Wednesday, September 30, 2009

CASTRO IS MY MOST FAVORITE FILM IN BKKIFF

FILMS I SAW TODAY

1.AURORA (2009, Adolfo B. Alix, Jr., Philippines, A+/A)

2.JAMILA AND THE PRESIDENT (2009, Ratna Sarumpaet, Indonesia, B+)

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FILMS I SAW IN BKKIFF 2009

1.CASTRO (2009, Alejo Moguillansky, Argentina, A+++++++++++++++)

ชอบหนังเรื่องนี้เพราะเป็นหนังที่ตัวเองรู้สึกจูนติดกับมันมากที่สุด ตัวละครทุกตัวเหมือนเป็นบ้า และทำอะไรผิดหลักตรรกะตั้งแต่ต้นจนจบเรื่อง สาเหตุหลักๆที่ทำให้ชอบหนังเรื่องนี้มีอยู่สองอย่าง อย่างแรกก็คือชอบความขี้เล่นของมัน ตัวละครในหนังวิ่งเถิดเทิงไล่จับกันอย่างแทบไม่มีสาเหตุตั้งแต่ต้นจนจบ เราดูแล้วก็เลยนึกถึงความสุขที่ได้รับในวัยเด็กตอนที่เราวิ่งเล่นไล่จับกับเพื่อนๆพร้อมกับคิดเกมสมมุติอะไรต่างๆขึ้นมาเล่นกันเอง คือพฤติกรรมวิกลจริตของตัวละครในหนังเรื่องนี้มันเหมือนกับอยู่ในเกมสมมุติที่เราเคยเล่นหรืออยากเล่นในวัยเด็กน่ะ ส่วนสาเหตุที่สองที่ทำให้ชอบหนังเรื่องนี้ก็คือว่า มันทำให้เราตั้งคำถามกับตัวเองว่า เราต้องการหางาน, หาเงิน, หาคนรักเก่า, หาคนรักใหม่, หาที่พักใหม่ หรือกระเสือกกระสนมีชีวิตอยู่ต่อไปเพื่ออะไร บางทีการที่เราพยายามจะมีชีวิตอยู่ต่อไป หรือทำสิ่งต่างๆเพื่อให้ได้มาซึ่งปัจจัยสี่เพื่อที่จะได้มีชีวิตอยู่ต่อไป อาจจะเป็นสิ่งที่ไร้สาระทั้งเพเหมือนตัวละครในหนังเรื่องนี้ก็เป็นได้

2.IMBURNAL (2008, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Philippines, A++++++++++)

3.REDEMPTION (2009, Sabrina Wulff, documentary, Germany, A++++++++++)

4.THE SEARCH (2009, Pema Tseden, China, A++++++++++)

5.JERICHOW (2008, Christian Petzold, Germany, A++++++++++)

6.DOUBLE TAKE (2009, Johan Grimonprez, Belgium, A+++++)

7.THE TIME THAT REMAINS (2009, Elia Suleiman, Palestine, A+++++)

8.EVERYONE ELSE (2009, Maren Ade, Germany, A+)

9.NE CHANGE RIEN (2009, Pedro Costa, Portugal, A+)

10.BUTTERFLIES HAVE NO MEMORIES (2009, Lav Diaz, Philippines, A+)

11.DOGTOOTH (2009, Yorgos Lanthimos, Greece, A+)

12.35 SHOTS OF RUM (2009, Claire Denis, France, A+)

13.INDEPENDENCIA (2009, Raya Martin, Philippines, A+)

14.CHOCOLATE (2009, Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysia, A+)

15.FIXER: THE TAKING OF AJMAL NAQSHBANDI (2008, Ian Olds, USA, documentary, A+)

16.INLAND (2008, Tariq Teguia, Algeria, A+)

17.SEPET (2004, Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysia, A+)

18.KOMA (2009, Naomi Kawase, Japan, A+)

19.LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS (2009, Hong Sangsoo, South Korea, A+)

20.ADRIFT (2009, Thac Chuyen Bui, Vietnam, A+/A)

21.AURORA (2009, Adolfo B. Alix, Jr., Philippines, A+/A)

22.THE QUEEN AND I (2008, Nahid Persson Sarvestani, Sweden, documentary, A+/A)

23.THE STRENGTH OF WATER (2009, Armagan Ballantyne, New Zealand, A)

24.MANILA (2009, Raya Martin + Adolfo Alix Jr., Philippines, A)

25.ALTIPLANO (2009, Peter Brosens + Jessica Woodworth, Belgium, A-/B+)

26.JAMILA AND THE PRESIDENT (2009, Ratna Sarumpaet, Indonesia, B+)

IMBURNAL (Sherad Anthony Sanchez, A++++++++++)

FILMS SEEN YESTERDAY

1.IMBURNAL (2008, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Philippines, A++++++++++)

2.DOGTOOTH (2009, Yorgos Lanthimos, Greece, A+)
This is what I think about DOGTOOTH after I read Filmsick's blog:
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090929/bkiff-2009-diary-part-2

There are some parts of DOGTOOTH (A+) which remind me of Luis Bunuel's films, but I think Bunuel's films arouse the viewers' imagination much more than DOGTOOTH. DOGTOOTH seems to have a purpose, and it aims straightly at that purpose, while Bunuel's films seem to be more than "films with messages". That's why I like DOGTOOTH very much, but I prefer some Bunuel's films to it.

I think some Haneke's films are also "films with messages", too, but I think I prefer THE SEVENTH CONTINENT to DOGTOOTH. But my reason is because the desperate feelings in THE SEVENTH CONTINENT have much more effect on me than the black comedic feelings in DOGTOOTH. However, one thing I like very much in DOGTOOTH is the fact that it does not make me think only about the bourgeoisie, but also ultra-conservative people, including some religious fanatics.


3.INLAND (2008, Tariq Teguia, Algeria, A+)


--There are some films in the festival which have gorgeous cinematography and present social problems at the same time. In this group of films, I think ALTIPLANO (A-/B+) is the one I like the least. The cinematography in ALTIPLANO is tremendously beautiful, but it is too dreamlike, too "plastic" to make me feel the pain of the characters.

INLAND presents the appropriate kind of "beautiful cinematography" for me. The scenery in INLAND is very beautiful, and it is not too plastic. When I look at it, I can feel the wind blow, the heat of the sun, the dryness of the air, the shadow from the clouds. But the story of INLAND doesn't touch me that much.

The cinematography in REDEMPTION is what I worship. It presents the views of some towns and some places, such as a school. There are almost no people in these scenes. This kind of scenes is the thing that can arouse my imagination and has a profound effect on my feelings. In some documentaries, the directors, such as Michael Moore, may focus on "giving the information to the viewers", which is not a bad thing, but the viewers will only get some useful information from the documentaries. As for my personal taste, I find that I worship documentaries which do not only focus on "giving the information." Some documentaries have scenes which don't give straightforward information, but have some unexplainable effects on my feelings. These documentaries include:

1. REDEMPTION

2.FROM THE EAST (1993, Chantal Akerman)

3.MODERN LIFE (2008, Raymond Depardon), which includes some empty road scenes

4.THE PINOCHET AFFAIR (2001, Patricio Guzman, Chile/France), which includes a stone-falling scene

Some documentaries don't give straightforward information, but they also don't touch my feelings in the same way as the documentaries above. This kind of documentaries includes OUR DAILY BREAD (A+).

IMBURNAL has gorgeous cinematography, and the director can find the appropriate balance between the "beautiful cinematography", or the soul of the landscape, and the soul of the characters. Some scenes in this film make me think about some Thai short films, because these scenes are very beautifully shot, slow-moving, and focusing on the life of rural people, but IMBURNAL feels more natural than a few Thai short films I have seen.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

FIVE FILMS I WORSHIP IN BKKIFF

FILMS I WORSHIP IN BKKIFF: CASTRO (Alejo Moguillansky), REDEMPTION (Sabrina Wulff), THE SEARCH (Pema Tseden), JERICHOW (Christian Petzold), DOUBLE TAKE (Johan Grimonprez)

CASTRO is one of the funniest films I have ever seen. REDEMPTION makes me think about my own life. I feel very particularly interested in a former soldier who was beaten up by his stepfathers, neglected by his mother, and betrayed by his own father. Many scenes in this film possess a great power to inspire my imagination. THE SEARCH is very romantic and touching. JERICHOW reminds me that you can't judge people too easily. DOUBLE TAKE is extremely thought-provoking.

SOME GREAT FILMS ARE FAR FROM MY REAL LIFE

FILMS SEEN YESTERDAY

1.NE CHANGE RIEN (2009, Pedro Costa, Portugal, A+)

2.EVERYONE ELSE (2009, Maren Ade, Germany, A+)

3.35 SHOTS OF RUM (2009, Claire Denis, France, A+)

4.MANILA (2009, Raya Martin + Adolfo Alix Jr., Philippines, A)


--I think EVERYONE ELSE and 35 SHOTS OF RUM are great films, but it seems difficult for me to connect these films with my real life. I think it is much easier for me to connect my real life with parts of the lives (or emotions) of the interviewees in REDEMPTION (2009, Sabrina Wulff, A++++++++++).

Monday, September 28, 2009

REDEMPTION (Sabrina Wulff, A++++++++++)

FILMS SEEN YESTERDAY

1.REDEMPTION (2009, Sabrina Wulff, documentary, Germany, A++++++++++)

I think this film may be a perfect antidote to THE READER (2008, Stephen Daldry, B+ ), because THE READER is about a character who chose to follow the evil orders, while REDEMPTION is about real people who choose not to follow the evil orders, even if it means destroying their own lives.

One thing I like very much in REDEMPTION is the story about a friend of the interviewee. This friend, who was a US soldier, chose to commit suicide instead of participating in the war in Iraq.

REDEMPTION is a graduation film.


2.THE SEARCH (2009, Pema Tseden, China, A+++++)

3.BUTTERFLIES HAVE NO MEMORIES (2009, Lav Diaz, Philippines, A+)

4.INDEPENDENCIA (2009, Raya Martin, Philippines, A+)

5.KOMA (2009, Naomi Kawase, Japan, A+)

6.LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS (2009, Hong Sangsoo, South Korea, A+)

7.CHOCOLATE (2009, Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysia, A+)

8.SEPET (2004, Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysia, A+)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

DOUBLE TAKE (Johan Grimonprez, A+++++)

FILMS SEEN YESTERDAY

1.DOUBLE TAKE (2009, Johan Grimonprez, Belgium, A+++++)

2.THE TIME THAT REMAINS (2009, Elia Suleiman, Palestine, A+++++)
I like the soundtrack of this film very much
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsQkPxon4j8

3.ADRIFT (2009, Thac Chuyen Bui, Vietnam, A+/A)

4.THE STRENGTH OF WATER (2009, Armagan Ballantyne, New Zealand, A)

5.ALTIPLANO (2009, Peter Brosens + Jessica Woodworth, Belgium, A-/B+)

Saturday, September 26, 2009

THE QUEEN AND I, IMELDA, AND THE ETHICS OF DOCUMENTARIANS

This is my comment in Filmsick's blog:
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090926/bkiff-2009-diary

เรารู้สึกว่าหนังเรื่อง THE QUEEN AND I ยังไม่ทรงพลังถึงที่สุดเหมือนกันนะ แต่ก็เข้าใจผู้กำกับน่ะแหละ ว่าถ้าหากผู้กำกับต้องการทำหนังที่แสดงความเห็นของตัวเองอย่างเต็มที่ ผู้กำกับก็คงไม่ได้รับอนุญาตให้ถ่ายทำต่อ บางจุดในหนังเรื่องนี้ทำให้นึกถึงหนังสารคดีเรื่อง IMELDA (A) เหมือนกัน เพราะบางคนก็อาจจะบอกว่าหนังเรื่อง IMELDA ไม่ได้นำเสนอความชั่วร้ายของอิเมลดาอย่างเต็มที่ แต่เราคิดว่ามันก็คงเป็นไปไม่ได้อยู่แล้วล่ะ ที่หนังสารคดีเรื่องใดเรื่องหนึ่งจะนำเสนอทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างได้หมด ถ้าหากผู้กำกับสารคดีคิดจะสัมภาษณ์ใคร ผู้กำกับก็คงไม่สามารถที่จะแสดงความเกลียดชังหรือดูถูกดูแคลน,ดูหมิ่นเหยียดหยามผู้ให้สัมภาษณ์ได้อย่างเต็มที่ ในแง่หนึ่ง เราว่า THE QUEEN AND I กับ IMELDA ตั้งคำถามเกี่ยวกับจรรยาบรรณของผู้กำกับหนังสารคดีได้ดีเหมือนกัน ว่าเราควรจะทำตัวอย่างไรเมื่อเราอยากจะสัมภาษณ์คนที่เราเกลียดชัง เราควรจะสัมภาษณ์เขาหรือไม่ และเราควรจะตีแผ่ความชั่วของคนๆนั้นในหนังของเราหรือไม่ถ้าหากเราจะขอสัมภาษณ์เขา

Friday, September 25, 2009

CASTRO (2009, Alejo Moguillansky, A++++++++++)

FILMS SEEN TODAY

1.CASTRO (2009, Alejo Moguillansky, Argentina, A+++++++++++++++)
http://micropsia.blogspot.com/2009/04/castro-de-alejo-moguillansky-variety.html
It's Jacques Rivette on amphetamine.


2.JERICHOW (2008, Christian Petzold, Germany, A++++++++++)
I assumed at first that the film might want to attack capitalism. But in the end, what impresses me the most is the humanism in this film.

Girish Shambu wrote about this film here:
http://artforum.com/film/id=21100


3.FIXER: THE TAKING OF AJMAL NAQSHBANDI (2008, Ian Olds, USA, documentary, A+)

4.THE QUEEN AND I (2008, Nahid Persson Sarvestani, Sweden, documentary, A+/A)

HOLY SNAKES

I think it's interesting that holy snakes are presented in many films, especially Cambodian films and some films in the Philippines and Thailand, such as

1.DARNA (1951, Fernando Poe, Philippines)
In this film, the villainess Valentina has snake hair, like Medusa.

(This is a photo of Darna and Valentina from another work, not from the film above.)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3951771021_9d1eb9ea9f_o.jpg

A clip from a TV series presenting Darna and Valentina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0gtJ50iXs0


2.SNAKE SISTERS (1984, Celso Ad. Castillo, Philippines)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2007/10/snake-sisters-1984.html

3.GHOST SNAKE (1966, Rut Sethapakdee, Thailand)
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090915/entry

4.MOTHER OF SNAKES (1972, Sanun Jarussilp, Thailand)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3951771025_1d614be238_o.jpg

5.THE GODDESS OF GHOST SNAKE (1984, Suriyon Duangthongdee, Thailand)
http://www.rharnhoo.com/productsDetail.php?id=80
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3951771027_9ceff29885_o.jpg

(Parts of the information are from the book THE LEGEND OF THAI GHOST FILMS.)










AMERICAN DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE

(Thanks to Merveillesxx who told me about this)

American Documentary Showcase

10 – 13 November 2009

At TK park, 8th Fl., Central World

TK park and the Embassy of the United States of America invite you to the American Documentary Showcase.


Apart from screening of multiple awards-winning documentary (including Best Documentary United Nations Association Film Festival, Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2008 and International Jury Prize Mumbai International Film Festival 2008), Flow: For Love of Water, which is an investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century: The world water crisis. There will be a film workshop on making documentary film with special guests, Steven Starr, the producer of "Flow" and Billy Luther, the director of "Miss Navaho" at TK park on Tuesday 10 November at 16.00 – 18.00 hrs.


All screenings are in English with Thai subtitles.

Reservation please call 02 257 4300 x 120 (free admission for TK park members, for non-members there will be a 20 THB fee for One-Day Pass)

For more information about the films please go to:
http://ufva.org/content.php?type_id=10&article_id=267


American Documentary Showcase
Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 Nov 2009
Mini Theater 1, TK park, 8th Fl., CentralWorld


Tuesday 10 November 2009
16.00 – 18.00 Film Workshop with Steven Starr, the producer of "Flow" and Billy Luther, the director of "Miss Navaho" at Mini Theater 1
18.00 – 19.30 Reception at Open Square
19.30 – 21.00 Screening of "Flow: For Love of Water" (84 Mins) at Mini Theater 1 - 2

Wednesday 11 November 2009
16.00 – 16.30 Screening of "Beginning Filmmaking" (23 Mins)
16.30 – 17.30 Screening of "America’s Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prarie" (58 Mins)
17.30 – 19.00 Screening of "The Garden" (80 Mins)

Thursday 12 November 2009
16.00 – 17.15 Screening of "Made in LA" (70 Mins)
17.15 – 18.45 Screening of "A Man Named Pearl" (78 Mins)
18.45 – 19.45 Screening of "Red Gold" (55 Mins)

Friday 13 November 2009
16.00 – 16.45 Screening of "Children in No Man’s Land" (39 Mins)
16.45 – 18.30 Screening of "The Betrayal" (97 Mins)
18.30 – 19.30 Screening of "Miss Navaho" (60 Mins)




1. "BEGINNING FILMMAKING" (SHORT)
DIRECTOR: JAY ROSENBLATT
RUNNING TIME: 23 MIN., YEAR: 2008

SYNOPSIS: A PORTRAIT OF A VERY YOUNG ARTIST AND AN ENTHUSIASTIC FATHER WHO DISCOVERS TRUTH IN THE CLICH "CREATIVE DIFFERENCES" WHEN HE ATTEMPTS TO TEACH HIS 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER ABOUT FILMMAKING. ELLA LEARNS WHAT SHE WANTS TO, DISCARDS WHAT SHE DOESN'T, AND IS DETERMINED TO BE A STAR IN HER OWN MIND.

-- DIRECTOR ROSENBLATT: A FORMER A FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION INSTRUCTOR AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND ELSEWHERE, HIS FILMS HAVE WON OVER ONE HUNDRED AWARDS AND HAVE BEEN SCREENED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

2. "THE BETRAYAL"
DIRECTOR: ELLEN KURAS AND THAVISOUK PHRASAVATH
RUNNING TIME: 97 MIN., YEAR: 2008

SYNOPSIS: FILMED OVER 23 YEARS, TELLS THE STORY OF A FAMILY'S EPIC JOURNEY FROM WAR-TORN LAOS TO THE MEAN STREETS OF NEW YORK. THAVISOUK PHRASAVETH TELLS HIS OWN STORY OF STRUGGLING AS A YOUNG MAN TO SURVIVE BOTH THE WAR AND THE HARDSHIPS OF IMMIGRANT LIFE, AS WELL AS HIS MOTHER'S ASTONISHING TALE OF PERSEVERANCE.

-- DIRECTOR KURAS: AWARD-WINNING CINEMATOGRAPHER AND THREE-TIME WINNER AT SUNDANCE, THIS IS HER DIRECTING DEBUT. LAOTIAN CO-DIRECTOR PHRASAVATH IS ALSO THE MAIN SUBJECT OF THE FILM.

3. "CHILDREN IN NO MAN'S LAND" (SHORT)
DIRECTOR: ANAYANSI PRADO
RUNNING TIME: 39 MIN., YEAR: 2008

SYNOPSIS: FOLLOWS THE PLIGHT OF UNACCOMPANIED MINORS WHO TRAVEL INTO THE UNITED STATES. TWO YOUNG COUSINS ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE US/MEXICO BORDER ALONE TO REUNITE WITH THEIR MOTHERS IN THE MIDWEST.

-- DIRECTOR PRADO: LATINA MAGAZINE NAMED HER ONE OF THREE UP-AND-COMING LATINA FILMMAKERS IN THE UNITED STATES. SHE IS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF A NEW DISCOVERY SERIES ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN THE U.S.

4. "THE GARDEN"
DIRECTOR: SCOTT HAMILTON KENNEDY
RUNNING TIME: 80 MIN., YEAR: 2008, WON GRAND JURY AWARD AT SILVERDOCS DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

SYNOPSIS: FOLLOWS THE PLIGHT OF MOSTLY IMMIGRANT FARMERS FROM THE TILLED SOIL OF THE UNITED STATES' LARGEST URBAN FARM TO LOS ANGELES CITY HALL, TELLING THE STORY OF BACK ROOM DEALS, LAND DEVELOPERS, GREEN POLITICS, POVERTY, POWER AND RACIAL DISCORD AS THE FARMERS ORGANIZE AND SPEAK OUT WHILE BULLDOZERS ARE POISED TO LEVEL THEIR 14-ACRE OASIS.

-- DIRECTOR KENNEDY: HIS DEBUT DOCUMENTARY, "OT: OUR TOWN" WON AWARDS AT TOP FILM FESTIVALS AND WAS NOMINATED FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY BY THE IFP INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS.

5. "MISS NAVAJO"
DIRECTOR: BILLY LUTHER
RUNNING TIME: 60 MIN., YEAR: 2007

SYNOPSIS: REVEALS THE INNER BEAUTY OF THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO COMPETE IN THIS CELEBRATION OF WOMANHOOD. NOT ONLY MUST CONTESTANTS EXHIBIT POISE AND GRACE AS THOSE IN TYPICAL PAGEANTS, THEY MUST ALSO ANSWER TOUGH QUESTIONS IN NAVAJO
AND DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN SKILLS ESSENTIAL TO DAILY TRIBAL LIFE: FRY-BREAD MAKING, RUG WEAVING AND SHEEP BUTCHERING.

-- DIRECTOR LUTHER: A NATIVE AMERICAN WHO IS NAVAJO, HOPI, AND LAGUNA, LUTHER CONCEIVED THE FILM AS A CELEBRATION OF WOMANHOOD AND A TRIBUTE TO HIS MOTHER, SARAH JOHNSON LUTHER, WHO WAS MISS NAVAJO NATION 1966-67.

6. "MADE IN LA"
DIRECTOR: ALMUDENA CARRACEDO
RUNNING TIME: 70 MIN., YEAR: 2007

SYNOPSIS: FOLLOWS THE REMARKABLE STORY OF LATINA IMMIGRANTS WORKING IN LOS ANGELES GARMENT SWEATSHOPS AS THEY EMBARK ON A THREE-YEAR ODYSSEY TO WIN BASIC LABOR PROTECTIONS FROM TRENDY CLOTHING RETAILER 'FOREVER 21.'

-- DIRECTOR CARRACEDO: NOW A U.S. CITIZEN, WORKED AS A TELEVISION DIRECTOR IN SPAIN BEFORE COMING TO THE U.S. AS AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR TO WORK ON HER DOCTORAL DISSERTATION AT UCLA FILM SCHOOL.


7. "AMERICA'S LOST LANDSCAPE: THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE"
DIRECTOR: DAVID O'SHIELDS
RUNNING TIME: 58 MIN., YEAR: 2005, WINNER OF THE IDA PARE
LORENTZ AWARD

SYNOPSIS: TELLS THE STORY OF HOW AND WHY THE PRAIRIE WAS CHANGED BY EURO-AMERICAN SETTLEMENT. THE FILM HIGHLIGHTS PRAIRIE PRESERVATION EFFORTS AND EXPLORES HOW THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM MAY SERVE AS A MODEL FOR A
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE OF THE FUTURE.

-- DIRECTOR O'SHIELDS: WAS ALSO THE FILM'S WRITER, PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY. HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AS A CAMERAMAN AND DIRECTOR IN COMMERCIAL TELEVISION. FOUNDED NEW LIGHT MEDIA TO FOCUS ON FILMS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, DEMOCRACY, RACE AND AMERICAN HISTORY.

8. "FLOW: FOR LOVE OF WATER"
DIRECTOR:IRENA SALINA, PRODUCER: STEVE STARR
RUNNING TIME: 84 MIN., YEAR: 2008, NOMINATED FOR GRAND
JURY PRIZE AT SUNDANCE, WON BEST DOCUMENTARY AT VAIL FILM FESTIVAL

SYNOPSIS: AN INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT EXPERTS LABEL THE MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE OF THE 21ST CENTURY--THE WORLD WATER CRISIS--THAT BUILDS A CASE AGAINST THE GROWING PRIVATIZATION OF THE WORLD'S DWINDLING
FRESH WATER SUPPLY WITH A FOCUS ON POLITICS, POLLUTION, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE EMERGENCE OF A DOMINEERING WORLD WATER CARTEL. INCLUDES A LOOK AT PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO THE WATER CRISIS AND THOSE DEVELOPING NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL AND ECONOMIC TURNAROUND.

-- PRODUCER STARR: FOUNDED THE ONLINE VIDEO-SHARING MEDIA NETWORK REVVER.COM, ALSO A WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER OF AWARD-WINNING INDEPENDENT FILMS.

9. "RED GOLD"
DIRECTOR: TRAVIS RUMMEL AND BEN KNIGHT
RUNNING TIME: 55 MIN., YEAR: 2008

SYNOPSIS: A FILM ABOUT THE PROPOSED PEBBLE MINE TOLD THROUGH THE UNIQUE AND DISPARATE VOICES OF COMMERCIAL, SUBSISTENCE AND SPORT FISHERMAN OF BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA THAT DOCUMENTS THE TENSION BETWEEN MINE OFFICIALS--WHO SAY THEY WILL BUILD A "CLEAN" MINE THAT WILL LEAVE THE SALMON'S HABITAT UNTOUCHED--AND LOCAL FISHERMAN WHO OPPOSE THE PROJECT.

-- DIRECTORS RUMMEL AND KNIGHT: BOTH ARE ENVIRONMENTALISTS WHO BELIEVE IN UTILIZING FILM TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TO BE VEHICLES FOR CHANGE.


10. "A MAN NAMED PEARL"
DIRECTORS: SCOTT GALLOWAY AND BRENT PIERSON
RUNNING TIME: 78 MIN., YEAR: 2008

SYNOPSIS: A BIGOTED REMARK MADE IN 1976 DISSUADES PEARL FRYAR FROM MOVING INTO A WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD. TOLD THAT "BLACK PEOPLE DON'T KEEP UP THEIR YARDS," PEARL CREATES AN EXTRAORDINARY TOPIARY GARDEN, WHICH RECEIVES OVER 5,000 VISITORS A YEAR.

-- DIRECTOR GALLOWAY: HAS PRODUCED MORE THAN 650 TELEVISION PROGRAMS FOR NETWORKS INCLUDING ABC, A&E, COURT TV, ESPN, FOOD NETWORK, HGTV, HISTORY CHANNEL AND THE TRAVEL CHANNEL. HE HAS WON AN EMMY, A NEW YORK FILM AND
TELEVISION AWARD AND MORE THAN TWENTY TELLY AWARDS.

-- DIRECTOR PIERSON: HAS PRODUCED AND WRITTEN DOCUMENTARY FEATURES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS FOR A&E, DISCOVERY CHANNEL, HISTORY CHANNEL, NBC, PBS, UNIVERSAL-MCA AND OTHERS.





WORLD OPERA WEEK IN BANGKOK

(Thanks to Merveillesxx who told me about this)

BANGKOK OPERA
and the Bangkok Opera HIV Awareness Project
with outstanding artists from Asia, Europe, and The Americas
presents its second
WORLD OPERA WEEK

November 23-29, 2009
Venues: The Thailand Cultural Center
The Bangkok Art and Culture Center

ODE TO JOY • LA BOHEME • A BOY AND A TIGER

EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT
THAI TICKET MAJOR OUTLETS
(02) 262-3456
www.thaiticketmajor.com

20% OFF UNTIL OCTOBER 15

more information at the Bangkok ShOpera, BACC
or email chintana@bangkokopera.com
or call (02) 231-5273

Bangkok Opera's first "World Opera Week" in 2003 brought distinguished guests like Wolfgang Wagner to Thailand and mounted the Southeast Asian premiere of Britten's "Turn of the Screw". Six years later, the Bangkok Opera has grown to be an internationally acclaimed entity (called "the operatic hub of Southeast Asia" by New York's OPERA NEWS) and it's time for another week celebrating singers and musicians from around the world.

November 23 - Ode to Joy
• 7:30

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and more, with members of many choirs from all over the city joining the Orpheus Choir and Siam Philharmonic, and great soloists: Nancy Yuen, Israel Lozano, Sheilagh Angpiroj, and Stefan Sanchez ... some of the most popular singers to perform in Bangkok.

Tickets 100 to 1000 baht.



November 25, 26 at 7:30

• La Boheme

The most popular operatic duo to perform in Bangkok, Nancy Yuen and Israel Lozano did Butterfly here in 2007 in a production so acclaimed that its director and designer were invited to create a Butterfly at the renowned Savonlinna Festival in Finland. They are together in Puccini again, this time in Puccini's most beloved opera under the direction of Darren Royston of RADA, whose brilliant "THAIS" (the Asian premiere of this important opera) earlier this year was a revelation. Many stars, local and international, round out this cast.

tickets: 500 to 3000 baht


November 28, 29 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm

• A Boy and a Tiger

an opera by children for adults, composed by Bruce Gaston ... presented by the Bangkok Opera HIV Awareness Project ... Gaston's brilliant allegory is inspired by the imagery of "The Life of Pi," the bestselling novel by Yann Martel, who has given his blessing to the project. Children from all over Thailand, including HIV-infected children, have come together to perform this stunning new opera that teaches us to live with, and finally to love, our darkest enemies. The Siam Philharmonic Orchestra joins forces with children playing Orff instruments and members of Fong Naam.

tickets: 200 to 2000 baht

*** There is a VIP pass to all 3 events for 4,000 baht, premium seating (6,000 baht if sold separately).

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I WISH URSULA MEIER WIN THE OSCAR

This is the list of submissions to the Oscar Award for Best Foreign Language Film
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_submissions_to_the_82nd_Academy_Awards_for_Best_Foreign_Language_Film

(Thanks to Nanoguy who told us about this list.)

I wish HOME (2008, Ursula Meier) win the Oscar. Ursula Meier directed STRONG SHOULDERS (2003, Switzerland, A+++++++++++++++).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3948989371_376ae5f07e_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/3948989367_677a7a001b_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3948989365_f54534665f_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3948989349_2c3ffb2f23_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3948989347_16c06d91dc_b.jpg

I wish DAWSON, ISLAND 10 (Miguel Littin, Chile) and ABOUT ELLY (Asghar Farhadi, Iran) get nominated. Farhadi directed THE BEAUTIFUL CITY (2004, A+).

Besides Michael Haneke and Jacques Audiard, there are other familiar names in the submission list, including the names of these directors whose works have been shown in Bangkok before:

1.Carlos Carrera directed UNDER A SPELL (1998, Mexico, A-).

2.Corneliu Porumboiu directed 12:08 EAST OF BUCHAREST (2006, Romania, A+).

3.Felix Van Groeningen directed STEVE + SKY (2004, Belgium, A).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399692/

4.Klaus Haro directed MOTHER OF MINE (2005, Finland, A-).

5.Krisztina Goda directed CHILDREN OF GLORY (2006, Hungary, A-).

6.Prasanna Vithanage directed DEATH ON A FULL MOON DAY (1997, Sri Lanka, A-).

















Wednesday, September 23, 2009

MOST FAVORITE THINGS OF JUNE 2009

FAVORITE THINGS IN JUNE 2009

A.FILM

1.THE FEAST (2007, Mimmo Calopresti, A+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808323/

2.PLAYING THE VICTIM (2006, Kirill Serebrennikov, Russia, A+)

3.CERTIFIABLY JONATHAN (2008, Jim Pasternak, USA, A+)

4.BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY (2008, Edwin, Indonesia, A+)

5.CAPTAIN AHAB (2008, Philippe Ramos, A+)

6.SERAPHINE (2008, Martin Provost, A+)
http://ferdyonfilms.com/2009/06/seraphine-2008.php

7.STEALTH (2006, Lionel Baier, France, A+)
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933325.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0

8.SALTY AIR (2006, Alessandro Angelini, A+)
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117931924.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0

9.CHEESE HEAD (2006, Ariel Winograd, Argentina, A+)

10.MS. F. (2007, Wilma Labate, A+)

11.TULPAN (2008, Sergey Dvortsevoy, Kazakhstan, A+)

12.THE RIGHT DISTANCE (2007, Carlo Mazzacurati, A+)

13.IL DIVO (2008, Paolo Sorrentino, A+)

14.KINNUNEN (2007, Andri Luup, Estonia, A+)

15.EAGLE VS SHARK (2008, Taika Waititi, New Zealand, A+)

16.VERSAILLES (2008, Pierre Schoeller, A+)
http://filmref.com/journal/archives/2009/03/versailles_2008.html

17.DRAG ME TO HELL (2009, Sam Raimi)
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090615/drag-me-to-hell-sam-raimi-2009-us

18.ONE OF TWO (2006, Eugenio Cappuccio, A+)

19.THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM (2008, Francesco Patierno, A+)

20.ALL ABOUT ACTRESSES (2009, Maiwenn, A+)

21.THOSE WHO REMAIN (2007, Anne Le Ny, A+)

22.DRIVING TO ZIGZIGLAND (2006, Nicole Ballivian, USA/Palestine, A+)

23.FUNUKE SHOW SOME LOVE, YOU LOSERS ! (2007, Daihashi Yoshida, Japan, A+)

24.WELCOME TO THE STICKS (2008, Dany Boon, France, A+)

25.PUBLIC ENEMY PART ONE (2008, Jean-Francois Richet, A+)


B.THAI FILM

SUEB YUD SAI (1978, Jaruspong Suraswadi, A+)


C.DOCUMENTARY

1.THE ARTIST'S FATE (2009, Wilaiwan Praejaroen, Thailand, A+)

2.HOME (2009, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, A+)

3.NO CHILDHOOD AT ALL (Sam Kanlayanee, Thailand/Myanmar, A+)


D.VIDEO INSTALLATION

1.ILLUSION (2009, Amrit Chusuwan, Thailand, A+)
I'm not sure if this can be called a video installation or not.

2.IN ALBIS (2009, Vittoria Biasi, with animation by Etsuko Ishizuka, Italy, A+/A)


E.MUSIC VIDEO
HMONG BO DAI YA – A Hua Zae-ya (directed by Santiphap Inkong-ngam, A+)


F.STAGE PERFORMANCE

1.LEFT OUT (Dujdao Vadhanapakorn, A+)

2.NANG NAK THE MUSEUM (Damkerng Thitapiyasak, A+/A)

3.HIPPOTHEATRON (directed by Julien Mellano, performed by Compagnie Aie Aie Aie, A+/A)

4.A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Naked Masks Network, A+/A)

5.END YOUR DREAM (Nikorn Saetang, A+/A)

6.LAND'S END (directed by Philippe Genty + Mary Underwood, A)


G.EXHIBITION

1.SPRING IN WHITE (curated by Vittoria Biasi + Nuengruedee Lohapon, Italy/Thailand)

2.PLANET OCEAN (Laurent Ballesta, photos, France)

3.EXPOSURE TO LIGHT (photos shot by blind people , Israel)

4.THE FOURTH NATIONAL YOUTH & JUVENILE ART EXHIBITION

5.THE WAY TO ART (Warawut Tourawong + Jiratchapa Pripwai + Akkapong Kongchang + Wittaya Horsap + Theekawut Boonvijit + Lumpu Kansanoh + Apiruk Potituppa)


H.ACTRESS

1.Yolande Moreau -- SERAPHINE

2.Liya Akhedzhakova – PLAYING THE VICTIM
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015253/

3.Natacha Koutchoumov -- STEALTH (2006, Lionel Baier, France, A+)

4.Sineenadh Keitprapai -- LEFT OUT (Dujdao Vadhanapakorn)

5.Judith Chemla -- VERSAILLES

6.Jirawan Tainmuenwai (Helina) – A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Naked Masks Network)

7.Akeera Modesakul – END YOUR DREAM

8.Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi – THE FEAST

9.Louise Szpindel – ON THE ROPES (2007, Magaly Richard-Serrano, A+/A)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1160480/

10.Kristin Scott Thomas – I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (2008, Philippe Claudel, A+/A)


I.ACTOR

1.Giorgio Pasotti -- SALTY AIR (2006, Alessandro Angelini, A+)

2.Aleksandr Demyanenko (Shurik) – OPERATION Y AND OTHER SHURIK'S ADVENTURES (1965, Leonid Gaidai, A)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0218849/

3.Jonathan Winters – CERTIFIABLY JONATHAN

4.Yuri Chursin (Valya) – PLAYING THE VICTIM

5.Guillaume Depardieu -- VERSAILLES

6.Ulrich Tukur – SERAPHINE

7.Vincent Cassel – PUBLIC ENEMY # 1 (2008, Jean-Francois Richet)

8.Fabio Troiano – ANY REASON NOT TO MARRY? (2006, Massimo Cappelli, A-/B+)

9.Vincent Lindon – THOSE WHO REMAINS (2007, Anne Le Ny, A+)

10.Elio Germano -- THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM (2008, Francesco Patierno, A+)


J.SOUNDTRACK

1.Kantee Anantagant -- LEFT OUT (Dujdao Vadhanapakorn)

2.Teho Teardo – IL DIVO

3.Teho Teardo – THE FAMILY FRIEND (2006, Paolo Sorrentino)

4.HIPPOTHEATRON


K.SONG IN FILM

1.HOPE THERE'S SOMEONE – Antony and the Johnsons
From the film SALTY AIR (2006, Alessandro Angelini, A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b5HHRT8xvw

2.THE SHOW MUST GO ON – The Real Tuesday Weld
From the film THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM (2008, Francesco Patierno, A+)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ZiZ9p2aDo


L.CINEMATOGRAPHY

1.Laurent Desmet – CAPTAIN AHAB

2.Laurent Brunet -- SERAPHINE

3.Luca Bigazzi – THE FAMILY FRIEND

4.Luca Bigazzi – IL DIVO


M.EDITING

1.Giogio Franchini – THE FAMILY FRIEND

2.Cristiano Tavaglioli – IL DIVO
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1273244/


N.ART DIRECTION

1.HIPPOTHEATRON

2.SERAPHINE

3.PLAYING THE VICTIM

4.CAPTAIN AHAB

5.FRIDAY 12 (2009, Vladimir Zaikin, Russia, B+)


O.LIGHTING
HIPPOTHEATRON


P.SONG

1.CURRENTS – Cristian Varela

2.Sometimes U Make Smile – Floetry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrMqUEcC7n4

3.FEELINGS – Floetry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFTrUTZP0LM

4.I'LL DIE – Floetry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIwJt1LjnAU

5.PINK MIST (Jim Rivers remix) – Oliver Moldan

6.CLAP ME (Onionz remix) – Adonis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJYjmriQbo4

7.4 DA UNDERGROUND (Oscar L remix) – DJ Simi & Masterkeys

8.KILL (TECHNO) – Sharam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_2fi5IKoGY

9.OBEA – Agnelli & Nelson

10.SIDEWALK DRILLER – Agnelli & Nelson

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

DREAMAHOLIC (2009, Ping Lamprapleng, A+++++)

This is my comment in Oliver's blog:
http://riverdale-dreams.blogspot.com/2009/09/bruno.html

ชอบประโยคนี้มากๆเลยค่ะ

"จริงๆ แล้วคนดูไม่ได้กำลังหัวเราะความเป็นเกย์ของบรูโน่ (ยอมรับเถอะว่าทุกอย่างที่บรูโน่ทำไม่ได้อิงแอบโลกแห่งความจริงเลยสักนิด) แต่กำลังหัวเราะอคติเกี่ยวกับรักร่วมเพศทั้งหลาย ซึ่งเคยเป็นแค่ความคิด แต่ตอนนี้กลับกลายเป็นภาพให้เห็นจะๆ แบบไม่มีมิดเมี้ยนอีกต่างหาก "

------------------------------------------------------------

This is my comment in Filmsick's blog:
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090920/entry

เราชอบองค์ประกอบเล็กๆน้อยๆประมาณร้อยอย่างในหนังเรื่องนี้มากเลยนะ เรารู้สึกว่าผู้กำกับเป็นคนละเอียดมากๆ องค์ประกอบเล็กๆน้อยๆที่เราชอบมากก็มีเช่น เด็กผู้หญิงสองคนที่วิ่งผ่านด้านหลังพระเอกนางเอกไปอย่างรวดเร็ว พร้อมกับชูแถบผ้าหรืออะไรสักอย่างไปด้วย เรารู้สึกว่าการปรากฏตัวของเด็กหญิงสองคนนี้เป็นการตอกย้ำว่าฉากนั้นอาจจะเป็นความฝัน หรือฉากที่โน้ต อุดมพูดย้ำๆว่ามันเป็น "สไตล์ๆๆๆ" ซึ่งเป็นเหมือนการตระหนักรู้ว่าหนังเรื่องฝันโคตรโคตรนี้ก็มีจุดเด่นที่สไตล์เหมือนกัน เราว่าการที่ผู้กำกับใส่ใจกับองค์ประกอบต่างๆอย่างมากในหนังเรื่องนี้ มันก็สอดคล้องกับฉากที่ด่างไปนำเสนอบท แล้วบอกผู้อำนวยการสร้างว่า บางทีสิ่งที่สำคัญในหนังบางเรื่องมันอยู่ที่รายละเอียด ไม่ได้อยู่ที่เรื่องย่อที่จบในสามประโยค

ส่วนความหลงตัวเองของคุณพิงในหนังเรื่องนี้นั้น เรากลับรับได้แฮะ แต่เรารับความหลงตัวเองของหลิวเต๋อหัวไม่ค่อยได้ ฮ่าๆๆ

PROGRAM AT ALLAINCE FRANCAISE

PROGRAM AT ALLIANCE FRANCAISE, BANGKOK
http://www.alliance-francaise.or.th/

Wednesday, Sep 23
1930
MELO (1986, Alain Resnais, A)

Sep 26+27, Oct 3+4
1930
CARMEN (Kriengsak Silakong, stage play)
400 baht

Wed, Sep 30
1930
COEURS (2006, Alain Resnais, A+)

Wed, Oct 7
1930
BETTY FISHER AND OTHER STORIES (2001, Claude Miller)

Wed, Oct 14
1930
LE COUPERET (2005, Costa-Gavras)

Wed, Oct 21
1930
SELF UNFINISHED (Xavier Le Roy, dance)
400 baht

Wed, Oct 28
1930
BEWARE OF MY LOVE (1998, Jeanne Labrune, A+)

Wed, Nov 4
1930
VERS MATHILDE (2005, Claire Denis)

Wed, Nov 11
1930
YVES SAINT LAURENT 5, AVENUE MARCEAU 75116 PARIS (2002, David Teboul)

Wed, Nov 18
1930
ELDORADO/PRELJOCAJ (2007, Olivier Assayas)

Wed, Nov 25
1930
WILLY RONIS, AUTOPORTRAIT D'UN PHOTOGRAPHE (2003, Michel Toutain + Georges Chatain)

PINYO TONGJUE

This is my comment in Screenout webboard
http://zaa.xq28.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=79&start=675

ตอบน้อง black forest


--พูดถึงหนังเรื่อง "เขาชื่อกานต์" (1973, A+) แล้วทำให้นึกขึ้นมาได้ว่า ภิญโญ ทองเจือในเรื่องนี้หล่อมากๆๆๆๆ ปกติเราไม่ชอบดาราคนนี้เลยนะ และตอนเด็กๆเวลาที่เราเห็นรูปของเขา เราก็ไม่ได้รู้สึกว่าเขาหล่อมากเท่าไหร่ แต่นั่นคงเป็นเพราะว่าเขาคงมีอายุพอสมควรแล้วในตอนนั้น แต่พอเราได้เห็นเขาในหนังปี 1973 เราก็ขอกรี๊ดแตกให้กับความหล่อของเขาในทันที แต่ก็ชอบเขาแค่ในฐานะดาราหล่อๆเท่านั้นนะ ไม่ได้ชอบในฐานะคนจริงๆ

(The photos below are from various webboards.)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/3944735396_69f0fb3b76_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/3944735392_bd4e6c40cd_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3944735386_fab4ab8c62_o.jpg


ตอบน้อง ZM

ขอบคุณมากค่ะที่เห็นฐากูร พานิชกุลแล้วนึกถึงพี่ เพราะปกติตัวละครที่ทำให้คนนึกถึงพี่มากที่สุดคือตัว Shrek


ตอบคุณ FarawayMan และ Sensitiveman

กรี๊ดดดด น้องกานต์น่ารักมากๆจริงๆด้วย


--ในเทศกาลหนัง Bangkok International Film Festival ปีนี้ มีหนังฟิลิปปินส์เข้ามาฉายหลายเรื่อง และหนึ่งในนั้นก็คือเรื่อง MANILA ที่นำแสดงโดยสุดหล่อ Piolo Pascual โดยมีดาราเซ็กซี่รุ่นเก่าชื่อ Jay Manalo มาร่วมแสดงด้วย

Piolo Pascual
http://getitfromboy.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/piolo-pascual.jpg

ลองเสิร์ชดูเจอคลิปของ Jay Manalo จากหนังเรื่อง TOTOY MOLA (1997, Abbo De La Cruz) เห็น Jay ในคลิปนี้แล้วนึกถึงนิคกี้ ส่วนแขกที่มาเที่ยวคลับในคลิปนี้ ที่วิ่งเข้าไปกอดเจย์ เห็นแล้วนึกถึงคุณ Kicho อย่างมากๆ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ll55_X8L7A

















Monday, September 21, 2009

PAMELA, POUR TOUJOURS CAN BE WATCHED ONLINE NOW

PAMELA, POUR TOUJOURS (2003, Alain Bourges, France, 22 min), which is one of my most favorite films of all time, can be watched online now.
http://www.vimeo.com/3782820

I think this is one of the most beautiful films ever made. I also love its sound very much. I included this film in my list of most favorite films seen in 2005 for Senses of Cinema's website. I'm very glad I can watch it again, though I think this film should be viewed in a big theatre with perfect sound system.
http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/06/38/world_poll3.html

Pamela appears in minute 4. She releases her light power at minute 12, then releases her fog power at minute 15, and releases her shadow power at minute 17. She rules the world at minute 19.

I think PAMELA, POUR TOUJOURS is as haunting as Tanatchai Bandasak's films, and should be viewed together with the music video THE KALEIDOSCOPE AFFAIR of Swing Out Sister.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKwyAzTvQ1I

Saturday, September 19, 2009

POLL 64: MALAYSIAN FILMS

My poll 64 is still inspired by Criticine (http://www.criticine.com ), a website of the late Alexis Tioseco. I used to avoid Malaysian films during film festivals, but Criticine changed my mind completely in late 2005.

I think the first Malaysian film that I saw may be DREAM PRINCESS 2 (1998, Aziz M. Osman), which I don't like at all. I saw SPINNING GASING several years later. I think the film is good, but it doesn't make me feel very enthusiastic about Malaysian cinema as a whole. It's Criticine that made me very interested in Malaysian cinema.

Some articles about Malaysian films in Criticine:
http://www.criticine.com/feature_article.php?id=17
http://www.criticine.com/feature_article.php?id=20
http://www.criticine.com/feature_article.php?id=21
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=7
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=8
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=12
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=15
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=16
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=20



I LOVE THESE MALAYSIAN FILMS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.ARTICLE 19 (2001, Eddie Lau)

2.BEFORE WE FALL IN LOVE AGAIN (2006, James Lee)

3.THE BIRD HOUSE (2006, Khoo Eng Yow)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887246/

4.COMPANY OF MUSHROOMS (2005, Tan Chui Mui)

5.DANCING BELLS (2007, Deepak Kumaran Menon)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949869/

6.DAYS OF THE TURQUOISE SKY (2008, Woo Ming Jin)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949869/
http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2008/10/bkkiff-08-capsule-reviews.html

7.DEMOLITION FROG (2001, Linus Chung Yao Fui)

8.THE DINNER GUEST (1997, Bryant Low)

9.FLOWER IN THE POCKET (2007, Liew Seng Tat)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949869/

10.HISTERIA (2008, James Lee)

11.MAKYONG – PAGEANT OF THE ANCIENTS (2000, Bernard Chauly + Ho Yuhang)

12.THE LAST COMMUNIST (2006, Amir Muhammad)
http://www.criticine.com/interview_article.php?id=18
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=19
http://atrickofthelight.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/the-last-communist/

13.LOVE CONQUERS ALL (2006, Tan Chui Mui)
http://www.criticine.com/feature_article.php?id=41

14.RAIN DOGS (2006, Ho Yuhang)
http://www.criticine.com/feature_article.php?id=32

15.SELL OUT! (2008, Yeo Joon Han)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1286172/

16.SPINNING GASING (2000, Teck Tan)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0249161/

17.THIRD PARTY (2003, Khoo Eng Yow)

18.TOTAA (2008, Akashdeep Sing)

19.VILLAGE PEOPLE RADIO SHOW (2007, Amir Muhammad)
http://www.criticine.com/review_article.php?id=23

20.WESTBOUND (2007, Kubhaer T. Jethwani)

You can cast multiple votes.

Friday, September 18, 2009

EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY IS THE WINNER

My poll 63 ended with six votes. Thanks very much to everyone who participated in it. Here is the result:

I LOVE THESE FILIPINO FILMS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY (2004, Lav Diaz)
It got 5 votes, or 83 %.

2. NOW SHOWING (2008, Raya Martin)
It got 4 votes, or 66 %.

3.THE BRIEF LIFESPAN OF FIRE: ACT 2 SCENE 2: SURING AND THE KUK-OK (1995, Auraeus Solito)
+THE FAMILY THAT EATS SOIL (2005, Khavn de la Cruz)
+LABAN: THE MEANING OF THE EDSA REVOLUTION (2007, Sally Jo Bellosillo)
+YEARS WHEN I WAS A CHILD OUTSIDE (2008, John Torres)

Each of them got 2 votes, or 33 %.


7. BONTOC EULOGY (1995, Marlon Fuentes)
+ETERNITY (1983, Raymond Red)
+FIGHT FOR US (1989, Lino Brocka)
+JAY (2008, Francis Xavier Pasion)
+RED SAGA (2004, Gabriela Krista Dalena)
+THE RETROCHRONOLOGICAL TRANSFER OF INFORMATION (1996, Tad Ermitano)
+SURREAL RANDOM MMS TEXTS FOR A MOTHER, A SISTER AND A WIFE WHO LONGS FOR YOU: LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURES (2008, Christopher Gozum)
+THE WHITE FUNERAL (1998, Sari Dalena)

Each of them got 1 vote, or 16 %.


15.APPLE (2005, Sherad Anthony Sanchez)
+THE BET COLLECTOR (2006, Jeffrey Jeturian)
+DRUMBEAT (2007, Adolfo Alix Jr.)
+MANORO (2006, Brillante Mendoza)
+THE MOMENTARY ENEMY (2008, Angel Velasco Shaw)
+THE ROAD TO KALIMUGTONG (2005, Mes de Guzman)

Each of them got 0 vote.

--I'm very glad that I may be able to see some Filipino films in the Bangkok International Film Festival 2009, though I'm very sad that I may not have time to see KINATAY (2009, Brillante Mendoza), because I like Coco Martin very much.

Oggs Cruz wrote about KINATAY here:
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2009/09/kinatay-2009.html


--The films I may be able to see include:

1.AURORA (Adolfo Alix, Jr.)
http://lilokpelikula.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/aurora-adolfo-alix-jr-2009/

2.BUTTERFLIES HAVE NO MEMORIES (2009, Lav Diaz)
(This film is a part of VISITORS.)
http://www.cineaste.com/articles/jeonju-international-film-festivalweb-exclusive
http://cinephileforeignerinkorea.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-jeonju-film-festival-overview.html
http://eng.jiff.or.kr/mprogram/FilmView.aspx?seq=2012

3.IMBURNAL (Sherad Anthony Sanchez)
http://cinefilipinas.blogspot.com/2009/08/imburnal-sherad-anthony-sanchez-2008.html
http://www.cineaste.com/articles/jeonju-international-film-festivalweb-exclusive

4.INDEPENDENCIA (2009, Raya Martin)
The late Alexis Tioseco wrote about this film in Cinema Scope:
http://www.cineaste.com/articles/jeonju-international-film-festivalweb-exclusive

Oggs Cruz's review:
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2009/06/independencia-2009.html

5.MANILA (2009, Adolfo Alix, Jr. & Raya Martin)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2009/07/manila-2009.html
http://cinefilipinas.blogspot.com/2009/08/manila-2009-raya-martin-adolfo-alix-jr.html

---------------------------------------------------------------

--Some Filipino films I wish I can see in the future:

1.ANGELA MARKADO (1980, Lino Brocka)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2006/09/angela-markado-1980.html

2.BLINK OF AN EYE (1982, Mike de Leon)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2006/10/kisapmata-1982.html

3.FRAGMENTS (1991, Lito Tiongson)
http://www.up.edu.ph/oldsystem/a_tiongson.htm

4.MOTORSIKLO (2001, Cesar Hernando)
I don't know anything about this film. I just saw Cesar Hernando's name in Alexis Tioseco's Wishful Thinking for Philippine Cinema
http://alexistioseco.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/wishful-thinking-for-philippine-cinema/

5.OLIVER (1983, Nick Deocampo)
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2007/08/100-best-filipino-films.html

6.PA-SIYAM (2004, Erik Matti)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2007/10/pa-siyam-2004.html

7.SCORPIO NIGHTS (1985, Peque Gallaga)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2008/05/scorpio-nights-1985.html

8.SNAKE SISTERS (1984, Celso Ad. Castillo)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2007/10/snake-sisters-1984.html

9.SONG OF A PEOPLE (1959, Lamberto Avellana)
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2007/08/100-best-filipino-films.html

10.THREE YEARS WITHOUT GOD (1976, Mario O'Hara)
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2007/02/tatlong-taong-walang-diyos-three-years.html

---------------------------------------------------

--Some Thai critics on Filipino films:

Filmsick on MANILA IN THE CLAWS OF NEON (1975, Lino Brocka)
http://filmsick.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/manila-in-the-claws-of-neon-lino-brocka-1975phillipines/

Filmsick on PERFUMED NIGHTMARE (1976, Kidlat Tahimik)
http://filmsick.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/perfumed-nightmarekidlat-tahimik1978phillipines/

Pol Payab on ANTONIO'S SECRET (2008, Joselito Altarejos)
http://www.bloggang.com/mainblog.php?id=aloneagain&month=09-09-2009&group=1&gblog=106

Pol Payab on PLONING (2008, Dante Nico Garcia)
http://www.matichon.co.th/matichon/view_news.php?newsid=01ent01020852&sectionid=0105&day=2009-08-02

Kanchat Rangseekansong on SERBIS (2008, Brillante Mendoza)
http://www.bloggang.com/mainblog.php?id=merveillesxx&month=23-08-2008&group=1&gblog=156

Dechito on SERBIS
http://dechito.blogspot.com/2008/10/serbis.html

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: FILMSICK'S CONDOLENCES FOR ALEXIS AND NIKA

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: FILMSICK'S CONDOLENCES FOR ALEXIS AND NIKA


The writing below is by Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa. It is translated from Thai to English by Adadol Ingawanij.


He follows the figure half-concealed in the shadow, probably the same figure that up to now has been standing frozen in the middle of the town square. All of a sudden, in the dream, the figure steps down from the plinth on which it has been elevated, a concrete plinth decorated with concrete flowers, before disappearing into the darkness.

Of course, the figure leads them into darkness, and abandons them somewhere in this mysterious geography – in this eternally cursed land

Did they come from another world? Or were they lost children? These answers we can’t know for sure. All we know is that they made it here, to this strange world whose citizens are content to let the dark shadows envelop them while they gaze at the movements up there, look, there, from the warm cocoon of their seats. They probably made their way to this place by following the figure that stepped off the plinth. It doesn’t really matter how they got here. What matters is that they came to sit here, among us, among the people who came before, and those who followed them here, among those who have already left, and those who have yet to arrive.

We made friends without having met each other. The world of darkness we exist in gives us this freedom. Up there, where the images flicker, our faces reflect each other’s. We communicate without having to look at each other, by looking at the same thing. Ours is another world, another form of bonding. All we ask is for the room to be dark and the light to keep flickering. We’ll meet there. We’ll breathe the same air, touch each other, there.

They left traces of themselves here, in the land illuminated by light. We do not know each other in this land, separated as we are by borders, distance, class, language, history, genes – all things to keep us apart from one another. All we can do is follow those traces they left behind, and keep dreaming that we’ll see each other again, in our warm, dark world, in the world lit only by the light that falls dancing on the flat plane.

Truly we are fragile, we humans. Our bones are made of glass and our flesh and blood as thin as the stretched surface of a balloon. An instant trigger leads to eternal parting. Brings us to a dark place, another kind of dark, bottomless, place. This place can only come to us by rupturing the world illuminated by light.

A kind of darkness that doesn’t exist in our warm, dark world.

Their traces are slowly fading, fading bit by bit like ice melting in a glass, like the gradual cooling of the body once we begin to let go of that which we had been clinging to.

In truth this world where light reaches is so much sadder, so much more insane, than our warm, dark world.


Even so, we can be sure of one thing: When the light illuminating the world begins to dim, and the faint flicker from our dark world begins to glow brighter, bit by bit, we will meet again.

We’ll meet again.

For Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc

Inspired by a sequence from Evolution of a Filipino Family (Lav Diaz)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

MY TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR BKIFF 2009

The schedule for the Bangkok International Film Festival 2009 can be seen here:
http://www.bangkokfilm.org/images/FinalScreeningschedule.pdf


This is my tentative schedule:

FRIDAY 25 SEP

PARAGON

1230 THE QUEEN AND I (90 MIN) Nahid Persson Savestani
1535 JERICHOW (93 MIN) Christian Petzold
1730 FIXER: THE TAKING OF AJMAL NAQSHBANDI (84 MIN) Ian Olds
1925 CASTRO (85 MIN) Alejo Moguillansky


SATURDAY 26 SEP

CENTRAL WORLD

1030 DOUBLE TAKE (80 MIN) Johan Grimonprez
1240 THE STRENGTH OF WATER (86 MIN) Armagan Ballantyne
1510 THE TIME THAT REMAINS (109 MIN) Elia Sulieman
1730 ADRIFT (110 MIN) Thac Chuyen Bui
1930 ALTIPLANO (109 MIN) Peter Brosens & Jessica Woodworth


SUNDAY 27 SEP

CENTRAL WORLD PLAZA

1030 THE SEARCH (112 MIN) Pema Tseden
1330 VISITORS (106 MIN) Lav Diaz + Naomi Kawase + Hong Sang-soo
1550 REDEMPTION (90 MIN) Sabrina Wulff
1730 INDEPENDENCIA (77 MIN) Raya Martin
2010 SEPET+CHOCOLATE (114 MIN) Yasmin Ahmad


MONDAY 28 SEP

CENTRAL WORLD PLAZA

1300 MANILA (90 MIN) Raya Martin + Adolfo B. Alix, Jr
1510 NE CHANGE RIEN (98 MIN) Pedro Costa
1700 EVERYONE ELSE (119 MIN) Maren Ade
1935 35 SHOTS OF RUM (100 MIN) Claire Denis


TUESDAY 29 SEP

CENTRAL WORLD PLAZA

1200 INLAND (138 MIN) Tariq Teguia
1525 IMBURNAL (215 MIN) Sherad Anthony Sanchez
2015 DOGTOOTH (96 MIN) Yorgos Lanthimos


WEDNESDAY 30 SEP

CENTRAL WORLD PLAZA
1245 JAMILA AND THE PRESIDENT (97 MIN) Ratna Sarampaet
1525 AURORA (81 MIN) Adolfo B. Alix, Jr

Monday, September 14, 2009

STAVISKY MAY BE SHOWN THIS WEDNESDAY

I have heard that STAVISKY (1974, Alain Resnais) might be shown at Alliance Francaise, Bangkok, on Wednesday, 16 September, 2009, at 1930 hrs, with English subtitles. But I can't confirm it, because it seems the website of Alliance Francaise is inaccessible at the moment. So I'm not sure if the film will be shown or not. But I would like to see it very much, because I worship Resnais, and the film is about Leon Trotski, the political machinations in France in 1930's, the breaking of the Left and the drift to Fascism, according to Time Out Film Guide.

The photos below is from http://www.allocine.fr/
























Sunday, September 13, 2009

SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THAI LAW, TOO

Via Dino Manrique, I found this proposed bill for the Philippine Congress on the internet. I think a section in this bill is interesting and should be applied to the controversial new Thai law about film ratings and censorship, too.

http://freeexpression.multiply.com/journal/item/45/MTCB_Act_Text_HB_6425

" Provided, That screenings and programs of tertiary level academic institutions, governmental cultural institutions, and non-governmental cultural institutions and establishments such as but not limited to art bars, art galleries, festivals, museums, churches, or by individuals, organizations, societies, clubs, groups, or associations for educational, documentary, cultural, scientific, political, news programs, civic, cause-oriented, industrial, sales, public relations and instructional films in venues for non-regular theatrical distribution shall be free from any review by, and registration with, the Board: Provided further, That the said institutions and establishments shall observe self-regulation."

Thursday, September 10, 2009

POLL 63: FILIPINO FILMS

My poll 63 is inspired by the website http://www.criticine.com of the late Alexis Tioseco. I started paying real attention to Filipino films after I knew Alexis and his website in late 2005. Before I knew him, I had focused on European films and had tried to avoid Southeast Asian films during film festivals in Bangkok. How stupid I was at that time! Fortunately, Alexis' website and his enthusiasm and passion for Filipino films and Southeast Asian films made me change my mind completely.

I LOVE THESE FILIPINO FILMS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.APPLE (2005, Sherad Anthony Sanchez)

2.THE BET COLLECTOR (2006, Jeffrey Jeturian)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0782053/
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2006/08/kubrador-2006.html

3.BONTOC EULOGY (1995, Marlon Fuentes)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199372/
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2009/01/bontoc-eulogy-1995.html

4.THE BRIEF LIFESPAN OF FIRE: ACT 2 SCENE 2: SURING AND THE KUK-OK (1995, Auraeus Solito)

5.DRUMBEAT (2007, Adolfo Alix Jr.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092036/
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2008/08/tambolista-2007.html
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2008/08/tamnbolista-drumbeat-adolfo-alix-jr.html

6.ETERNITY (1983, Raymond Red)
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2007/12/raymond-red.html

7.EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY (2004, Lav Diaz)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424062/
http://www.criticine.com/interview_article.php?id=21

8.THE FAMILY THAT EATS SOIL (2005, Khavn de la Cruz)
http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/05/34/khavn_de_la_cruz.html

9.FIGHT FOR US (1989, Lino Brocka)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097583/
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2006/09/orapronobis-1989.html
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2009/05/lino-brocka-films-thoughout-month-of.html

10.JAY (2008, Francis Xavier Pasion)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1244571/
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2008/07/jay-2008.html

11.LABAN: THE MEANING OF THE EDSA REVOLUTION (2007, Sally Jo Bellosillo)
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20080331/my-beff-5-part-1

12.MANORO (2006, Brillante Mendoza)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0922499/
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2006/11/manoro-2006.html

13.THE MOMENTARY ENEMY (2008, Angel Velasco Shaw)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1387410/
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20080331/my-beff-5-part-1

14.NOW SHOWING (2008, Raya Martin)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2008/05/now-showing-2008.html
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20081007/now-showing-raya-martin-2008

15.RED SAGA (2004, Gabriela Krista Dalena)

16.THE RETROCHRONOLOGICAL TRANSFER OF INFORMATION (1996, Tad Ermitano)

17.THE ROAD TO KALIMUGTONG (2005, Mes de Guzman)
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2007/06/ang-daan-patungong-kalimugtong-2005.html

18.SURREAL RANDOM MMS TEXTS FOR A MOTHER, A SISTER AND A WIFE WHO LONGS FOR YOU: LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURES (2008, Christopher Gozum)

19.THE WHITE FUNERAL (1998, Sari Dalena)

20.YEARS WHEN I WAS A CHILD OUTSIDE (2008, John Torres)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179296/
http://www.criticine.com/interview_article.php?id=22
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2007/08/voices-tilted-screens-and-extended.html
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2008/06/taon-noong-akoy-anak-sa-labas-years.html

You can select multiple answers.

--Thanks to Alexis Tioseco for making me fall in love with Filipino films. Thanks to the Thai Film Foundation for showing us those great short Filipino films for many years. Thanks to Duangkamol Filmhouse for showing us FIGHT FOR US and Lav Diaz retrospective. Thanks to many organizers of film festivals and film events in Bangkok for showing us these great Filipino films.

--I hope one day I will get to see many films in Noel Vera's list:
http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2007/08/100-best-filipino-films.html


--Bioscope Magazine (in Thai), Issue 94, September 2009, publishes a five-page interview of Lav Diaz and Alexis Tioseco.




MONSTER (2009, Ninart Boonpothong, A+)

This is my comment in Screenout Webboard:
http://zaa.xq28.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=79&sid=b384fc9c760cd4271aa8c3add9787518&start=650

--ประทับใจกับประโยคนี้ของคุณ sensitiveman มากๆค่ะ

"ป้าโอลิเวอร์ควรมาดูและเอาเป็นตัวอย่างในการจิกตา เมื่อไปนั่งกินอาหารใน central world"

--เห็นด้วยอย่างรุนแรงค่ะว่า Denis Menochet มีเสน่ห์ดึงดูดทางเพศอย่างประหลาดใน INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (A+)

--เมื่อสัปดาห์ที่แล้วไปดูละครเวทีเรื่อง "อสุรกาย" (2009, นินาท บุญโพธิ์ทอง, A+) มา สนุกดี มีตัวละครเป็นเกย์ด้วย เป็นอาจารย์เกย์ (ขรรชัย กลีบการะเกตุ) ที่หลงรักลูกศิษย์หนุ่มหล่อ (กุลเชษฐ์ ทองผิว) ดูแล้วรู้สึกอินกับความรู้สึกของอาจารย์รายนี้มากพอสมควร
http://nmn2008.hi5.com/friend/photos/displayPhotoUser.do?photoId=4138490414&albumId=357236428&ownerId=187860552#4138490414_187860552_357236428_0

ถ้าเข้าใจไม่ผิด "อสุรกาย" เป็นละครเวทีแนวการเมือง ดูแล้วถ้าใครอยากตีความ ก็อาจจะมีอะไรให้ตีความได้เยอะ แต่ถ้าใครไม่อยากตีความ ละครเรื่องนี้ก็ดูสนุกอยู่ดี มีบางช่วงที่เราดูแล้วกลัวมากๆด้วย
http://nmn2008.hi5.com

--ส่วนนายแบบที่ชอบมากๆตอนนี้คือ "อาชา มหาเสน่ห์" เขาถ่ายแบบลงนิตยสาร "เรื่องของเรา" ฉบับที่ 4 นิตยสารเล่มนี้อ่านแล้วคลายเครียดอย่างมากๆ เพราะมีเรื่องสั้นแนวเกย์ให้อ่านมากมาย

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

THE WITCH IS THE WINNER

My poll 62 ended with seven votes. Thanks very much to everyone who participated in it. Here is the result:

I LOVE THESE FEEL-BAD FILMS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

1.THE WITCH (2009, Alwa Ritsila + Phatamon Chitachinda, Thailand)
It got 4 votes, or 57 %.

2.DEATH IN THE LAND OF ENCANTOS (2007, Lav Diaz, Philippines)
+MY MINE (ความในใจ) (2009, Woratouch Wattanagune, Thailand)
Each of them got 3 votes, or 42 %.

4.BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY (2008, Edwin, Indonesia)
+LITTLE LIFE (2009, Rungkarn Kaewsuwan, Thai animation)
+SEDUCTION LULLABY (2009, Napat Treepalawisetkun, Thailand)
+THE UNINVITED (2003, Lee Su-yeon, South Korea)
Each of them got 2 votes, or 28 %.

8.THE CRUEL EMBRACE (1987, Marion Hansel, Belgium)
+HORSEMEN (2009, Jonas Akerlund, USA)
+PLAYING THE VICTIM (2006, Kirill Serebrennikov, Russia)
+SOUND AND FURY (1988, Jean-Claude Brisseau, France)
+YUE (VICTIMS) (1987, Chana Kraprayun, Thailand)
Each of them got 1 vote, or 14 %.

13. BOG OF BEASTS (2006, Claudio Assis, Brazil)
+EXTASE DE CHAIR BRISEE (2005, Pierre-Luc Vaillencourt + Frederick Maheux, Canada)
+FRIENDSHIP (2008, Right Brain Team, Thailand)
+GARAGE OLIMPO (1999, Marco Bechis, Argentina)
+THE HUNGARIAN SERVANT (2004, Giorgio Molteni + Massimo Piesco, Italy)
+A NATION WITHOUT WOMEN (2003, Manish Jha, India)
+RULE #1 (2008, Kelvin Tong, Hong Kong)
+TUENJAI: THE UNFORGETTABLE CASE (เตือนใจ คดีที่ไม่มีวันลืม) (1979, Dul Wijit, Thailand)

Each of them got 0 vote.

--You can read the interview of Edwin, the director of BLING PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY, by the late Alexis Tioseco here:
http://www.criticine.com/interview_article.php?id=31

--I think THE WITCH is too violent for my taste, but the film is still "acceptable" in my point of view, because I guess the making of this film doesn't cause any harm to "real" animals or "real" human beings.

I think the killing scene in this film seems to have some disturbing sexual connotations. Actually it is too disturbing for me.

However, there are many reasons why I like THE WITCH, including:

1.Its perfect use of music, which is something you can expect from every film by Alwa Ritsila

2.Its editing, which is really difficult in this film, because Alwa plays all the three main characters.

3.Alwa's performance

4.Its lighting, or lack of lighting. I don't know if the directors use special lighting in this film or not, but I like the low-light images in this film very much. The images of this film look very realistic for me, and it makes the film much scarier.

5.I think this is one of the scariest films of all time for me. It is as frightening as JEEPERS CREEPERS (2001, Victor Salva) or WOLF CREEK (2005, Greg McLean). THE WITCH may be inspired by SUSPIRIA, but I think THE WITCH scares me much more than SUSPIRIA, because THE WITCH has realistic looks and realistic settings, while the story of SUSPIRIA takes place in a gothic school, which seems to have no connections with my real life.

THE WITCH also reminds me of two horror films I love: TOOLBOX MURDERS (2003, Tobe Hooper) and SCREAM (1996, Wes Craven). These three films scare me a lot, because it makes me feel as if the stories in these films can happen in my real life. The stories of these films don't take place in a rural area or a deserted house, but take place in ordinary neighborhood or ordinary apartments. After I saw THE WITCH, I always look carefully both left and right whenever I leave my apartment. The film makes me fear that I might see a wicked person like the witch waiting to attack me outside my room.

6.THE WITCH unintentionally makes me think about something—I think that as long as I still eat meat, I'm not that much different from the witch. I know that the directors of this film don't have any intentions at all to make the audience think this way. I just feel a little bit guilty when I eat meat, so I adapt the film to my own feelings of guilt.

Excluding the disturbing sexual connotations of the killing scene, something in the killing scene unintentionally reminds me of some animal-slaughtering scenes in other films. The witch in this film can keep her own beauty by using the blood of some virgin girls. It makes me think about myself who still enjoy eating meat, meat which come from innocent animals who don't want to die, who may cry for help, beg for mercy, wonder why they are going to be killed, and suffer enormous pain when humans kill them. These animals are not much different from the victim in THE WITCH. And I am as heartless and cruel as the witch. I just want to enjoy delicious meat, and I don't care how much suffering other animals may experience in order to become my food.

Yes, I still eat meat, and because of this, I don't think I'm much different from the witch.

Other feel-bad films I like:

21.ANTARES (2004, Gotz Spielmann, Austria)
22.L'ARGENT (1983, Robert Bresson, France)
23.BAISE-MOI (2000, Virginie Despentes + Coralie Trinh Thi, France)
24.BAD LIEUTENANT (1992, Abel Ferrara, USA)
25.BATTLE IN HEAVEN (2005, Carlos Reygadas, Mexico)
26.BOYS DON'T CRY (1999, Kimberly Peirce, USA)
27.CAPOTE (2005, Bennett Miller, USA)
28.CASUALTIES OF WAR (1989, Brian De Palma, USA)
29.A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971, Stanley Kubrick, UK)
30.COME AND SEE (1985, Elem Klimov, USSR)

31.CRIMSON GOLD (2003, Jafar Panahi, Iran)
32.CRONICAS (2003, Sebastian Cordero, Mexico)
33.CRY IN SIELENCE (2006, J.G. Biggs, France)
34.THE DEATH KING (1990, Joerg Buttgereit, West Germany)
35.DEMENTED (2006, Laurent Achard, France)
36.THE DEVILS (2002, Christophe Ruggia, France)
37.DOG DAYS (2001, Ulrich Seidl, Austria)
38.DON'T CRY NANKING (1995, Wu Ziniu, China)
39.EARTHCORE (2005, Chookiat Sakvirakul, Thailand)
40.FATE (1994, Fred Kelemen, Germany)

41.IMPRINT (2006, Miike Takashi, Japan)
42.IN MY SKIN (2002, Marina de Van, France)
43.IS IT EASY TO KILL/PRAY? (2005, Sherman Ong, Vietnam)
44.I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (1978, Meir Zarchi, USA)
45.I STAND ALONE (1998, Gaspar Noe, France)
46.LOVELY RITA (2001, Jessica Hausner, Austria)
47.THE MACABRE CASE OF PROMPIRAM (2003, Manop Udomdej, Thailand)
48.LA MADRE MUERTA (1993, Juanma Bajo Ulloa, Spain)
49.MONDOMANILA (2005, Khavn de la Cruz, Philippines)
50.MON FILS A MOI (2006, Martial Fougeron, France)

51.MONSTER (2003, Patty Jenkins, USA)
52.NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007, Joel Coen + Ethan Coen, USA)
53.OR (2004, Keren Yedaya, Israel)
54.PAIN (1994, Eric Khoo, Singapore)
55.PANDA (2007, Nathan Homsup, Thai animation)
56.PERFECT LOVE! (1996, Catherine Breillat, France)
57.A PETAL (1996, Jang Sun-woo, South Korea)
58.THE PLACE WITHOUT LIMITS (1978, Arturo Ripstein, Mexico)
59.PLEASANT DAYS (2002, Kornel Mundruczo, Hungary)
60.SALO, OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM (1975, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Italy)

61.SANTA SANGRE (1989, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Italy)
62.SATANTANGO (1994, Bela Tarr, Hungary)
63.THE SEVENTH CONTINENT (1989, Michael Haneke, Austria)
64.THE STRANGERS (2008, Bryan Bertino, USA)
65.TO BE TWENTY (1978, Fernando Di Leo, Italy)
66.VENGEANCE IS MINE (1979, Shohei Imamura, Japan)
67.LA VIE DE JESUS (1996, Bruno Dumont, France)
68.VIOLENCE AT NOON (1966, Nagisa Oshima, Japan)
69.WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? (1976, Narciso Ibanez Serrador, Spain)

SWELLING SPOTS IN A NYLON BAG (2009, Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa, A+)

This is my comment in Wise Kwai's blog:
http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2009/09/thai-film-shot-on-mount-rushmore-and.html

Thanks for the link, Wise Kwai.

Talking about Thai films shot abroad, I think about JONG RAK (1988, Prince Tipyachat Chatchai, B+), starring Marsha Wattanapanich, Bin Bunluerit, and Badin Duke. I think it was shot in Switzerland, and tries to exploit its beautiful scenery as much as it can. There is a memorable scene in which Marsha runs in a green beautiful valley in Switzerland. I remember this scene very well, because when my friends and I had to do some military training at that time (1988) and had to run in a field in a military base, we tried to imitate the running of Marsha and shouted something like "Jong Ruk" or "I am Marsha" while running.

There is a Thai film shot in Australia called LADY FARANG DONG (THE LADY OF PICKLED GUAVA) (1984, Pornpot Ganitasane), starring Jarunee Suksawasdi. I haven't seen this film yet, but it is available in Youtube without English subtitles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1Mf4KI5azA

-----------------------------------------

This is my comment in Filmsick's blog:
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090831/entry

ถ้าบอกกันตามตรง ก็ต้องบอกว่าปีนี้ Filmsick ทำหนังและเขียนเรื่องสั้นที่มีผลกระทบทางอารมณ์ต่อเราอย่างรุนแรงมากขึ้น เพราะก่อนหน้านี้เราชอบ "สไตล์" ของหนังหรืองานเขียนของ Filmsick แต่มันไม่มีผลกระทบทางอารมณ์ต่อเราในระดับที่ถึงขีดสุด แต่หนังอย่าง THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, เรื่องสั้นเรื่องนี้ หรือเรื่องสั้นเกี่ยวกับหมอผีมอแกนตกยุค มันมีผลกระทบทางอารมณ์ต่อเรามากพอสมควร จุดที่ทำให้เราอยากร้องไห้ในเรื่องสั้นเรื่องนี้ ก็คือตอนที่ตัวละครร้องเพลงกล่อมลูกออกมา เราว่า filmsick ใส่ฉากกล่อมลูกออกมาได้อย่างถูกจังหวะมากๆในเรื่องสั้นเรื่องนี้

ตัวละครในเรื่องสั้นเรื่องนี้ทำให้นึกถึงตัวละครใน EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY ด้วย

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http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090909/entry
กรี๊ดดดดดดดดดดดดดดดดดดดดด

MUST-SEE FILM IN SEP -- DOUBLE TAKE (Johan Grimonprez)

DOUBLE TAKE (2009, Johan Grimonprez) will be shown in the Bangkok International Film Festival during 24-30 September, 2009.
http://www.bangkokfilm.org/index.php?name=programs&file=readprograms&id=15

Mark Peranson wrote about this film here:
http://www.cinema-scope.com/cs38/int_peranson_grimonprez.html

สาเหตุหลักที่ทำให้อยากดูหนังเรื่องนี้เป็นเพราะว่าเคยดูหนังเรื่อง DIAL H-I-S-T-O-R-Y (1998) ของผู้กำกับคนนี้มาแล้ว และรู้สึกชอบหนังเรื่องนี้อย่างรุนแรงมาก และถ้าเข้าใจไม่ผิด หนังเรื่อง DOUBLE TAKE นี้ก็จะมีลักษณะสำคัญบางอย่างเหมือนกับ DIAL H-I-S-T-O-R-Y นั่นก็คือการนำเอา found footage หรือส่วนเสี้ยวของภาพเคลื่อนไหวเก่าๆจากหลายแหล่งที่มามาตัดต่อเข้าด้วยกันจนเกิดเป็นเรื่องราวใหม่ๆหรือความหมายใหม่ๆที่พิศวงพิสดาร โดยในส่วนของ DOUBLE TAKE นั้นจะไม่ได้มีเพียงแค่ส่วนที่เป็น found footage เท่านั้น แต่มีส่วนที่ Grimonprez ถ่ายทำขึ้นใหม่เองด้วย ซึ่งก็คือส่วนที่แอลเฟรด ฮิทช์ค็อกสองคนมาปะทะกัน

เราอ่านเรื่องย่อของ DOUBLE TAKE แล้วเราไม่เข้าใจ แต่นั่นก็ทำให้เราอยากดูหนังเรื่องนี้มากขึ้นไปอีก เพราะนั่นแสดงให้เห็นว่าหนังเรื่องนี้ยากจะถ่ายทอดออกมาเป็นตัวอักษรได้ ถ้าหากให้เราเดาๆเอาจากที่ได้อ่านมา เราก็คิดว่า DOUBLE TAKE อาจจะพูดถึงสิ่งต่างๆที่น่าสนใจหลายอย่างด้วยกัน ซึ่งรวมถึงสิ่งต่อไปนี้

1.การพูดถึงสงครามต่อต้านการก่อการร้ายของสหรัฐในช่วงที่ผ่านมา แต่พูดถึงประเด็นนี้ผ่านทางการย้อนดูประวัติศาสตร์ของสงครามเย็น โดยเฉพาะการก่อตัวของสงครามเย็นตั้งแต่ช่วงปลายทศวรรษ 1950 โดยจุดที่น่าสนใจมากของสงครามทั้งสองครั้งนี้ก็คือการใช้ประโยชน์จากความกลัวของประชาชน นอกจากนี้ หนังเรื่องนี้ยังมีการตัดสลับข้ามเวลากันไปมาอย่างรุนแรงมาก ซึ่งอาจจะเป็นการตอกย้ำประเด็นที่ว่า "ประวัติศาสตร์มักจะย้อนรอยตัวเอง"

2.DOUBLE TAKE อาจจะพูดถึงบทบาทของสื่อในสงครามด้วย อย่างเช่นบทบาทของสื่อโทรทัศน์ในช่วงสงครามเย็นและสงครามต่อต้านการก่อการร้าย หรือการที่สื่อที่ได้รับความนิยมสูงอย่างเช่นภาพยนตร์อาจจะสะท้อนอะไรบางอย่างของสังคมในแต่ละยุค อย่างเช่นในยุคของฮิทช์ค็อกก็อาจจะสะท้อนความหวาดกลัวสงครามเย็น และในยุคทศวรรษ 1990 ก็อาจจะสะท้อนความหวาดกลัว "สิ่งอื่น" ที่ยังไม่ปรากฏชัดเจน เพราะในทศวรรษ 1990 เป็นยุคที่สงครามเย็นสิ้นสุดไปแล้ว และสงครามต่อต้านการก่อการร้ายยังไม่เริ่มต้นขึ้น

3.DOUBLE TAKE อาจจะพูดถึงเรื่องการแข่งขันกันระหว่างสื่อด้วย โดยเฉพาะการที่สื่อโทรทัศน์เข้ามาแทนที่สื่อภาพยนตร์ในทศวรรษ 1950 และการที่สื่ออินเทอร์เน็ตเข้ามาได้รับความนิยมในยุคปัจจุบัน โดย Grimonprez ตั้งข้อสังเกตว่า สื่อโทรทัศน์ในทศวรรษ 1950 อาจจะก่อให้เกิดสิ่งใหม่ๆหลายอย่าง อย่างเช่น "การเล่าเรื่องโดยคำนึงถึงความจริงที่ว่าจะต้องมีโฆษณาเข้ามาคั่นเป็นระยะๆ" หรือ "การเล่าเรื่องโดยคำนึงถึงความจริงที่ว่าผู้ชมอาจจะทำกับข้าวไปด้วยหรือกินข้าวกับครอบครัวไปด้วยในระหว่างที่ดูทีวี" นอกจากนี้ Grimonprez ยังตั้งข้อสังเกตว่าภาพยนตร์หลายเรื่องเริ่มไม่ใส่คำว่า The End เข้าไปในตอนจบตั้งแต่ในยุคนั้น ซึ่งนั่นอาจจะเป็นผลมาจากการที่ภาพยนตร์เริ่มได้รับอิทธิพลจากโทรทัศน์ในยุคนั้น เพราะภาพในโทรทัศน์เป็นภาพที่ไม่มีจุดจบหรือจุดสิ้นสุด

4.DOUBLE TAKE พูดถึงหนังเรื่อง THE BIRDS (1963, Alfred Hitchcock) ด้วย เพราะหนังเรื่องนี้ได้รับการตีความมากมาย โดยได้รับการตีความว่าอาจหมายถึงการที่สื่อโทรทัศน์รุกล้ำเข้ามาอยู่ในบ้านเรือนของประชาชนในยุคนั้น หรือบางคนก็ตีความว่าหนังเรื่องนี้อาจหมายถึงความสัมพันธ์แบบเก็บกดระหว่างแม่กับลูกชาย

5.ความเฮี้ยนอย่างหนึ่งของหนังเรื่องนี้คือการให้ตัวละครฮิทช์ค็อกสองคนมาปะทะกันในกองถ่ายหนังเรื่อง THE BIRDS โดยนักวิจารณ์บอกว่าส่วนนี้ของ DOUBLE TAKE เป็นสิ่งที่ "Borgesian" หรือ "คล้ายบทประพันธ์ของบอร์เกส" มากๆ

6.หนังเรื่องนี้เป็นหนังที่จัดประเภทไม่ได้ เพราะมีทั้งส่วนที่เป็นเรื่องจริง,เรื่องแต่ง และเรียงความผสมกันอยู่อย่างอลหม่านไปหมด เราเดาว่าความเฮี้ยนตรงจุดนี้อาจจะอยู่ในระดับเท่ากับหรือมากกว่า MY WINNIPEG (Guy Maddin) ในปีที่แล้ว โดยความเหลื่อมล้ำกันระหว่างเรื่องจริงกับเรื่องแต่งใน DOUBLE TAKE ยังเป็นการสะท้อนให้เห็นถึง "ความไม่จริง" ของเหตุผลที่นำมาใช้ในการทำสงครามต่อต้านการก่อการร้าย และเป็นการตั้งคำถามต่อ "ความจริง" ของรายงานข่าวสงครามทางโทรทัศน์ในยุคปัจจุบันด้วย

7.หนังเรื่องนี้ดูเหมือนจะเล่นกับคำว่า double ในหลายๆแง่ ทั้งการมีฮิทช์ค็อกสองคน, การซ้ำของประวัติศาสตร์, การนำฉากเก่ามาเล่นใหม่อีกครั้ง แต่ในบริบทที่ต่างออกไป, การที่ "ภาษา" พยายามจะลอกเลียนหรือทำซ้ำ "ความเป็นจริง", การที่โทรทัศน์ทำซ้ำความเป็นจริง

8.หนังเรื่องนี้นำเสนอเหตุการณ์สำคัญในประวัติศาสตร์ อย่างเช่นเรื่องการส่งยานสปุตนิกของสหภาพโซเวียตขึ้นสู่อวกาศในปี 1957 ซึ่งสร้างความหวาดผวาให้กับชาวสหรัฐในยุคนั้นเป็นอย่างมาก และเหตุการณ์ Kitchen Debate หรือการสนทนากันครั้งสำคัญระหว่างนิกิตา ครุชเชฟ นายกรัฐมนตรีโซเวียต กับริชาร์ด นิกสัน รองประธานาธิบดีสหรัฐ ที่ห้องครัวในบ้านตัวอย่างหลังหนึ่งในกรุงมอสโคว์ในปี 1959 โดยทั้งสองคนนี้ต่างก็กล่าวถึงข้อดีของระบบเศรษฐกิจของประเทศตนเอง ซี่งได้แก่ระบบคอมมิวนิสต์ของโซเวียตกับทุนนิยมของสหรัฐ และการสนทนานี้ได้รับการแพร่ภาพทางโทรทัศน์

9.หนังเรื่องนี้ทำให้ผู้ชมต้องตั้งคำถามหรือตั้งข้อสงสัยต่อสิ่งที่ปรากฏอยู่บนจอเกือบตลอดเวลา และนั่นอาจจะเป็นสิ่งที่เราทุกคนควรทำในชีวิตจริงด้วยเช่นกัน เพราะเราทุกคนควรตั้งคำถามต่อสิ่งต่างๆรอบตัวอยู่เสมอ โดยเฉพาะการตั้งคำถามต่อข่าวทางโทรทัศน์และข่าวทางหน้าหนังสือพิมพ์

10.นักวิจารณ์บอกว่าหนังเรื่องนี้มีลักษณะเชิงกวีด้วย

เรายังไม่ได้ดูหนังเรื่องนี้ เราแค่ได้อ่านบทความเกี่ยวกับหนังเรื่องนี้ เพราะฉะนั้นเราไม่รู้หรอกว่าประเด็นต่างๆที่เราเขียนมาข้างต้นมันมีอยู่ในหนังจริงหรือเปล่า ถ้าหากประเด็นบางประเด็นที่เราระบุมาข้างต้นไม่ได้มีอยู่ในหนัง เราก็ขออภัยมา ณ ที่นี้ด้วย

ดูตัวอย่างหนังเรื่องนี้ได้ที่

Excerpts from DOUBLE TAKE:
But it is 1962
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDG39Cl7Mc

The humiliation of old age
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCWzQSQwNxk

I didn't get that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs4wkbIviqY

If you meet your double, you should kill him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCKyyb_3VX0

The Nixon-Khrushchev summit meet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwdNjDSw02A

20th Century's most extraordinary diplomatic maneuver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iWHDjJ613k

We have scripted this moment together
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b7Jf1G-ejI

Monday, September 07, 2009

AN E-MAIL I WROTE IN SEPTEMBER 2005

This is an e-mail I sent to Alexis Tioseco on September 2, 2005, talking about some Southeast Asian short films I saw, including the Filipino ones in his program. I think I should post it here, too:


"Hi Alexis

I’m very sorry to reply a little bit late. The fact is that I don’t own a computer and have to use the internet cafe, and normally I go to an internet cafe only on the weekends. So sometimes it takes a week before I reply. I hope you don’t mind.

I’m also sorry if I don’t remember some short films I saw very well. It is because during short film festivals like this, I saw approximately 30-50 short films a day. That makes it hard to remember the details of each film, but I have no choice. If I don’t see them all in this kind of festival, I may not have a chance to see them again. I wish I could have had more time to write down the details of each film I saw, but I had not much free time. So all I could do is just ranking the films according to my preferential order, because it takes only few seconds to do something like this.

I really appreciate what you did with the Philippine program. You chose the films very well. Most of them are not plain narrative. The only one which can be called plain narrative is Kultado (2005, Lawrence Fajardo), but the film is very powerful.

Bakasyon (2004, Raya Martin) is also narrative. But I like the haunting atmosphere of this film very much.So in my own personal opinion, the atmosphere of this film seems to be more important than the story, thus I call it an atmospheric film, rather than a plain narrative film. I also like very much that the film never shows what really happened. I don’t know who or what the grandmother really is. However, I’m not so sure about it. Maybe the film did show what the grandmother really is, but I just missed that scene.Or maybe the film concerns a Philippine folklore, and if you know the folklore, you will understand the film. I’m not sure. However, I like the fact that I don’t truly understand what happened in the final part of the film. Watching this film reminds me of Hotel (2004, Jessica Hausner, A+). Hotel (2004) is very atmospheric. There seems to be no story, or no real dramatic plot. It is just about a girl going to work in a hotel. But something is wrong in the hotel. And in the end, we never know what is wrong with the hotel. We just know that something is wrong. We justknow it. We just sense it. We just feel it. But we will never understand it. We can dream about it or imagine it anyway we like, but we can never be sure about it.

If you can, try to screen Bakasyon together with Hotel(2004). These two films seem to be made out of the same twilight zone.

As for the Philippine program, I came to the screening late, so I missed Tawidgutom, which is the first film shown in the program. The film I like the most in the program is Red Saga (2004, Gabriela Krista Dalena). It is very powerful and very painful. I don’t understand the context of the film, because I don’t know anything about the social problems, the general history, the political history, or the political conflicts of Philippines, but I still feel some kind of pain watching this film. If the director chooses to tell the story in a narrative way, maybe he can make a lot of audience cry with a painful story like this. But Ilike the way it is now.

Watching Red Saga reminds me of “Fight For Us” (LinoBrocka), which is also a powerful political film. I think “Fight For Us” is about something which happened during the Aquino regime. I also like Imelda (2003,Ramona S. Diaz) very much. And I think that after some films about Imelda Marcos and Corazon Aquino’s regimes were made, maybe it is time to make some films about Arroyo’s regime, or maybe some films have already been made about that, I don’t know.

I think one good thing about Philippine cinema is that there seems to be many political films. Thailand lack political films.

The film which I regretfully forgot the most part of it is Exaggeration (2005, Bryan Blue Cuevas). I just remember the feeling that I felt joyful and pleasant watching this film, but I remember nothing else. I forgot most images and sound of this film. It really requires second viewing. I like Jon Jost very much. I only saw one film of his—All the Vermeers in New York (1990, A+) , but I’m sure he is a great artist.

From only one viewing, I don’t understand “Coming toPass” (2005, Sherad Anthony Sanchez). But it seems funny to me, and I like most films which portray crazy female characters.

I also don’t understand Abstraction (2005, Sherad Anthony Sanchez). Is it about abortion or teenage sex? I don’t know. Please correct me if I’m wrong. But I’m not a fan of anti-abortion or anti-teenage sex films.I like the style of this film, though I’m not sure about the message.

Apple (2005, Sherad Anthony Sanchez) might also be a moralistic film or a social-concerned film. But I’m overwhelmed by its power, and I like the final part of this film very much. Though I’m not a fan of moralistic films, I think that “Apple” still has manythings to offer more than a simple moral lesson or more than a social problem in which it is too clear who is wrong or right or who is the perpetrator and who is the victim. In reality, sometimes it is very clear who is wrong or right in some social problems,but many times it is boring when someone tries to show that kind of reality in a film. However, I think the directors of “Red Saga” and “Apple” chose the appropriate way to make a social-concerned film.

I don’t remember much about Salat (2004, John Torres).I just remember that I like it. I normally like films which have a structure like this—composed of small stories or small sets of powerful images, though it is not clear how they are directly related to each other.

I think Salat also requires second viewing.

I don’t remember the whole story of Juan Kaliwa (LeftTurn). I just remember that it is an intriguing animation. The images of a tree in this film make me think about some beautiful music video by Peter Gabriel.

I missed the Malaysian program.

As for the Singapore program, most of the films are plain narrative, and not much different from feature films. This fact also makes them not more interesting than feature films. However, “ONO! Or: Art for theexecutive” (2004, Frankie Ng Tze Wei) stands out. This film is also composed of many short stories. It isvery funny.

The Indonesia program have many interesting films. I think I can call Edwin, the director of “DajangSoembi, The Lady Who Was Married With A Dog”, an Indonesian “Guy Maddin”. “Unrescued World”, directedby Zeke Haris Gumelar, is hard to understand, but I like that. “The Standoff” (2004, Vanni Jamin) and“Chasing Terbit” (2004, Ivan Poetra) are narrative,but good ones.

Are you Alexis Tioseco who wrote some articles in Senses of Cinema? I sometimes contribute list of myfavorite films to Senses of Cinema. I can only contribute lists of favorite films, because I don’thave an ability to write any long or serious articles about films. I’m just a normal audience. I’m not a critic nor a filmmaker.

I used to write something in English a long time ago.If you are interested, you can read it at

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2005/04/alternative-goddesses.html

and at

http://www.imdb.com/user/ur0426898/comments

However, I stopped writing in English a few years ago.It is because some Thai movie webboards got popular a few years ago, so I turned to focus on posting my comments on these Thai webboards, and later I collect my comments from these webboards to post them again onmy blog.

I hope one day the films of Khavn de la Cruz will be shown in Bangkok.

It is very nice to know you."