Posts Tagged Movies
The Unseeable
Sydney International Film Festival has become my only outlet to see Thai film in cinema. Last year the only film I saw from the Festival was Syndrome and a Century. It certainly is a homesick therapy. This year I have the same level of excitement to see The Unseeable (เป็นชู้กับผี) but in depth of nostalgia.
It sets in 1930′s, a pregnant rural girl, Nualjan, is in search for her missing husband in Bangkok. She ends up staying in a spooky mansion, owned by a mysterious woman, Ranjual. Then it comes to the series of spine-chilling scenes with strange characters: a man digging a hole, a girl playing hide-and-seek, a hand snatching food in the garden and so on.
This is simply a compilation of short ghost stories like Ju-on or Three. What makes this film different from others is the structure that wraps up all the sub plots in the end which goes back to the beginning. It implies that those frightening events will never end and they will be in suffering over and over again until the truth is reconciled. The circle of life and death and the consciousness of existence, are quite rare in these Asian genre, especially Thai cinema although they are pretty much in the core of Buddhist philosophy.
Moreover the Director, Wisit Sasanatiang, is such a master of nostalgia. His production is full of rich Thai references. He has got the same skills as Quentin Taruntino, the ability to recall, reuse and reinvent dated styles and create them their own. The unique palette which strongly based on Thai (Siamese) roots gives him such the recognition internationally. What he particularly uses in this film is a tribute to the master of Thai illustrations, Hem Vajakorn both in story and visual production.
Just the house in the set is worth all seeing this movie. I am such a sucker for this 1900′s East-West architecture. I even dreamt I lived in one. Now I am not sure I could do so after I have seen this film.
Joy Division Documentary
Posted by 'Pong in Documentary, Movies, Music on 07/02/2008
Another burst of talented flame.
I felt offended when someone gave his opinion that Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart was a crap song. It shaped the rock music in the early 80′s which evolved from the raging Punk Rock. You can still hear its echo in the music today. Although I am a fan of New Order, I hardly know Joy Division apart from their most popular piece of music and the suicide of the lead singer, Ian Curtis. Joy Division Documentary has given me insights about them.
The Director, Grant Gee stylises the film with old clips and photographs creating the right mood for the group. The movie pivots on Ian Curtis, straightforward from forming the band to his death. People involved in the band, in the exception of the band’s families, tell us about their pathway rock stardom. Not so different from other super group, it takes talents, good timing and lucks. The major drawback is Ian’s illness and depression and on one knows how to deal with it.
It seems like Ian is just another troubled artist driven by success to end of his life. However, he is a good example of a mental disorder person is unable to connect to the world. His lyrics shows how has been lost on his own and no matter how deeply his massages strikes the audience, he would not get the sympathy back.
Cinema 16 British
16 doses of shorts from UK masters.
It seems unreal that someone put my favourite filmmakers on the same disc: Ridley Scott, Peter Greenaway, Mike Leigh and even Martin Parr, who are more recognised as a documentary photographer. It is the compilation of early works that gave them the launch pads to their big career. You can find that shorts are likely be more freely creative, sometime more indulgent than feature length films. But that craft of producing a long movie is another complex story. And this proves how these directors still keep the their own story telling style.
The usual themes are about coming of age which is fair enough that artists’ first picks are close to themselves. Anyhow, growing up in the UK is just a tad out of my cultural references. They are just too bleak for my liking. The piece I like the most is Telling Lies by Simon Ellis with its humour and simple graphics. His first feature debut will be released soon. Watch out for this guy.
There are more in this Cinema 16 series: European, American, European (US Edition) and World which is due in early 2008. Can’t wait to see more.
BrightCove VDO
Posted by 'Pong in Movies, Photography on 14/10/2007
Sick of YouTube? Here is Brightcove lets you have more control you shared video over the Internet.
Portfolio 02-04 from ApostrophePong on Vimeo.
This the video I made a while ago is a compilation of my early photography. It started off with point-and-shoot camera then I found a medium that I could express my relationship with the world. Look and see how things change.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Let’s get naked. We are human after all.
With generosity from Dymocks, Stilgherrian and I have a chance to preview the French version of Lady Chatterley’s Lover which is released in Australian cinemas in October. It swept this year 5 César Awards including Best Picture and Best Actress.
A young, intelligent woman, Constance (Marina Hands) gets married with a wealthy, upper-class, half-paralysed man, Clifford Chatterley (Hippolyte Girardot). The unhappy marriage turns her to have an affair with his gamekeeper, Mr Parkin (Jean-Louis Coullo’ch). The original novel by D. H. Lawrence was a taboo itself with sex scenes between an aristocrat lady and a working class man. It was banned in many country including Australia.
There is nothing new with the plot of a married woman having an affair in the world of cinemas. They all have their excuses to cross the line. Ask Fracesca’s The Bridges of Medison County, Ada’s The Piano, Ju Dou and many main characters that has their quests beyond a married life. It is a kind of monogamous culture’s fantasy and a universal theme that writers always explore the relationship of a woman with her world, especially, before the sexual revolution and women’s lib movement.
Watching the relationship growing between Constance and Parkin is such a pleasure. They start off with sexual tension and develop into far beyond what she has with her husband—four-letter word, love. They strip their feelings to each other as well as their cloths each time they meet until they part.
Marina Hands beautifully portray Lady Chatterley as such a complex character. She combines naivety and intelligence in a perfect spot. She shines from when she sees herself naked in a mirror. The first sex encounter with Parkin, those eyes tell it all. The final sex scene she runs naked in the rains into the woods for him to catch her and end with floral decoration on her body.
This low-budget French adaptation is directed by Pascale Ferran. She interprets the story to contemporary stand, not just a standard costume drama, less of social context, more of character in depth.
It was limited released in French cinema as opposed to high-financed movies both local and from Hollywood studios. Three hours seem not too long at all giving that it delivers the sensuality in every minute of it.
Recent Comments