Asian Film Archive: UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

The good people at the Asian Film Archive (Bee Thiam & Tee Pao) are doing a important job of preserving our film heritage. Together with UNESCO, they are launching a series of online video advertisements to raise awareness on the importance of film preservation. Below is their call to battle :

 

As part of its education and outreach efforts, the Asian Film Archive is, for the first time, launching an online campaign to generate greater awareness of the importance and urgency of saving Asia’s film heritage. In line with UNESCO’s message on World Day for Audiovisual Heritage to save a fading heritage, the Archive anticipates that this series of videos will reach out to the public as well as film communities with the vital message on the need to properly and adequately preserve their filmic works.

In Asia’s tropical climate and environment, films in both print and digital video formats can disintegrate rapidly when not kept properly. Even films in the digital format are not spared given that the longevity of the digital format is still under scrutiny. Through these videos, the Archive hopes to generate the realisation in filmmakers on how urgent it is to archive their works early as they become aware of the fragility of their creative works physical shelf life when stored improperly.

Released on YouTube, these part informational and part tongue-in-cheek videos will be released online periodically. Two videos have already been uploaded onto the Archive’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/AsianFilmArchive), as well as on its Facebook group.

In conjunction with the online campaign, the Archive also held an In Conversation With Filmmakers session on 22 October 2009 at The Arts House, in which filmmakers and film producers engaged in discussion with the Archive on the issues of film preservation. The pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088625@N06/show/ and blogpost:http://www.asianfilmarchive.org/Blog/.

 

Asian Film Archive

The Asian Film Archive is a non-governmental organisation founded to preserve the rich film heritage of Asian Cinema, to encourage scholarly research on film, and to promote a wider critical appreciation of this art form. As an important nexus, it brings together the various segments of the Asian film community in order to open and enrich new intellectual, educational and creative spaces.

For more information, please contact:

Asian Film Archive

Tan Bee Thiam

Executive Director

T: (65) 6777 3243

F: (65) 6543 1643

E: info@asianfilmarchive.org

Web: www.asianfilmarchive.org

情人的眼淚

Before there was Stephanie Sun (孙燕姿), there was already a singer from Singapore that was a household name in the chinese music scene. She is 潘秀瓊.

Some may not remember her, but you will definitely know this classic song sang by her, written by the ever talented 姚敏. She is known as the 低音歌后 back in her time.

潘秀瓊老師also has written her biography recently called <勿忘我-潘秀瓊>.

Quite a good read, highly recommended. The book follows her music journey, really engaging. It is available at Kinokuniya, but I think there are limited copies.

領悟

This song never fails to get to me.

辛曉琪唱

李宗盛作品

Here’s the 清唱 version which I like better.

This version is sang by 李宗盛, the song’s writer & composer. He wrote the song for his girlfriend many years ago. A different feel from a woman singing the song, but just as heart breaking.

永遠的草莓園

There is a comic strip that recently had started to be published on every sunday on the chinese ZaoBao Weekend (早報周刊) in Singapore. It is called 永遠的草莓園 by an artist called 會勝.

I really like the style of the strip, it is really simple and minimalistic. It talks about nothing, but at the same time, you feel that it is also talking about really everthing. Really amazing! I find that it is quite fantastic that a major newspaper will publish such a strip! If anyone knows who 會勝 is, please drop me an email. Would really like to meet the artist

Here a great sample of the strip:

“失去愛” (Love Lost) reviewed at Malaysian blog TonTonFilem

Malaysian film critic & writer Fadli Al-Akiti reviews “失去愛” (Love Lost) on his blog TonTonFilem.

You can check out the review here: TonTonFilem

The review is in Malay, so if anyone knows how to translate, please help me! haha

The Days Are Long And Filled With Pain

Seems that this year is not a good year for filmmaking circle in South East Asia. Heard another bad news recently about philippine film critic Alexis Tioseco and his girlfriend Nika Bohinc who both passed away because of a senseless robbery shooting in their house. The killers are still at large.

The powers that be are so cruel……When will we draw our last breath?

For those that are no longer with us.

done

The Days Are Long And Filled With Pain

“失去愛” (Love Lost) screened “In-Competition” at the 13th Thai Short Film & Video Festival 2009

After my TVC job in Bangkok, I stayed for another 4days for the 13th Thai Short Film & Video Festival! “失去愛” (Love Lost) was screened “In-Competition” for the International Competition!

I haven’t been in Bangkok for about 8years, I think! The changes are quite a lot, with the Metro & BTS. But the creative energy is still there!

The festival is being held in the newly opened Bangkok Arts & Cultural Center which is just opposite MBK, right smack in the city center shopping district. Didn’t get to shop much, but went DVD hunting instead. Hard to get Thai films by some of my favourite Thai directors like Pen-ek, Wisit, Aditya or Apitchatpong. But managed to get a copy of “Tropical Malady” – Hurray! I guess the situation is the same everywhere in South East Asia.

Here are some pics from my adventures!

The screening venue: Bangkok Arts & Cultural Center.

The screening hall on the 5th level.

A life size cut-out from the poster. I really like this one!

The view of Bangkok city from the screening hall.

The screening of my film!

Day, Sunset & Night along the Chao Praya River. Took a slow and unhurried ferry ride down the Chao Praya River. Really enjoyed it!

A school girl on a ferry on the Chao Praya River.

The end of the ferry ride is at the suburb town of Thonaburi.

Market at Thonaburi.

The Awards Ceremony!

The festival coordinator – Sanchai Chotirosseranee. He programmmed the Queer Section of the festival which I thought was really good. It touches quite a lot of aspects of the gay & lesbian issues, like a Docu on having children in Spain for gay & lesbian couples. There is even a very good gay thai comedy called “Hungry or Full”!

Lighting of the Giant Candle for the Awards Ceremony.

The youngest winner!

All the winners!

done

Breakdancing in Bangkok near the skybridge next to the Bangkok Arts & Cultural Center!

“AVON-Forget Your Age” Spot in Bangkok, Thailand Aug 2009

Had to cut short my visit to Hong Kong because of a TV commercial job in Bangkok, Thailand. It is for a skin care and cosmetic brand called AVON, which is quite big in China & Taiwan. I had earlier worked as 1st AD for the same production for an earlier shoot in Taipei in July 09. The shoot in Bangkok was for 3 days and my role is smaller this time, as Continuity/Script Supervisor.

This is the 1st time I heard of having a Continuity/Script Supervisor for a TVC. This is because they are shooting 2 versions of the TVC, a China version and a Taiwan version. So they need a Continuity/Script Supervisor to ensure all the shots are done and also to communicate in Mandarin for the Main Talents who are from China & Taiwan. In each version, there are a total of a 30sec spot and 3×15sec cut down. There are 3 scenes in the TVC – a Beach scene, a Dinner scene & a Birthday Party scene. The talents for the 3 scenes in each of the versions are the same, except for the Birthday Party scene where the Main Talent for the China & Taiwan versions are different. Confused yet? hahaha…….:)

Here are some pics from the shoot:

Setting up at a beach which is 2hrs drive from Bangkok! Calltime is 4am at the hotel!

DOP Gosta Reilland (on the right with harness) trying out his handheld rig harness. On the left is the 1st AD, Monchai Petchsrisom. He was the 1st AD for this very famous VISA Card TVC with the Tuk Tuk driver and Pierce Brosnan & Zhang ZiYi.

Setting up a Beach shot. In the background is the Beach Scene Main Talent, 杨钫涵 (Yang Fang Han) from China.

The Director, Agency & people from Shanghai Job (the main production house) crowding around the monitor. From L~R: Janene Fitzgerald (in white with hand to face – Producer from Shanghai Job), Thomas Wommelsdorf ( in black with cap – German Director), Ken Ng (in grey with hat -  Producer from Shanghai Job), Colin Lai (in white with hands on waist – Executive Producer & Partner of Shanghai Job) & Kenny Chu (sitting in chair – Executive Creative Director of the agency SOHO Square).

A Green Screen shot. The Thai crew was SUPER FAST! Had the screen up in under 5mins!

On the platform for a timelapse shot of some letters on the beach being washed away by the rising tide.

The Director, Thomas Wommelsdorf giving instructions to the Thai Art Department for the letters on the beach.

The on-set studio that the lighting crew set up. Very Pro!

Setting up a beauty shot in the on-set studio with 杨钫涵 (Yang Fang Han).

In a Bar location – Long Table Restaurant. This location cost 1million Baht for 2 nights – roughly SGD$42,200 for 2 nights!

The China Party Scene Main Talent, 郭碧婷 (Guo Biting) from Taiwan, in green, infront of the cake. I worked with her for the AVON spot in Taiwan as well in July 09. She had acted in a Taiwan film in 2007 called  沉睡的青春 (Keeping Watch).

Setting up for the Dinner Scene.

Me & the 1st AD-Monchai

The Dinner Scene Main Talent, 陳若萍 (Chen Ruo Ping) from Taiwan. She was in 台灣霹靂火!

Setup for a entrance shot through the glass doors.

Look at the scaffolding and truss the Thai crew setup just to get reflections on the glass door. They did it vey fast as well, in 30mins! Fantastic!

The setup for water reflection shot. The sandbags are to build up a pool of water & also to prevent the water from escaping.

Lining up for a reflection shot with 陳若萍 (Chen Ruo Ping) from Taiwan.

The Taiwan version Party Scene Main Talent, 陳喬恩 ( Joe Chen Qiao En) in blue.

Myself, Monchai, Leon (Producer from Shanghai Job) and the Thai talents for the Party Scene – Siratcha, Nutprapas & Pichamon. Don’t their names sound like from Pokemon!

Happenings at 5th InDPanda 2009, Hong Kong

Had a wonderful time and screening in Hong Kong for the 5th InDPanda 2009! Many thanks to festival directors, Jonathan Hung & Henry Chan, for inviting my film “失去愛” (Love Lost) and myself for the festival. I had to cut short my stay and fly to Bangkok for a commercial job, which I didn’t wanted to go because I haven’t watch enough films!

Here are some pics from the festival:

Screening Venue: Broadway Cinematheque. They have a great DVD store and Bookstore as well!

The Attic Room where I stayed. It is on the 14th Floor of the same building as the office of the festival. It is like an apartment run by an Arts Group called ACC. There are 3 rooms in the apartment and Jonathan arranged for me to stay in the Attic Room because of the great view. I have to watch my head every time I go down the stairs though, haha.

The great view from my Attic Room. I can see Victoria Harbour!

Jonathan Hung (Left), Myself & Henry Chan (Right) in some SERIOUS discussions….asking for info on some good place to get DVDs!

Day and Night view of Hong Kong from The Peak. They even have a light show on the buildings at 8pm!

Victoria Harbour. View from Kowloon side.

The Walk of Stars

Ann Hui’s handprint!

Myself and…..myself again in the poster for “失去愛” (Love Lost).

The film was categorised as category IIB by the censors.

The Q&A after the screening of my film. As it was the last screening of the day, the Q&A was done very late, past 12am! I was surprised anybody stayed behind at all!

After the screening. From L~R: 李俊宏 (Li Chun Hung – Director from Taiwan), Jonathan Hung, Myself, Mona Long (friend of Chun Hung) & Henry Chan.

Having a cooling time at a dessert store after a screening. On the extreme left is Paolo Bertolin (Programmer from Venice Film Festival) – he was on a stopover in Hong Kong. Third from left is Wilson Yip, Singapore Director of the short film “Madam Chan”.

Me and Mona showing off the finished dessert!

The gang having breakfast. Chun Hung & Mona were going to the airport after this.

Me checking out the butter!

“失去愛” (Love Lost) screening at InDPanda Short Film Festival in Hong Kong

Another good news!

“失去愛” (Love Lost) will be screening at the InDPanda Short Film Festival in Hong Kong. The festival runs from 31 July~19 Aug. My film is under the section “Time to say Goodbye” and will be screening on the 14 Aug (Fri) at 9.45pm. You can check the website at this link for more details: InDPanda