7th Asian Film Symposium
MANY THANKS to all our dear friends and supporters who were with us at this year's AFS! It was a really fulfilling and enriching time, and we thank you for all your great feedback!
Here's just some writeups about the events, do have a read if you can. Pictures coming soon on Facebook!
Once again, we hope to see you at the next AFS! Look out for it in September 2008 where more exciting Asian Films will be featured.
Cheerios,
The Substation Moving Images Team
Presented by The Substation Moving Images
For phone enquiries call The Substation on 6337 7535
[Please note: Films ratings TBC & program is subject to change]
The 7th Asian Film Symposium is a highly regarded programme that aims to deepen the dialogue and networking between local and regional filmmakers. It showcases exceptional independent films curated by guest programmers from neighbouring countries in Asia and facilitates talks and forums to discuss the Asian independent film scene.
A highlight this year is the Singapore premiere and the Opening Film “Love Conquers All”, Malaysian filmmaker Tan Chui Mui’s first feature film. She will be making an appearance and talk about the film that has won several awards including the Golden Digital Award at the 31st Hongkong International Film Festival, the VPRO Tiger Award at the 36th International Film Festival Rotterdam, and New Currents and FIPRESCI Awards at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival.
The 7th Asian Film Symposium will be introducing works by some of the region’s most outstanding and notable independent filmmakers through “S-Express”, a traveling short film programme that will be presented by the respective curators from each country. In addition, part of the screening component is a selection of short films from an Asian perspective by students from the Sydney Film School.
The “Forum on the Asian Film Festival Circuit” aims to address some of the concerns faced by many independent filmmakers in the region when taking their films to various film festivals. The Forum involves regional curators and filmmakers who will enlighten the audience about maximising distribution and give indispensable tips when taking part in festival competitions.
Closing the Symposium is the documentary, “Remember Chek Jawa” by independent Singapore filmmaker Eric Lim, which chronicles the discovery of one of Singapore's rare natural gems and how a group of untrained locals tried to preseve it from total loss. Eric will be present to meet the audience after the screening.
Join us for film screenings, talks, and meet filmmakers! See right column for further details.
6 Sept Thu 7.30pm: Reception, Opening Film and Q&A, The Picturehouse
Special appearances by filmmaker Tan Chui Mui & assistant producer Nikki Tok.
7 Sept Fri 7.30pm: S-Express Singapore and Chinese, The Substation Theatre.
Special appearances by programmer Zhang Wenjie (S-Express Singapore) and filmmakers Chai Yee Wei (Blood Ties), Raihan Halim (Sunat) and Boo Junfeng, (Stranger).
Special appearances by programmer Maggie Lee (S-Express Chinese) and filmmaker Hou Chi-Jan (Shopping Cart Boy).
8 Sept Sat 4pm: Forum on the Asian Film Festival Circuit, The Substation Theatre
8 Sept Sat 7.30pm: S-Express Philippines and Thailand, The Substation Theatre
Special appearances by programmer Alexis Tioseco (S-Express Philippines) and filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone.
Special appearances by programmer Sanchai Chotirosseranee (S-Express Thailand) and filmmakers Chanchana Akjiratikarl and Chayanuch Akjiratikarl (Fat Girl).
9 Sept Sun 4pm: Shorts from Australasia, The Substation Theatre
9 Sept Sun 7.30pm: S-Express Malaysia and Indonesia, The Substation Theatre
Special appearances by programmer Amir Muhammad (S-Express Malaysia) and filmmakers Kubhaer T Jethwani (Westbound), Hadi Koh (Qalam) and Syed Omar (A Day in the Life).
Special appearances by programmer Varadilla (S-Express Indonesia) and filmmaker Hafiz (Alam: Syuhada).
10 Sept Mon 7.30pm: Closing Films, Q&A and Reception, The Picturehouse
Special appearance by filmmaker Eric Lim (Remember Chek Jawa).
Tickets!
Venues: The Substation Theatre and The Picturehouse
Times: 4pm, 7.30pm (see schedule on bottom left of screen and details below)
Tickets: Opening and closing films at $10 from www.thepicturehouse.com.sg, tel 6235 1155
The Substation sessions at $6 and $4 concession from www.gatecrash.com.sg, tel 6222 5595
Free admission for the Forum with registration at movingimages@substation.org
Opening Film :
Love Conquers All
Date: Thursday 6 September
Time: 7.30pm: Private Reception, 8:10pm Screening followed by Q&A
Venue: The Picturehouse (get tickets!)
Love Conquers All / Tan Chui Mui / 90 mins / 2006 / Malaysia / Chinese with English Subtitles / NC16 - Some scenes of intimacy
An innocent, pleasant, and rather passive girl from Penang arrives by bus in Kuala Lumpur, where she has come to live with relatives. A man sees her at a phone booth and sets about trying to win her. The mystery of the man gives Love Conquers All its suspense. Is he just a playboy? Is he a tough guy with a good heart? Or is he a heartless, vicious manipulator? The viewers know no more than the heroine does, and she knows nothing about this man except what he tells her and what she sees. So this excellent film becomes a subtle study in watching and reading behavior, leading viewers to reevaluate stereotypes of predatory men and victimized women. (by Chris Fujiwara)
Short Films :
S-Express Singapore
Date: Friday 7 September
Time & Venue: 7.30pm, The Substation Theatre
(with S-Express Chinese)
*Ratings to be announced - may not be suitable for children
Curated by Zhang Wenjie & Yuni Hadi
1. Blood Ties / Chai Yee Wei / 2007 / 12:20 min / Singapore / Chinese with English subtitles
Qing was the sole witness to her brother’s murder. But when her brother’s murderers turn up dead, things don’t appear to be as simple as they seem. Madam Lee, after having to cope with the recent death of her son, now has to deal with the possibility that her daughter is involved with the deaths of these killers.
2. The Mole / Victric Thng / 2007 / 12 min / Singapore / English
Little Molly Parker fell sick one autumn. Her worried parents quickly summoned the family doctor, Mr Anderson, to attend to her. The first visit from the doctor was such a titillating experience that Molly secretly hopes for his next visit. Her dark desire leads to an unexpected turn in her life. The Mole is a whimisical tale about longing and pining.
3. Remember Me / Benjamin Tan / 2006 / 8:36 min / Singapore / Chinese with English subtitles
If there was one thing in life finally worth living for, is it worth giving up everything else to keep it?
4. Sunat / M. Raihan Halim / 2007 / 10 min / Singapore / Malay and English with Malay and English subtitles Every guy has a definitive moment when they leave boyhood and graduate into the shoes of a man. For one boy, it is through the journey of the “sunat” (circumcision).
5. Stranger / Boo Junfeng & Adrian Tan / 2004 / 4:41 min / Singapore / Chinese with English subtitles
A Chinese boy returns to Little India during Deepavali to reminisce about a time when his close friends celebrated Singapore’s many cultural festivals together. A celebration and reflection on colour; and the contemplation of estrangement in one’s own homeland.
6. Dream A Rainbow / Ming / 2006 / 1 min / Singapore / English
The video was made to promote the website singaporeuniquely.com, a project in which the artist has set out to study the culture and psyche of the ordinary Singaporean. The video highlights some of the shots listed in the project with a twist at its closing.
7. 4 days 3 nights / Ming / 2007 / 1:15 min / Singapore
Intrigued by what people would do to get a car in Singapore, Ming has decided to document Singaporean's obsession for cars at its best. The annual Subaru Impreza Challenge brings out the point about how much cars are valued and sought after here on our little island state.
Short Films :
S-Express Chinese
Date: Friday 7 September
Time & Venue: 7.30pm, The Substation Theatre
(with S-Express Singapore)
*Ratings to be announced - may not be suitable for children
Curated by Maggie Lee
1. Street Survivor / Lin Jing-jie / 2006 / 20 min / Taiwan / Chinese
“Street Survivor” is the result of thorough field research by the Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters (COSWAS). Produced by Left Motion Filmmakers’ Collective, a group with a distinct social and political ideology, the film confronts the government policy to abolish publicly registered prostitutes, and also takes on the existing system of law enforcement in Taiwan. The music is by Lim Giong, one of Taiwan’s most celebrated composers, who whose works include Jia Zhangke’s “Still Life” and Hou Hsiao-hsien’s “Millennium Mambo”.
2. Shopping Cart Boy / Hou Chi-Jan / 2007 / 21 min / Taiwan / Chinese
A post-industrial allegory set on the fringes of an urban jungle filled with mega-marts. A love story between a supermarket employee and a shopping cart.
3. Waterfront Villa Bonita / Lou Yi-an / 2007 / 24 min / Taiwan / Chinese
The title refers to a real estate development that forms the backdrop of the film. The gods seem to have deserted the characters a long time ago, and omnipresent advertisements are their only comfort. After a series of absurd incidents involving a robber, a Christian woman, a security guard and a part-time worker, these ‘ordinary people’ who reside by the river come together and see a ray of light in their desperate lives. Tsai Ming-liang regular Lu Yi-ching plays a significant role.
Forum:
The Asian Film Festival Circuit
Date: Saturday 8 September
Time & Venue: 4 pm, The Substation Theatre
Free admission: please register at movingimages@substation.org
The “Forum on the Asian Film Festival Circuit” aims to address some of the concerns faced by many independent filmmakers in the region when taking their films to various film festivals. The Forum involves regional curators and filmmakers who will enlighten the audience about maximising distribution and give indispensable tips when taking part in festival competitions.
Short Films :
S-Express Philippines 
Date: Saturday 8 September
Time & Venue: 7.30pm, The Substation Theatre
(with S-Express Thailand)
*Ratings to be announced - may not be suitable for children
Curated by Alexis Tioseco
1.Saling Pusa (Tag Along) / Antoinette Jadaone / 2006 / 5:20 / Philippines / no dialogue
A seemingly innocent girl joins three men in an intense game of pusoy, a local card game, and tries to survive the dangerous game that only adults play.
2.
ABCD / Roxlee / 1985 / 6:00 / Philippines / English subtitles
Letters of the alphabet are presented in a twisted fashion using ink blots, ink animation and still pictures in single frame shot. The visuals, from A to Z, depict the style of children’s coloured drawings but the words they spell out are clearly not for the kids.
3.
Chicken Soup 2 / R.A. Rivera / 1998 / 7:50 / Philippines / Filipino with English subtitles
In facing apartment units, two men share parallel stories. One, distraught over the death of John Lennon, contemplates suicide. The other goes into a fit deciding how to part with his three-year- old toothbrush.
4.
A Study for ‘The Skies’ / Raymond Red / 1989 / 12:20 / Philippines / no dialogue
A man attempts to build a flying machine, to soar above the world. A study for a feature film becomes a short film in itself. An early work of the Filipino master of short filmmaking, Raymond Red.
5.
Line Drawing / Poklong Anading / 1998 / 13:00 / Philippines / no dialogue
A video done by drawing lines on the wall until the pencil was worn down, creating a hypnotic visual effect a sense of volume, time, and fluid plenitude out of a basic gestural mark which draws subtle lines connecting performance drawing and other media.
6.
it feels so good to be alive. / Antoinette Jadaone / 2005 / 2:50 / Philippines / no dialogue
An orphan frame. A positive film. A sarcastic title .
Short Films :
S-Express Thailand
Date: Saturday 8 September
Time & Venue: 7.30pm, The Substation Theatre
(with S-Express Philippines)
*Ratings to be announced - may not be suitable for children
Curated by
Chalida Uabumrungjit
1. Fat Girl / Chanchana Akjiratikarl ,Chayanuch Akjiratikarl / 2007 / 11.30 min / Thailand
In the past, fatness had positive meaning, reflecting both beauty and prosperity of people. Today, however, being fat seems to be disgusting and considered inferior in the society. The film, "Fat Girl", a contemporary dance film portrays the life of a fat girl who has only one wish in her life... to wear the white dress.
2. Little Plant at the Old House / Sasikan Suvanasuthi / 2007 / 5 min / Thailand
It is about the dreams of a daughter and her mother that one can still be fulfilled.
3. Always / Sivaroj Kongsakul / 2006 / 17 min / Thailand
A cherished memory of grandparents.
4. All The Chapter Of The Song You Ate Me / Arnont Nongyao / 2006 / 9.40 min / Thailand
Spotlight on :
Shorts from Australasia & The Virgin Wildsides
Date: Sunday 9 September
Time & Venue: 4 pm, The Substation Theatre
*Ratings to be announced - may not be suitable for children
Australasian films curated by Sydney Film School
1. Go Quickly / Michael McLennan / 2006 / 18 min / Australia / English
A Chinese man scoops up his children and whisks them away from the family home. Innocently the kids think they are going on an outing but we suspect otherwise. Is he kidnapping them? Driving further into the countryside this scenario seems likely, until the horrifying reality of the situation becomes all too apparent.
2. Sakura no Onna / Stephen Dunstan / 2006 / 4 min / Australia / English
Painted Lips, Painted Trees, Painted Frames
3.
7:23 / Biran Lien / 2007 / 6 min / Australia / English
Two strangers share a moment on a busy, evening commuter train.
4. BUZZ / Hoon Il Chang / 2006 / Australia / English
In Sydney’s northern suburbs, a fifteen year old Korean international student embraces life unhindered by parental supervision.
5. Birth / Paul Leeming / 2006 / 4 min / Australia / English
How do you define artificial intelligence? What do you do when you are the only witness to the birth of a new era; one that will forever change the way humans come to understand themselves?
6. Hi / Bundit Thuabrat / 2006 / 9 min / Australia / English
A coming of age story. A young Asian cleaner comes to terms with his own desires and has to make a decision whether to pursue his desire for love or keep his lust hidden.
7. The Virgin Wildsides, or How I Produced Cherry Boy Part 1 / Tetsuaki Matsue / 30mins / 2006 / Japanese
According to recent research, one in four Japanese men aged 30 to 34 are still virgins. In Part 1 of this zany documentary, indie director Tetsuaki Matsue goes about helping two virgins confess their wildest fantasies to their girls of their dreams. Bike courier Kenzo Kaga, 23, dismisses AVs (adult videos) as a dirty profession. For years, he’s had a crush on gorgeous model Masami (alias). To help him overcome his “female phobia”, Matsue arranges a rendezvous on the set of an AV shoot…
8. Every Japanese Woman Makes Her Own Curry / Tetsuaki Matsue / 20mins / 2006 / Japanese
The director visits the homes of three female friends, and asks them to cook three different styles of Japanese curry, They kind of talk about themselves, show us the are where they live, and also the diversity of Tokyo life as each are they live has its own character.
Short Films :
S-Express Malaysia
Date: Sunday 9 September
Time & Venue: 7.30pm, The Substation Theatre
(with S-Express Indonesia)
*Ratings to be announced - may not be suitable for children
Curated by Amir Muhammad
1. Pool (Kolam) / Chris Chong Chan Fui / 2007 / 14 min / Malaysia / Indonesian, Acehnese & English
In a village in Aceh, Indonesia, some months after the tsunami, a group of kids gather in a pool. But this is no ordinary pool.
2. Qalam / Hadi Koh / 2007 / 10 min / Malaysia / Malay and English
A monk goes on a path of enlightenment…but does anyone want to listen?
3. Westbound / Kubhaer T. Jethwani / 2007 / 19 min / Malaysia / Malay, English & Mandarin
A man is rushing to KL for an audition. The role requires Mandarin, which he does not speak. But as the night deepens, he discovers he has other, creepier problems to deal with. Featuring Singapore actor Gene Sha Rudyn.
4. A Day In The Life (Sehari Dalam Kehidupan) / Syed Omar / 2007 / 12 min / Malaysia / Malay
A day in the life of a public worker under a special branch.
Short Films :
S-Express Indonesia
Date: Sunday 9 September
Time & Venue: 7.30pm, The Substation Theatre
(with S-Express Malaysia)
*Ratings to be announced - may not be suitable for children
Curated by Minikino
1. Iqra/ Ari Satria Darma / 2005 / 2’13” / Indonesia /
No Dialogue
What if letters forming words and sentences are erased? What if only empty space exists in our daily life?
2. A Very Boring Conversation / Edwin / 2006 / 9’ / Indonesia / Indonesian with English subtitles
The conversation starts from comments about music and internet emails, then slowly moves to unlogical things that could possibly change a 'mother-son relationship' to a 'man-woman relationship'.
3. Wet Trousers / Apriyadi / 2006 / 3’09” / Indonesia / No Dialogue
A soldier dreams of his camp being bombed. He wakes in wet trousers and find something else testing his guts.
4. Alam: Syuhada / Hafiz / 2005 / 9’05” / Indonesia / Indonesian with English subtitles
Alam doesn't have any dreams, except that if he wins 100 million rupiahs from the illegal lottery, he will buy a house, a land, a car and new clothing every week.
5. Bongseng / Patrick Alfredo / 2006 / 4’50” / Indonesia
"Behind the bar, we communicate in silence”. A short film directed and played by actual juvenile prisoners.
6. A Kite / A. Rofiq / 2006 / 4’28” / Indonesia / No Dialogue
Everything that we love will leave us like the soul that will leave our body someday.
7. Kulihat Tamanku / Renas Makki / 2005 / 4’ / Indonesia / Indonesian with English subtitles
In an empty house, a father faces a bitter reality that his newborn baby is dying.
8. (Bukan) Kesempatan Yang Terlewat / Lasja Fauzia / 2006 / 10’ / Indonesia / Indonesian with English subtitles
A woman (Dian Sastro) repeatedly meets a man (Christian Sugiono) in a train, and the two start forming a relationship. They let destiny take control, but will the destiny lend its hand for them?
Closing Films :
Remember Chek Jawa & Osampo
Date: Monday 10 September
Time: 7.30pm: Screening followed by Q&A and a Reception
Venue: The Picturehouse (get tickets!)
1. Osampo (Strolling Along) / Akira Matsuda / 49 mins / 2005 / Japan / Japanese with English subtitles / PG
A young couple in Tokyo strolls along through their neighbourhood, revealing the fears and difficulties young people have committing to serious relationships in the modern world. This vivid film reflects a contemporary Japanese reality - within is a fanciful love story told in a unique and original docudrama style.
2. Remember Chek Jawa / Eric Y W Lim / 47 mins / 2006 / Singapore / English / PG
Chek Jawa, an inter-tidal area encompassing six ecosystems within one square kilometer on Pulau (island) Ubin in Singapore, was discovered by local conservationists only in January 2001. Since the discovery, her amazingly rich marine biodiversity drew thousands of visitors, both young and old, to revel in the beauty of her shores. Unfortunately, in 1992, the Singapore Government approved development plans to carry out land reclamation in 10 years time along the shoreline of Chek Jawa to create 'reserve land' for military training. This film tells the story of how a band of passionate volunteers, who came from all walks of life, followed their hearts and made a difference against the odds to save Chek Jawa.
Visit http://chekjawa.net