Despite being called
the Garden City – are we still called that now? – no one would think about the
greenery that actually surrounds this place we call home. After all,
construction sites are popping up at every corner and uprooting the greens to
make way for more grey, white and new condominiums.
So it was indeed a
pleasant surprise to discover that Aaron Wilson’s Canopy was entirely shot in
Singapore some time back.
The film is about how
war affects an individual’s psyche – the mind-numbing fear, sudden adjustments
to new environments as well as situations and the prospect of death at every
corner one turns.
It follows the journey
of an Australian fighter pilot after he is shot down during World War II and
found himself in the Singapore jungle. Meeting obstacles, potential help (a
local Chinese farm boy) as well as enemies along the way, viewers are invited
to experience Singapore in a very different light.
Personally, I found
the film to be captivating and enchanting despite the difficult as well as
heartbreaking circumstances. The pacing was of a slow burn rather than a
typical action-driven war film, but the tension and constant raising of stakes
as the film went along held the action together.
With no subtitles, the
film goes back to the focus of body language, facial expressions and
relationships to tell the story – transcending culture and language barriers.
Made up of beautifully
shot moments, Canopy is a visual feast for those with a keen eye for beauty as
well as subtle details. There is a great focus on the surroundings and the
composition of nature. Just like the variety of emotions portrayed by the
stellar cast, viewers are able to feel the depth and even the curious textures
of the greenery as the camera pans from all sorts of angles smoothly.
My favourite quality
of this entire film would be the soundscape. Even though the film is mostly
quiet in terms of dialogue, it is rich in bringing out the common sounds that
we do not know how to appreciate or even notice in this day and age: leaves
crunching under foot, hidden birds chirping away, running water and our own
footsteps.
Canopy is a perfect
example of how simplicity is key in making a strong impression in the minds of
viewers. One does not need a lot of special effects and a predictable, sappy
storyline to touch hearts. All it really takes is a good story to tell and a
dedicated team to make magic happen on screen.
Review by Dawn Teo