The Asian Film Archive (AFA) is proud to present the world premiere of Fragment, a
commissioned omnibus film celebrating the strength and diversity of South-East Asian
independent cinema. Made up of a collage of ten stories, each story distinctively
embraces the other's subjectivities through the collective sentiments of vulnerability and
fortitude.
The ten filmmakers are Kan Lume (Singapore), Wesley Leon Aroozoo (Singapore), Sherman Ong (Singapore/Malaysia), U-Wei Haji Saari (Malaysia), Tan Chui Mui (Malaysia), Lucky Kuswandi (Indonesia), Phan Dang Di (Vietnam), Kavich Neang (Cambodia), Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit (Thailand) and Lav Diaz (Philippines).
The world premiere of Fragment is in conjunction with AFA’s 10th anniversary celebrations that include the Asian premiere of the newly restored Malay classic, Sultan Mahmood Mangkat di-Julang (1961) from the AFA Cathay-Keris Malay Classics collection, and a panel discussion entitled Asian Panorama: The Fragments of Southeast Asian Cinema that is part of the AFA’s REFRAME series.
Visit Visit www.asianfilmarchive.org/10/fragment for more details.
Or check out the Fragment facebook event page http://bit.ly/afa10fragment
Here is more information about the 10 short films and filmmakers:
Fragment Film: Making Art is F**king Hard
Film Synopsis: Two actors travel to Malaysia to make a film. Instead of seeing them in conventional scenes, we see them in-between takes. They complain and irritate each other, discuss the lack of familial support and experience the difficulties of being on an independent film shoot. There are two characters in the film – a young, enthusiastic actor and an experienced, world-weary actress. Their differences may be the result of chance rather than choice.
Fragment Film: Umbilical
Film Synopsis: With innocent intentions, a pair of unborn twins argue over the decision of leaving their mother’s womb three months early to cheer her up.
The Warm Breeze of Winter (Kabus)
Filmmaker: Sherman Ong, Singapore/MalaysiaFragment Film: The Warm Breeze of Winter (Kabus)
Film Synopsis: Fei visits her mother’s hometown with her ashes, amidst the preparation to celebrate the re-merger between Malaysia and Singapore.
Fragment Film: Satu Nota Satu Fragmen (One Note One Fragment)
Film Synopsis: At 2:30 in the afternoon, a guy wakes up and finds himself all alone in his office. He steps out and realises the entire street is deserted. He returns back to his office and discovers a note left behind for him. The note seems to explain the reason.
Fragment Film: The Beautiful Losers
Film Synopsis: After her singing career fails in Taiwan, Fei decides to move back to Malaysia to open a cafe. She meets up with Pete, an old friend she had not met in 10 years. Pete had just recently closed down his music bar. He brings her to a junkyard to hunt for furniture.
Serpong
Filmmaker: Lucky Kuswandi, IndonesiaFragment Film: Serpong
Film Synopsis: Due to a faulty bathroom at home, toilet trips to the nearby construction site becomes a daily routine for a street food seller. On his way home, he discovers a newly opened mall and decides to move his stall closer to attract more business. He observes the changing environment brought about by the new mall.
Fragment Film: Rain
Film Synopsis: A couple from a local factory dines in the same fancy restaurant as their employer’s son. The boyfriend mentions to his girlfriend about the man’s womanising ways, having slept with all the attractive females in the factory. After their meal, the girlfriend waits for her boyfriend as he takes a dump in the grass fields. Their employer’s son approaches the girlfriend in his convertible Lexus and offers her a ride in his lavish vehicle.
Goodbye Phnom Penh
Filmmaker: Kavich Neang, CambodiaFragment Film: Goodbye Phnom Penh
Film Synopsis: Hidden in a hotel in the capital city of Phnom Penh, a young couple spends their final days together before the girl returns to her home country.
Scene 38
Filmmaker: Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, ThailandFragment Film: Scene 38
Film Synopsis: Scene 38 is a romantic scene.
Fragment Film: Ang araw bago ang wakas… (The day before the end…)
Film Synopsis: In the year 2050, the Philippines braces for the coming of the fiercest storm ever to hit the country. As the wind and waters start to rage, poets are being murdered.
Date: Friday, 30 October 2015
Time: 7 – 10:30 pm
Venue: Green Room, The Projector
Tickets: Available for purchase at theprojector.sg/filmsandevents/fragment/
Date: Saturday, 31 October 2015
Time: 4.30 – 6.30pm
Venue: The Projector
Tickets: Available for purchase at theprojector.sg/filmsandevents/fragment/
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2015
Time: 7 – 10:30pm
Venue: National Museum of Singapore (www.nationalmuseum.sg)
Tickets: Free with registration. More information at www.asianfilmarchive.org/10/sultanmahmood
Date: Saturday, 31 October 2015
Time: 1 – 4pm
Venue: Redrum, The Projector (www.theprojector.sg)
Tickets: Free with registration. More information at www.asianfilmarchive.org/10/fragments-of-sea