Kudos to Singapore Shortcuts Films 2015 -Awesome Films

Returning with its 12th edition, Singapore Short Cuts continues to be one of the most distinguished showcases of Singapore short films. The programme features a wide selection of recent works including documentaries, animation and experimental films paired with engaging post-screening discussions with the filmmakers. Some of the filmmakers whose films have been featured in previous editions of the Singapore Short Cuts include Ho Tzu Nyen, Anthony Chen, Boo Junfeng, Sun Koh, Tan Pin Pin and Eric Khoo. 

Last year I did not manage to catch the films and this year I'm glad I did. Specially since its SG50 and I heard more funding was provided and hence there were more films to choose from to feature. I hope its not SG50 but that the government will create more funding for anyone who is interested in portraying an issue through films - and Provide more avenues for these films to be shown - best if throughout the years - in schools; in their functions etc - to create more awareness and support. 

24 October, 3pm (M18)	25 October, 3pm (PG)
The Tiger of 142B Pifuskin The Great Escape Not Working Today The Body November  Passenger Total running time: 104mins	The Swan of Tuonela Three Little Pigs Anchovies Dahdi My Autograph Book  Total running time: 102mins

After having watch the films featured on 24 Oct, I just had to go back for the 25 Oct. And this time making time to hear from the directors and cast. 



There were many of the films that I liked, but these few stood out and tugged at the strings of my heart.
The great thing about films is that the symbolization and themes are how you interpret them to be with your actual experiences and the learning from your own reflection.

#1

The Tiger of 142B
Dir. Henry & Harry Zhuang
2015 | Singapore | Drama/Mystery | 11 mins | In English | PG13

Synopsis: Kevin, an unemployed man in his late twenties, finds communicating with his girlfriend increasingly difficult. At the same time, a series of mysterious killings suddenly unsettles the people of Block 142B. Some claim to have seen a roaming tiger at the estate… Adapted from Dave Chua’s short story ‘The Tiger of 142B’ from the book ‘The Beating and Other Stories’.

This film spoke to me in these cuts:
Unemployed husband living on the salary of his working wife - where he tries to please her by pretending to be someone he is not (said he will repair the piano that she likes but instead spends the money she gives him to get a repairman to tune the piano). She strays and is found smsing 'a friend' on the phone constantly and eventually he spots her going up the 'friend' car. He rejecting a job because of the look in the interviewer eyes. And the tiger appears in his life. 
- To me, the tiger was symbolizing him. The desperation and losing of control and most importantly lacking of respect from others, caused him to take on another role in the fantasy he lives in. Someone with power, who vents his frustration through the killings, just to escape from the reality which no longer accepts him.

#2

Passenger / Tang Kang Sheng / 19:30 / NC16 – Special Jury Prize; and Best Performance (Teo Jun Jie & Lau Xiang Ying) – w/ director and co-writer in attendance - Zhen Hui and Minyi run into each other at a class gathering during their final year. Through the night they rekindle the past and romantic interest grows that was already there before. However it is unable to progress because something hangs over them and they quickly realize that what they have with each other has to expire. .

Passenger 夜路 Trailer from Tang Kang Sheng on Vimeo.
This film spoke to me in these cuts: I can't remember word for word but here's the gist
Can you be more responsible? You were the one who said you did not want to go home. What were the last few years to you? Laughter and giggles. 
- Many people try to maintain relationships by shutting themselves down, not communicating, but disregarding to prevent quarrels. And after a while, just like a seed, this irritation grows till it finally explodes and it leads to divorce. And just like the laughter and giggles that tries to hide the tension, its a short term solution that won't solve the problem.

Three Little Pigs

Ang Geck Geck

Cecilia, an introvert preschooler, is selected to represent her school in a storytelling competition. But first, she has to present the story to her classmates. Excited by the opportunity, Cecilia is determined to shine despite the many obstacles in her way.

在幼兒園上課的Cecilia 被老師選為班上的講故事代表。獲得這次難得的機會，她感到興奮不已，但卻也讓自己陷入了自我的掙扎之中。

This film caused me to tear :

- Do we know our neighbors? Will we render help OR do we just say its other people's business? How many children such as the protagonist is still waiting for that kind assistance in Singapore? I've seen many similar situations and I lament at myself in forgetting, in not searching them out to provide a more long term assistance. Its not the grandparents fault. Many are 'thrown' with the children because the parents separate or at times end up in jail due to petty crimes and they themselves are struggling to survive to care about the 'heart welfare' of the child. Many children end up with the dreams of escaping by dropping out of school and working at very young ages, and finding security in the wrong places - and that vicious cycle for the next generation. If only. 

Dahdi [Granny]

Kirsten Tan 
Singapore / 2014 / 

An elderly widow finds an unexpected visitor, a young asylum-seeking girl, in her home during dinner. The widow is trapped between morality and legality. She chose legality.Inspired by a 2012 event, whereby 40 Burmese Rohingya asylum seekers due to shipwreck arrived on the shores of Pulau Ubin.

This film caused me to tear :

- The eyes of the child so lost and so helpless and so fearful of the world - Left with no one. Yet because of possible circumstances, (what came to my mind when I watched this film was the sharing by my Burmese friend that a lot of the Rohingyas nowadays are rumored to actually be paid by ISIS to spread the ideology in the countries they escape to, and in Myanmar these days, Rohingyas have become rich and are moving closer and closer to the city center.) and so do we disregard rationality ? Same as how the problem now is with European Refugees ; and instances of Australia and USA with the extreme ideologies of the shooters. How many things that we hope are simple are instead that with many layers of complexities. Am I being selfish to be considering those other factors?

The Autograph Book

Singapore /Wee Li Lin

Autograph books, filled with poems and prose penned by friends or frenemies alike, were key to deciphering the messy web of primary school friendships. Take a nostalgic meander down memory lane in Autograph Book, which looks at how a tender friendship between two 12-year-old girls is put to the test.

This film made me reflect:

- on how past experiences have made me who I am today. Friendships. Failures. Successes. Relationships. 

Let our journey be something we enjoy not live with regrets.

Not Working Today

Shijie Tan
Singapore / 2014 / Fiction / 19'19

Synopsis: Apu Ahasan decides one day to not go to work but instead go to the governmental office to complain against his employer who has not paid salary to him and his co-workers. However to prevent being found out, he fakes illness.In the governmental office, an errant lawyer comes up to him to suggest to use him as a lawyer which thankfully he did not accept and the officer who questions him on the case.

This film made me reflect on the current migrant situation in Singapore:
- These bosses who do not pay salary, you are incorrigible. Coming from 2 sides of the coins, There are Migrant Workers who truly need help and those who are just taking advantage of the fact that they are migrant and then cheat through their situation. And many have commented that the tone in which the officer use is not appropriate just because they are migrants. But... The officer uses the same official tone with us Singaporeans. Its their duty to find out the actual situation and ask questions. 

And it made me reflect on M21- A social enterprise that I visited in Hongkong where students were given the fundings and courses to explore issues through making of a film. I wonder if we could explore this further in schools. Its an effective way of education through reflection rather than just instructions and words.

There's one last showcase on 31st October. The theme seemed to be horror though. So if you are a fan of such theme, join them! #imtooscareycattodoso

31 October, 3pm (M18)
		Chamber of Tongue Ripping  Forest of Copper Columns Chamber of Rock Loop  Chamber of Ox Mountain of Knives Yard of Stone Mill Total running time: 62mins

Free tickets can be collected at the National Museum of Singapore (Visitor Services Counter) from 17 October 2015. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and limited to four tickets per person. Any remaining tickets will be given out at the door on the screening day. 

National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road
Singapore 178897, Tel: 6332 3659
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm

Valid identification showing proof of age is required for all screenings.

Movie review - The good Lie - Whay will these lost sudan boys remind you of ?

Just had to write on this amazing and heart wrenching movie that I watched recently on the flight!
My eyes were puffy from the crying when I got off the plane.

The film is a masterpiece. The storyline and scenery, the cast and everything about the film is just wonderful.
It slowly guides you through the emotional state of the characters and gives you time to reflect. 

Here's the summary

Five Sudanese children were orphaned after their village is massacred in the Second Sudanese Civil War. They were then made to go on the arduous and dangerous trek through the plains in order to reach a refugee camp in Ethiopia. 

Along the way one of the boys asked the eldest brother (also known as the chief) to let them rest as they have been walking for many days without rest. A costly mistake as in the morning, he was noticed by their pursuers and his  'chief' took the rap (while keeping the rest of them hidden) and went back with the pursuers. The remaining 4 of them continued their way to the refugee camp. They finally make it there however 1 of them died due to illness. 

They lived many years in the refugee camps (and my heart pained from seeing how many of were hoping and waiting for a new life in America, just like the recent Europe-Sudan-Syria crisis - where they all had one hope which was for a better life in another country - that hope. ... And in this show, the camp seemed well - allowing the character to be able to learn the skills of being an assistant ' doctor' , in having sufficient food, in having friends, but I'm sure not all refugee camp have such amenities and might not even have sufficient food, and the females having to fight off 'predators'  - all the scary scenarios you see written in the newspapers and social media)

Many Years later , these 3 youths were among 3600 selected for resettlement in America, only to have the one girl among them sent to Boston, while the three boys must to make a new life in Kansas City. 

(Yes the bags are the only belongings that have - reminded me of how much we have yet we always say there is not enough. Its all about expectations. But the current generation lament whenever I tell them we have so much already - why do you compare us with the third world when we are already in first world - what I'm saying is to be thankful. It doesn't mean being in first world means you are entitled to more. The foundation of whats important is still the same - employment, food, family etc)

Together, these young men must adjust to an alien culture even as the emotional baggage of their past haunts them. 

(Food wasting scene at the supermarket tugged at my heart and reminded me indeed how wasteful I am in a developed countries where we usually won't touch food beyond expiry date while in the other needy countries, food is food. Peel off the moldy parts and eat the good parts. Even if it has been a trash, as long as its edible its good)

 However, these newcomers, and their new friends like employment counselor Carrie Davis, strive to understand each other in this new home, as they make peace with their histories in a challenge that will change all their lives.

(Reunion with their sister and brother reminded us indeed how family is the foundation of everything. The deepest love of all. )

(Comparison of the life when he returned back to the refugee camp many years later to search for his brother - with that of his peers who till date have not made it out )

(while sourcing for a job, also reminded me that those who need help, probably it isn't to make them fit into the job, but to check out their strengths and love then to match the jobs to it, so they are internally motivated to keep themselves in the job rather than others having to keep an eye on them to make sure they are still in the job)

Now while living in comfort, we are going back in times looking for the basic foundations -to care for others, to show gratitude, kindness - the values which have been lost in the times where we were taught to live for ourselves. And this movie reminded me of how much more we should be thankful for.