This Sinema Showoff had a strange and slightly 'foreign' title, Fortune Cookie but it pulled in a great crowd of 145 people. According to the programme, this features a selection of short films that reflect the history, character, hopes and distinct identity of the Chinese community in Singapore. Wow, am I proud to have triad instincts in me being Chinese!
Nevermind the random pairings, the films were impressive in their own ways.
1. TENTH OF MAY by Ruyi Wong
Meng Juan, a divorced mother imposes a traditional Chinese wedding to the dismay of her daughter who wishes for a modern ceremony. Their conflict on the wedding day results in the revelation of a dark secret and the intense situation is complicated by the arrival of the father of the bride.
Ruyi Wong graduated from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) in Digital Filmmaking. Ruyi is currently an artist in residence (new media) at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with the support of Singapore Nature Society.
2. LIVING IT by David Lee
A young man has to care for his father who has lost a leg in an accident. Having to give up his social life the young man vents his anger on his father. However, through a series of unnatural circumstances, the son is put into his father’s shoes and goes through his father’s amputation, the trauma and, finally, the depression, where he experiences firsthand the feeling of being trapped in a room, unable to get out no matter what. Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2hW-eEnB48
David Lee holds a Diploma in Visual Communication from NAFA and recently graduated with a BFA in Digital Filmmaking from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Art, Design & Media. David is currently working as Research Assistant (Media) at Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University doing documentries and video productions. http://www.livingitfilm.com/
3. SWIMMING POOL (CURATOR’S PICK) by Kat Goh
A traditional Chinese household is sending their only child to study overseas for the first time. The mother is doting, but annonyingly naggy towards the daughter and the “PC addicted” husband to get all things right before going to the airport. Amongst the chaos, the lady’s father, an avid swimming fan, brings with him a sense of calmness that forms the climax of the story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utNLmV3zc0c
Kat Goh is a full-time Producer & Director with Boku Films, working on both local and regional productions. She holds a Electrical and Electronic degree from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). And most recently she was a member of the Pre-Selection Committee for Singapore Short Film Awards 2011.
4. THE REUNION DINNER (CURATOR’S PICK) by Anthony Chen
The evolution of the traditional Reunion Dinner (held on the eve of Chinese New Year where family members come together) is seen through the perspective of a closely-knit family against the backdrop of Singapore’s progress from 60s to the present. Commissioned Specially for River Hongbao 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS4CG3OR_PE
Anthony Chen is a receipient of the highly acclaimed National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award (2009). His sophomore short, AH MA (GRANDMA), was nominated for the Palme d’Or for Short Film at the 60th Cannes Film Festival (2007), and secured a Special Mention, the first time a Singaporean was awarded in Cannes. HAZE, his third short film, was nominated for the Golden Bear for Short Film at Berlin (2008). In between all his short films have travelled to numerous films festivals. Anthony recently completed his Masters at National Film & Television School, London with a scholarship from Media Development Authority (MDA). He also holds a Diploma in Film & Media Studies from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Anthony is married and hopes to pursue a career in the UK while developing projects in Asia.
5. THE GANG (CURATOR’S PICK) by Kelvin Sng
The year is 1974. The police are focused on the extermination of secret societies.
After his father’s murder, 18-year-old Hao Nan is emotionally torn. As he copes with his loss, his desire to seek out the murderer also deepens. Driven by naivety and his shallow understanding of secret societies, Hao Nan’s chance encounter with Ming a member of Red Luck Gang brings an introduction to Hei Ge, leader of THE GANG.
Impressed by ethics and philosophy of the gang, Hao Nan secretly hopes to join it in order to use its influence to avenge his father’s death. However, Hei Ge is reluctant to accept Hao Nan as yet, at least not until he can first prove himself worthy of the gang. As Hao Nan gets closer to Red Luck Gang, the young man soon discovers that beneath the façade lies brutal violence and betrayal that are contrary to the glorious and dignified image of THE GANG. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1stP3742qBI
Kelvin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He trained as a teacher with the National Institute of Education (NIE) and taught for three (3) years. After leaving the teaching profession he went on to do an Advanced Diploma in Film Production (Directing) from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a scholarship from Media Development Authority (MDA).
Kelvin is Managing Director for Kelvin Sng Productions Pte Ltd which also does artiste management and other productions such as music videos and commercials. Apart from that Kelvin is also Programme Director for both Mastereign Media Arts Pte Ltd and Epitomedia Pte Ltd, which run media- related education programmes for primary / secondary and junior colleges in Singapore.
Besides filmmaking, Kelvin also has keen interest in writing poetry. His works are featured in several poetry websites and he has collaborated with Little Bali, Gone Fishing Café and The Substation to organize poetry readings which invited both published and unpublished writers to read their works together.
Kelvin is married with two young boys, aged five and two.
About Sinema Showoff!
A thematic monthly film programme of short local films to entertain the common man and woman. The format has all directors in attendance for a Q&A session with a neutral moderator.
UPDATED at 11:19am
Videos highlights during the Q&A sessions (pardon the grungy look, not our usual camera)
Nevermind the random pairings, the films were impressive in their own ways.
Directors (Kelvin Sng, Anthony Chen, Kat Goh, David Lee and Ruyi Wong) do the 'I am here live at the show' pose
Shame on you Singaporeans, this group of Filipinos learnt about the Sinema Showoff series from facebook and climbed 120 steps up to Sinema Old School to watch the films.
Eh, how come only one guy clapping?
Abbas Akbar (who directed 'Certain Chapters') moderates the session.
The screening was proudly put together by the students of Singapore Polytechnic
Films screened
Meng Juan, a divorced mother imposes a traditional Chinese wedding to the dismay of her daughter who wishes for a modern ceremony. Their conflict on the wedding day results in the revelation of a dark secret and the intense situation is complicated by the arrival of the father of the bride.
Ruyi Wong graduated from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) in Digital Filmmaking. Ruyi is currently an artist in residence (new media) at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with the support of Singapore Nature Society.
2. LIVING IT by David Lee
A young man has to care for his father who has lost a leg in an accident. Having to give up his social life the young man vents his anger on his father. However, through a series of unnatural circumstances, the son is put into his father’s shoes and goes through his father’s amputation, the trauma and, finally, the depression, where he experiences firsthand the feeling of being trapped in a room, unable to get out no matter what. Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2hW-eEnB48
David Lee holds a Diploma in Visual Communication from NAFA and recently graduated with a BFA in Digital Filmmaking from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Art, Design & Media. David is currently working as Research Assistant (Media) at Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University doing documentries and video productions. http://www.livingitfilm.com/
3. SWIMMING POOL (CURATOR’S PICK) by Kat Goh
A traditional Chinese household is sending their only child to study overseas for the first time. The mother is doting, but annonyingly naggy towards the daughter and the “PC addicted” husband to get all things right before going to the airport. Amongst the chaos, the lady’s father, an avid swimming fan, brings with him a sense of calmness that forms the climax of the story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utNLmV3zc0c
Kat Goh is a full-time Producer & Director with Boku Films, working on both local and regional productions. She holds a Electrical and Electronic degree from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). And most recently she was a member of the Pre-Selection Committee for Singapore Short Film Awards 2011.
4. THE REUNION DINNER (CURATOR’S PICK) by Anthony Chen
The evolution of the traditional Reunion Dinner (held on the eve of Chinese New Year where family members come together) is seen through the perspective of a closely-knit family against the backdrop of Singapore’s progress from 60s to the present. Commissioned Specially for River Hongbao 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS4CG3OR_PE
Anthony Chen is a receipient of the highly acclaimed National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award (2009). His sophomore short, AH MA (GRANDMA), was nominated for the Palme d’Or for Short Film at the 60th Cannes Film Festival (2007), and secured a Special Mention, the first time a Singaporean was awarded in Cannes. HAZE, his third short film, was nominated for the Golden Bear for Short Film at Berlin (2008). In between all his short films have travelled to numerous films festivals. Anthony recently completed his Masters at National Film & Television School, London with a scholarship from Media Development Authority (MDA). He also holds a Diploma in Film & Media Studies from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Anthony is married and hopes to pursue a career in the UK while developing projects in Asia.
5. THE GANG (CURATOR’S PICK) by Kelvin Sng
The year is 1974. The police are focused on the extermination of secret societies.
After his father’s murder, 18-year-old Hao Nan is emotionally torn. As he copes with his loss, his desire to seek out the murderer also deepens. Driven by naivety and his shallow understanding of secret societies, Hao Nan’s chance encounter with Ming a member of Red Luck Gang brings an introduction to Hei Ge, leader of THE GANG.
Impressed by ethics and philosophy of the gang, Hao Nan secretly hopes to join it in order to use its influence to avenge his father’s death. However, Hei Ge is reluctant to accept Hao Nan as yet, at least not until he can first prove himself worthy of the gang. As Hao Nan gets closer to Red Luck Gang, the young man soon discovers that beneath the façade lies brutal violence and betrayal that are contrary to the glorious and dignified image of THE GANG. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1stP3742qBI
Kelvin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He trained as a teacher with the National Institute of Education (NIE) and taught for three (3) years. After leaving the teaching profession he went on to do an Advanced Diploma in Film Production (Directing) from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a scholarship from Media Development Authority (MDA).
Kelvin is Managing Director for Kelvin Sng Productions Pte Ltd which also does artiste management and other productions such as music videos and commercials. Apart from that Kelvin is also Programme Director for both Mastereign Media Arts Pte Ltd and Epitomedia Pte Ltd, which run media- related education programmes for primary / secondary and junior colleges in Singapore.
Besides filmmaking, Kelvin also has keen interest in writing poetry. His works are featured in several poetry websites and he has collaborated with Little Bali, Gone Fishing Café and The Substation to organize poetry readings which invited both published and unpublished writers to read their works together.
Kelvin is married with two young boys, aged five and two.
About Sinema Showoff!
A thematic monthly film programme of short local films to entertain the common man and woman. The format has all directors in attendance for a Q&A session with a neutral moderator.
UPDATED at 11:19am
Videos highlights during the Q&A sessions (pardon the grungy look, not our usual camera)