Archived entries for Film
The Story of Lilly Chou-Chou (Riri Shushu no subete)
It’s a pretty peculiar movie to begin with. It is beautifully shot but the story is sometimes drifting in the “ether”. The story of a group of high school kids growing up absurd in Japan’s pervasive pop/cyber culture, for them life sucks. They seek “salvation” through pop star savior Lily Chou-Chou, embracing her sad, dreamy songs and sharing their fears and secrets in Lilyholic chat rooms, while tackling school bullies, teen gangs, parents, school etc. Seems that they are perpetually trapped in everyday troubles, their lives inevitably intertwined between real and virtual identities, and then a final logging-off from innocence. This is a movie that requires patience to watch and a heart to understand the weird society of the Japanese culture. This is filmed with an eye for light and colur and an exquisite soundtrack.
Directed by Shunji Iwai.
Tropical Malady (Sud Pralad)
A film that has enjoyed numerous international prizes and accolades, I enjoy the raw-ness of the Thai countryside but the story is a little bewildering when a nearly wordless second half places its protagonists within a Thai legend about a soldier’s encounter with a mysterious man-turned-tiger who stalks his forest. Shifting gears from the quotidian to the mythical, perhaps *Tropical Malady* encourages a cinema of the entire senses? Perhaps the Thai title *Sud Pralad* which means strange animal would make more sense?
Prix du Jury, Cannes Film Festival 2004
Starring: Sakda Kaewbuadee and Banlop Lomnoi
Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Tak Giu
Funny little Singaporean indie film about 3 soccer-crazed guys with a ball and no place to play. The story explores the issues of soccer amenities, and the attitudes of Singaporeans towards local and foreign soccer. You can download the movie from the offical site and support them by getting a t-shirt or two.
Cast: Daison Png, Stanley Huang, Jacen Tan, Lee Whye Leong, Mohd Suhaimi
Produced by Hosaywood (basically a one-man project – Jacen Tan)