First Toronto-Singapore Short Film Festival: My Impressions

The First Toronto-Singapore Short Film Festival was a success. The organisers did a good job. Considering that this is the beginning of a week-long break at the University of Toronto, and the fact that temperature was minus 10 celcius (without windchill), the turnout out was excellent. I estimate probably more than a hundred but below two hundred, with a good proportion of non-Singaporeans as well as Singaporeans.

The only real glitch--and it turned out to be such a pity--was that the DVD for the last and longest film, Singapore Gaga by Pin Pin Tan was damaged and we only got to see about 1/5 of the whole thing. The organisers were saving the best for the last; but with that unforseen turn of events, the Fest ended with Singapore Rebel as the last number instead. The other regret is that I wasn't able to take many photos because of the lighting condition. Still, a couple of shots of the reception held during the intermission turned out decent. One of the organisers, Mr. Chia Yeow Tong, can be seen on the photo to the right (furthest guy on the right facing front)

 

As for the films themselves, I won't include the synopses here since they are all available on the Film Fest's site, and in most cases, the films have their own sites as well. Rather, I'll restrict myself to making a few brief comments about my own impression of the films, not all of which will make complete sense if you have not seen the films.

The first film is Cafe by Kelvin Sng, and a world premiere, no less! (Actually, I thought the "world premiere" took place in my living room when Yeow Tong showed Elaine and I the film; but I guess that didn't count.) The trick to seeing the irony is to actively compare and contrast how Yutaka understands or thinks he understand what is going on at the other tables in the cafe. For me, the strongest performance and most moving moments are from the exchange between Gabriel (Felimon Blanco) and Sophia (Gae Mendoza), two Filipinos working in Singapore while hoping to move on to greater things. In all, my favorite among all of the films shown.

The next film Parcel by Lu Lu Yang is somewhat more bleak, and without the redeeming irony of Cafe, or much of closure as well. In one word, depressing. And after a while, that very cliche piano music that introduces every moody SBC/TCS scene can really become a turn off. Otherwise, a good attempt.

Strings by Jon Lim is actually very gripping. In fact, it is the most gripping of all of the films shown; though being a horror flick ("in the same vein as The Ring and The Grudge" as the Film Fest's site puts it) helps in that department. Supposed to be inspired by true events. I have to admit that it really did keep me at the edge of the seat.

As the organisers later remarked, More Than Words by Kelvin Sng is meant to be modelled after the 70s style productions of the Shaw Brothers. In other words, what you see is what you get: you can more or less predict what will eventually happen to each character. But there is one small twist that, in a way, deviates elegantly from the surface simplicity. At one point in the story, Hao Nan tells his beau Yu Tong that he is not who he seems to be (i.e., beneath that shuai'ge exterior is a ruthless gangster; though, of course, beneath that is a heart of gold). But as the story works itself out, it was Yu Tong who was not who she seemed (to Hao Nan) to be--though, innocent girl that she is, this fact completely eludes her, leading to the ensuring tragedy. After Cafe, this one is a close second for me.

Past Tense by Mirabelle Ang is meant to be a documentary, though as is suitable in these sorts of settings, much more artistic than the ones one might expect from Discovery Channel. As the Film Fest's site puts it, it is "introspective and visually stunning"--and I agree; but the semi-philosophical ruminations and "raising questions of cultural identity" just doesn't do it for me (as is usually the case). In my opinion, it's too heavy-handed in that department, and that detracts a little from the otherwise excellent visuals.

Singapore Rebel by Martyn See should need no introduction. Furthermore, the earlier reviews by Convex Set, Police State and Chemical Generation are all good in their own ways and I do not have much to add to them. But I will make this tentative comment--the fact that after Strings, this turns out to be the most engaging of the lot testifies both to the abilities of Martyn See, but also to the fact that there is still a lot that can be improved with respect to the other films. (As the organisers point out during the Q/A, many of the films were made by budding artists; this makes their achievements all the more impressive.)

But perhaps I spoke too soon. After all, Singapore Gaga by Pin Pin Tan was supposed to be the best, which was why it was saved for the last. And the first 1/5 that we did manage to see was impressive. Maybe I'll find a way to watch the whole thing.

On a different note, Elaine and I are just glad that Penelope was well behaved. She actually sat through most of the films. Actually, she was such a charmer during the reception that she was practically passed from one auntie or uncle to another as several people asked to carry her (though, upon the protests of some, I referred to them as kor kor and che che's instead).

All in all, a good event.