homerun”. I don’t find anything wrong with using those actors. Infact it makes the movie more of a family movie where children can also relate to easily.

Xiao Ting: From a review, the critique mentioned that Jack Neo is “using his characters as a personal soapbox ”, referring to all the young actors. I disagree with that. In fact I feel that Jack Neo has tried to design dialogues and speeches for the children such that they are similar to that of what the children in the current society follows.

[1] http://historyworkroom.com/?p=23
[2] http://www.filmsasia.net/gpage155.html

Twenty-eighth. Cape No. 7 by Te-Sheng Wei (2008)

Cape No. 7 (2008)
Director: Te-Sheng Wei



When I first started watching this movie, I felt that I would not be interested in the movie as the progress was really slow. Furthermore, as there were random flashbacks, I was confused at the start.

An interesting point about this movie is that the actors and actresses are not the usual popular ones that filmmakers sought after when making a film. Hence this point itself made me interested to continue watching for the reviews received were great.

I loved the part where he found the parcel and it was the love letters from a Japanese to his love in Taiwan many years ago. The unsent love letters correspond to the main theme of Cape No. 7. The flashbacks were done in a nostalgic and affectionate fashion, the narrative and voiceover were very gentle. The main song of the movie which was also the song that the movie evolved around left me with the deepest impression. It is very nice and together with it's deep meaning of the lyrics. It kind of appealed to me because I like these kind of sentimental music. Despite the romance, it was really heartwarming to look at all the different kinds of people, like old men, gangsters and a young girl coming together to form a band that plays exceptionally well! They are really young at heart. These characters were neither handsome nor masculine, but their heart to perform as a band moved me greatly.



As the movie splits into two parts, between the past and the present. However, the love story that had happened in the past runs parallel to Aga's current situation with Tomoko. He heads a band in performing this song at the end of the movie. Prior to the performance, the band faced many troubles as they have very different characters. But to put up the best performance, they resolved all problems and successfully gave a splendid performance. Although the ending is, as usual, a happy ending, I still like it!

[1] Movie Review: Cape No. 7. Retrieved from http://taiwanonymous.blogspot.com/2008/10/movie-review-cape-no-7.html
[2] Cape No. 7. Retrieved from http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/capeno7/capeno7.htm
[3] Cape No. 7. Retrieved from http://www.lovehkfilm.com/panasia/cape_no_7.html

Twenty-seventh. Be With Me by Eric Khoo (2005)

Be With Me (2005)
Director: Eric Khoo



The usual trio musketeers are here to do another movie review! Here is our conversation. (:

Me: This is really a very touching movie. Despite its minimalist style with not much dialogue. Each of the 4 stories – “Meant to be”, “Puppy Love stage”, “Finding Love” as well as the true story of Ms Teresa Chan that have really touched my heart.

Xiao Ting: Yup. I agree. I would never have known that our Singaporean director can produce such wonderful film within Singapore setting with inexperienced and not exactly renowned actors and actress if I have not take Asian Film history.

Pei Shan: Yes I agree too. The themes of love, hope and destiny is weaven into the film seamlessly. I have no idea why. But after watching this show, the following song “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus came into my mind. I felt it describes to a certain extent Ms Teresa Chan. This is because I felt that Teresa’s sheer determination and optimistic views which eventually led her to succeed is somewhat similar to the sense of satisfaction and joy one will feel whenever one accomplished what seemed hard to accomplish originally. I am so inspired to be like her. I shall listen to this song everyday to constantly motivate myself.

The Climb lyrics

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/miley-cyrus-lyrics/the-climb-lyrics.html ]

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

Xiao Ting: I think this song “I’ll Move On” [attached file here] is more apt for the movie. Moreover, it is by our own local artist, Olivia Ong.

This road that I'm taking twists and turns
My life my chance turning dreams into reality.
Down this path faced with so many things
Sometimes I feel like giving up and turn away

Can't seem to go on
And I've been thru' this before
Now where am I?
Where do I stand?
A little lost here.
But I'll remember.
All those times you've bought me thru'.
I'd be a fool to give up cos' the goal is near

I'll move on I'll go on.
Lord I will take your hand.
And you will guide me along.
Survive thru' this storm.
So I say, come what may.
I'll hold on to my hope.
Yes, I will walk down this road.
And my passion drive will lead me on

Here I am Once again caught in the rain.
Looking back I've come so far And I want to carry on
Take a step at time
It's alright.
Even thru' this rain, I want to smile again

Don't hold back now.
And i've been thru' this before.
Now where am I?
Where do I stand?
A little lost here.
But I'll remember.
All those times you've bought me thru'.
I can feel the sun shining down on me

Here I am, Here I am.
Lord I will take your hand.
And you will guide me along.
Survive thru' this storm.
So I say, come what may.
I'll hold on to my hope.
Yes, I will walk down this road.
And my passion drive will lead me on.

Me: I agree with you girls. Actually, the other 3 stories that I have mentioned just now are also very reflective of the society we are in and displayed the theme of love, hope and destiny too. Like what one of the review I has came across, this film shows “truly an amazing journey of life, love, loss and an inspiration to guide us all ”

Pei Shan: Yes. This is 1 of the film I like the best so far.

[1] Pere, O. (n.d.). The Festival de Cannes Directors' Fortnight. Retrieved from: http://www.zhaowei.com/bewithme.html
[2] Shih, S. (2005, September 08). Movie Review of Be With Me by Eric Khoo. Retrieved from: http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/bewithme/bewithme.htm

Twenty-sixth. The Story of Qiu Ju by Zhang Yimou (1992)

The Story of Qiu Ju (1992)
Director: Zhang Yimou

We have once again decided to watch 1 of the films among our list of 40 films together. We have chosen to watch the day itself after we have Mr. Tan had went through on China National Cinema as we felt that it will give us a deeper insight to the works of both the director Zhang Yimou and Gong Li (who acted as the main female lead in the film, Qiu Ju ) who have established their reputation with their previous collaboration (Jou Du, Raise the Red Lantern and Red Sorghum) .

Just before the lesson itself, we had each done some research on the reviews of this film respectively.

Me: Pei Shan! I found this blog that showed quite a few photos of the scenes in the film itself. You can use it to do your photo montage as you have always liked to do.

Pei Shan: Sure. And here it is:



Pei Shan: I have done the research and have done up the montage this time round already. Ha.

XIaoTing: Ok! Let’s focus on watching the film. From my research, the Chinese view this film as comedy. However, the Western critics who have written the reviews that I have found could not really phantom why the Chinese have thought that certain parts were humorous.

Me: I guessed it might be due to the different cultures of the East and the West. Maybe it is because some of the meaning of the film originally in Chinese has been lost during translation for the Western critics. We shall just watched and decide if we felt that it is a comedy.

Pei Shan: Maybe Gong Li is too pretty for them to perceive her as a comic actress i.

We began watching the 110 minutes film.

Pei Shan: Actually, the doctor has already given a remedy that will redress Qiu Ju’s concern about her husband’s possible incapacity from this scene:



Subtitle translates: Keep it straight and let the air get at it.

Xiaoting: Yes. If only Qiu Ju has not been so determined and feministic, the ending might not have been so tragic for the chief of the village, who is actually deserving of his position. He did not bear grudge to the grief he has suffered due to Qiu Ju’s complaints; instead, he did his duty as a village chief to help his villagers as he carry Qiu Ju to the hospital when Qiu Ju got into labor late one ngiht and could not deliver her baby such that both her baby and herself were in danger. If only…

Me: But there is no wrong being a feminist and fighting for her right isn’t it. I agree with one of the point from one of the reviewi that Qiu Ju is just another victim of any legal system of justice. We are just being too often caught in dilemma about what is right or wrong as well as the emotional and humanity aspects that might be linked and intertwined with it.

Xiao Ting: O that is quite philosophical. Let’s get back to the question on if I have felt if this is a comedy. I don’t think so. What do the 2 of you think?

Pei Shan: Maybe as we are “rojak” of the East and West culture. Yes, I do not think it is exactly a comedy to me.

Me: Yes, I agree. However, I do feel sad for the village chief’s plight at the end.

[1] Stone, A. A. (1993, September/October). Comedy and Culture in Boston Review. Retrieved from http://bostonreview.net/BR18.5/alanstone.html
[2] NB47. (2007, Nov 24). Zhang Yimou- Qiu Ju da guan si ('The Story of Qiu Ju') 1992. Retrieved from http://avaxhome.ws/video/genre/drama/quiju_by_yimou.html
[3] Retrieved from http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDYwNjAwMzI=.html

Twenty-fifth. A Tale of Two Sisters by Kim Jee-woon (2003)

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Director: Kim Jee-woon

Although I was sure that I promised myself that Nang Nak would be the ONLY horror film I'm going to watch this semester, little did I know that A Moon Light Dinner by Yukata Ikejuma (1998) was a horror and erotic film (to my horror, I truly dislike both genres D: ) and it was unavailable therefore I made it up with another horror film, A Tale of Two Sisters. As usual, I'm so timid, but I'm so curious about what the story is like, so I had gathered many of my friends to watch again, and here goes. A heart stopping film...

A tale of two sisters is a Korean psychological horror film directed by Kim Ji-woon. The story started when Su –mi was brought back home from the mental hospital by her father together with her sister Su-yeon and they met their stepmother at home.
Strange things started to occur in the house after the sisters’ return and the stepmother thinks that it is due to the presence of Su-mi and Su-yeon. I feel that the ambience of the movie is perfectly tune to making audiences feel goose bumps throughout the whole movie. Adding on to it, the house also feels ghastly, with the whole house being dark even during the day, and with a lot of dark corners and blind spots.

This movie thoroughly plays with the audiences mind, having numerous unexpected scenes which will give sudden shock to all. Director Kim succeeded in building up the horror of the movie by using eerie sound and numerous unexpected “exposure”, however, I feel that the story can be rather confusing as it hovers around numerous flashbacks and turns of event. Certain parts of the movie leave me scratching head.

However, the last part of the movie did reveal that actually the whole thing about the stepmother and Su-yeon was just her imagination. Su-yeon was dead and I am not very sure, but I would think that the death of Su-yeon is cause by Su-mi.
Overall, the horror element is too overwhelming for me. It's so scary! Sigh, my heart can't take it anymore. But I liked this film although it gives me the creeps and I couldn't sleep for many nights. I think that this is a superb movie for horror freaks. However, one must watch the show carefully, to avoid missing certain portions which may result in leaving you baffled about what is happening. Sadly, I was not watching it carefully as many parts I had my hands over my eyes and only looked that the subtitle from the edge of screen. Fortunately, my friends were there to tell me what had happened. Yay.

[1] A Tale of Two Sisters (2003). Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www.eatmybrains.com/showreview.php?id=53
[2] A Tale of Two Sisters. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www.snowbloodapple.com/ataleoftwosisters.htm

Twenty-fourth. Saint Jack by Peter Bogdonovich (1979)

Saint Jack (1979)
Director: Peter Bogdonovich

I've decided to do my own impression of Jack Flowers in Saint Jack.
Feel free to click on the photos for a better image!

A rough sketch...


Trying to bring out our saint...


Adding the tattoos: Saint Jack and Merlion stands for Singapore.
The halo over the Merlion symbolises a saint.


The prostitute cigar


My impression of Saint Jack (:


[1] Movie Review: Saint Jack (1979). Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9502EFDF173EE732A25754C2A9629C946890D6CF
[2] Saint Jack. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://anutshellreview.blogspot.com/2006/08/saint-jack.html
[3] Saint Jack. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www1.epinions.com/review/mvie_mu-1018088/content_13583421060

Twenty-third. Betelnut Beauty by Lin Cheng Seng (2001)

Betelnut Beauty (2001)
Director: Lin Cheng Seng

To be frank, I did not like this film at all. I felt that the romance of the betelnut beauty and the protagonist was at a very shallow point of view. If there were any other hidden meanings in this film, I may not have understood it. I could not find an explanation in the reviews either. However, this film may bring the attention of the Taiwanese culture as betelnut beauties are often seen in Taiwan. It kind of exposes me to the different cultures and perhaps into the gangster realm. Additionally, I did not like the erotica elements within this film, partly because I felt a little weird watching it. It was not my usual cup of tea and it is still not a nice cup of tea to me. haha

The expression I gave after watching this film was

:/

[1] Betelnut Beauty by Wong Lung Hsiang. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www.filmsasia.net/gpage139.html
[2] Betelnut Beauty (2001). Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/67673/betelnut_beauty.html

Twenty-second. Red Cliff 1 by John Woo (2008)

Red Cliff (2008)
Director: John Woo



In a nutshell, Red cliff is based on ancient china history the Battle of red cliff which happened during the end of the Han Dynasty and immediately prior to the period of the Three Kingdoms in ancient China. However, director John Woo decided to alter the historical basis of the movie using his own feeling and modern feelings in order to make the movie widely accepted by the mainstream audiences and marketing. In spite of this, the gist of the story remained the same as its history that is the fewer and weaker defeating the more and stronger.

Red cliff is the most expensive Asian financed film to date, and this can be shown from the movie’s epic war scene with realistic CGI effects. The filming took place at the real historical site of red cliff, which I feel give the movie a more realise feel rather than having the red cliff being created through computer effect.

In a campaign to eliminate the southern warlord Sun Quan and Liu Bei, Cao Cao brings forth his 80,000 soldiers and succeeded in conquering the southern provinces and lunging forward. Everything seemed lost, but Zhuge liang managed to bridge an alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Despite still being outnumbered by Cao Cao staggering 80,000 soldiers, the alliance with the wits, knowledge and courage of Zhou Yu, Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu managed to defeat Cao Cao at the red cliff.

I feel that the movie is intelligently thought out, with large emphasis on the Chinese Art of War (Sun Zi Bing Fa). For audiences who know nuts about china history and Art of War, this movie will provide a good insight to it. Director Woo clearly depicts the various Chinese Art of War strategies in the movie such as the Eight Trigrams Formation.

I particularly like the acting of Tony Leung as the quick witted, composed and courageous Zhou Yu. He succeeded in projecting the character of Zhou Yu in his masterful acting and facial expressions, despite the fact that he was burned out after filming Lust, Caution prior to accepting the role of Zhou Yu. Besides, who would've thought that Zhu Ge Liang could be so handsome! Haha. Overall, Red Cliff is a good film to watch, thumbs up!

[1] The Battle of Red Cliffs. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/34History359.html
[2] Review of Red Cliff. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2008/07/review-of-red-cliff.php

Twenty-first. Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki (2004)

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki

"What he (Hayao Mizayaki) creates is not a kiddie movie that appeals to adults, but an adult movie that appeals to kids; that said, it requires a certain suspension of disbelief – not conceptual, but conventional – to be able to endure the many twists and turns, most of which go unexplained, that Miyazaki presents his audience."

- Todd Gilchrist

I absolutely loved the film. Just like any of Hayao Miyazaki's films, his imagination and fantasy like animation never failed to impress and captured my heart. It's so beautiful, and for whichever reasons, it makes me tear every time I watch and re-watch his films. These are my favourite parts in Howl's Moving Castle.

Howl's clumsy moving castle

Hmmm! I've got to stay calm...


I move the castle!


Sophie's kindness


You can come here whenever you want, Sophie


We can't let those bombs kill anyone anymore.


You're so warm and fluttery like a butterfly, Calsifur


Wow Sophie, your hair looks just like starlight. It's beautiful...


[1] Howl's Moving Castle Review: A terrific little fantasy that will arouse one's childlike curiosity. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://movies.ign.com/articles/624/624042p1.html
[2] Howl's Moving Castle Review. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://omohide.com/1778/howls-moving-castle-review/
[3] Howl's Moving Castle by Jasper Sharp. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/howlsmovingcastle.shtml
[4] Review of Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Retrieved on 1 May 2011 from http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2011/03/review-of-howls-moving-castle-by-diana-wynne-jones/

Twentieth. Nang Nak by Nonzee Nimibutr (1999)

Nang Nak (1999)
Director: Nonzee Nmibutr

I watched Nang Nak together with my friends Xiaoting, Peishan and some other friends that were not from this course. As all of us were very afraid of horror movies, we took a deep breath and a leap of courage to bring ourselves to watch this very popular Thai horror movie in 1999. That was why we had to gather many friends, the more the merrier. Still, the experience of going through the horror elements in the film especially towards the last part when she starts to go to the temple to haunt all the monks was really agonizing. Our hearts almost stopped when we watched it. Our faces were like…



If we were to follow Abbas Kiarostami’s style of filming faces and portraits of actresses while they watch a movie like in Shiri, filming our faces when we’re watching Nang Nak would turn out into a comedy instead. And we made sure that this would be the only horror film that we’ll be watching for this film diary.

After the EXCITING film, this was the conversation that we had.

Yvn: Wahh… that was damn scary lah!

XiaoTing and Peishan nods furiously.

Peishan: But I feel that the wife is really quite poor thing, because she was just unlucky that she died when her husband is away and that she lost the child too.

XiaoTing: Yeah, at first it was kind of peaceful and we knew that she meant no harm, she still wanted to take care of her husband and imaginary child.

Yvn: And her undying and overwhelming love really gave her a lot a lot of power for her to create an illusion for such a long time for her husband…

Peishan: But I believe it is because the husband had also a very strong love for his wife for him to be under the illusion…

XiaoTing: It was quite sad that when he realized something was wrong he tried to kill his ghost wife by burning down the house. I sympathize with Nang Nak actually in this case. She must have felt very hurt and betrayed that is why she is so angry.

Yvn: But I think exorcising her is the only way to be liberated from the pain. In the first place, it was no one’s fault that she ended up this way. When she went into labour, I’m sure the villagers also tried their best to help her.

Peishan: Actually, I’m always very interested in these kinds of folktales. Although she does not have long hair, her face is really scary with all the effects and her mouth that is always very black.

XiaoTing: Yeah, the black thing that the villagers always keep chewing on… What’s that?

Yvn: Don’t know… haha. I always want to watch horror films because I’m very curious about how the characters, normally a girl or woman, turns into a vengeful spirit because of the people who harmed them. But I would always regret everytime after watching it cause I’ll think too much and won’t be able to sleep at night.

XiaoTing: Imagine watching in a theatre where the sound effects are really very loud and scary!

Peishan: But from research, I found out that the tale of Nang Nak is one of the most popular in Thailand. People really believed in it and they have a shrine for her. It is said that if you pray at her shrine, the spirit of Nang Nak will protect you. It is still very popular in Thailand now.

XiaoTing: Yeah the shrine has a statue of Nang Nak in gold. She is also carrying her baby. Maybe the shrine and the tale remind the Thai of a wife’s loyalty and love and how benevolent this love is.

Yvn: Wow, her statue sure looks really really creepy...


Paying respects to Nang Nak at her shrine

[1] NANG NAK Thailand 'GHOST WIFE' SLOW MOVING SUPERNATURAL ROMANCE. Retrieved on 30 April 2011 from http://www1.epinions.com/review/mvie_mu-1102083/content_191578672772
[2] One of the most popular Thai Ghost Stories. Retrieved on 30 April 2011 from http://ghostsofthailand.com/Nang_Nak_Thai_Spirit.html
[3] Nang Nak Ghost Shrine. Retrieved on 30 April from http://www.richardbarrow.com/unseen-thailand/nang-nak-ghost-shrine.html

Nineteenth. Blissfully Yours by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (2004)

Blissfully Yours (2004)
Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul



Above is a montage of our favourite scenes from Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Blissfully Yours produced in 2004. We (Xiao Ting, Peishan and myself) have decided to come together to watch this show together after FIL230 session, a week after we had made friends with one another during Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Uncle Boonmee who can recall his past lives.

In our own opinion these scenes were our favourite only because they were the more aesthetically pleasant ones. It was also because of the following reasons:

For instances, the two pictures of the scenes from the top right hand corner of this montage in the clockwise direction showcase Achiatpong taking its tone and viewpoint from those of the not sophiscated Min (starred by Min Oo). I pointed out that the two pictures are in fact diary notes and sketches of Min that were some sometimes superimposed over the images in the film itself. We were initially quite puzzled by the appearance of the superimposed sketches. Thanks goodness Xiao Ting had done her research on the movie review before this film. Hence she explained to us that “Min is slightly rounded out through voiceovers and the superimposed drawings he has made- another distancing device meant to give viewers to identify with him” Meanwhile just as we were all on this topic of the diary notes and sketches, Xiao Ting has a flair in drawing excellent sketches as well as we noticed XiaoTing's sketches in her daily planner. I too helped out with designing the montage. (:

Meanwhile, the two scenes at the bottom of the montage present to us the scenes on the journey from inside the car in which Roong (starred by Kanokporn Tongaram) took Min out to the jungle for a picnic and other things that lovers do together. However, for the 3 of us the emphasis was more on appreciating the beautiful sceneries that were presented to us on their way to the jungle for the picnic. Although the bottom right hand corner one had been in fact removed from the Thai released, we all thought that it was a good shot and a good transition to the second part of the film in the forest. This particular scene in fact depict that the focus of the firm has now already shifted away from their urban lives (and perhaps the hardship they suffered in their normal daily live at work etc. back in the city. The village look so serene, peaceful and calm. Meanwhile the bottom left hand corner is a picture of the scene of the winding road to the forest from the city. This is in fact a symbol of the characters’ moving on from their life in the city to the short get-away in the jungle. These 2 pictures from the Toyota Corollas’s front and back windshield showing the sceneries on their way to the forest were my personal favourite as it brought back fond memories of my road trip with friends to Chiang Mai 3 years ago.

We were also captivated by the sceneries in the forest near the Thai-Burmese border. The breathtaking sceneries were shown by the two pictures on the top left hand corner of the montage that show the characters in the forest from different views. In particular, the most top left hand corner of the montage actually shows the two pair of couples (Min and Roong as well as Om and her lover [Tommy] indulging in the acts of fulfilling their various desires) nearby each other (in fact, only separated by a tree)

The 3 of us unanimously voted the screen shot in the middle as the picture that we loved the most in the movie and have thus created a heart-shaped effect around the screen shot. These beautiful sceneries shots in the film made it easier for normal audiences like us to become aware of the issues of the shattered Thai economy and the Burmese military junta subtly.

[1] TR. (n.d.). Time Out Film Guide .Retrieved from: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/68019/blissfully-yours.html
[2] Young, D. (2002, May 17). Film review for Blissfully Yours Sud Sanaeha (Drama-Un Certain Regard/Thailand-France). Retrieved from: http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117917770?refcatid=1050
[3] Pinkerton, N. (2006). Reverse Shot. Retrieved from: http://www.reverseshot.com/article/blissfully_yours

Seventeenth. The Goddess by Wu Yonggang (1934)

The Goddess (1934)
Director: Wu Yonggang

For this film, I watched with my friends Pei Shan and Xiao Ting! This is the conversation that we had after watching the film. We didn't really like it a lot maybe because it's a silent film. But this is my second glimpse of Ruan Lingyu and this was the third last film she acted in before she died in 1935.


Me: So how you all feel about the movie?

Xiaoting: mmm… I guess it was quite boring.

Me: yeah I think it was quite boring too. The story is kind of cliché about how a single woman tries to give the best for her son against all odds.

Peishan: But I think right… we cannot forget this is actually done in 1934!

Xiaoting: Yeah, the theme of having prostitutes in the past in China is something that is not very glorious.

Me: Yet the director actually named this film the goddess…

Peishan: By right the goddess in the past refers to someone who is pure and filled with love. But this time what we see is a prostitute that is often looked down by the society.

Xiaoting: Then I guess the director really does have an open mind at that point of time because these kind of undying love for her child is often… erm overlooked by everyone in China…

Me: Maybe it was sort of an autobiography of himself and that’s how he wants to repay his mum… or like pay a tribute to her as he appreciates her benevolent love!

Peishan: Haha.. maybe.. I think Ruan Lingyu is really pretty…

Xiaoting: Yeah… during that time she really has a lot of elegance!

Me: I hate the fat fat guy that treats her like she’s his property. Like some ‘jikopeh’ know!

Peishan: Err.. in the film he actually is a ‘jikopeh’ haha.

Me: Oh yeah, that explains. But I’m quite sure that during that time I would have hated these kind of men in China who think they are so big because they have power and money and because they are guys. But then again, if I were to be in that era, I would have conformed to the society’s standards.

Peishan: Her life must be damn hard...from the way she looks and how tired she gets after every night We should give credit to this film because it is done such a long time ago!
Peishan: Yeah I think so too, the part where she is with her son is so soothing. It kind of brought to me that she really loves him a lot.

Xiaoting: Well, I bet your mother loves you as much.

Peishan: I am grateful for that… (:

Me: Me too! But I almost fell asleep while watching the film hahah. Oops.

Peishan: The review says that in China at that time she is actually portrayed as an independent woman because of that kind of strong determination that she has. Well, we wouldn’t know what had happened to her husband. But in the film she wasn’t well-liked by many people right…

Xiaoting: Yeah kind of, you can see it from other people’s expression when they look at her. It looks like they are disgusted with her but some do look like they pity her because of her status and her son.

Me: Well, even for us, in our society if we just look at a prostitute there are some kind of stereotypes that appear in our minds, like those negative kind, but we’ll never know if they are actually working to support their own children.

[1] Wu Yonggang – Shen nü / The Goddess (1934). Retrieved on 29 April 2011 from http://somewordsandplaces.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/wu-yonggang-shen-nu-the-goddess-1934/