“the torch” #6 - “Royston's Shorts” - A critical discussion Pt.2

With this week's column “The Torch” delivers the second part of its analytical review of short films by Singaporean director Royston Tan, begun last time. While the former took on “Jesses”, “Sons”, “Hock Hiap Leong”, “24 hrs”, “Mother” and “The Absentee” (and you can re-read it here), this one casts an in-depth look at “The Blind Trilogy”, “Careless Whisperer”, “New York Girl” and “Monkeylove” (and you get it here). After which inventory a first overall sum-up can rightfully be attempted, of what the guiding principles, the core structural ingredients of this evolving (but already quite distinct) directorial voice might be – and if you should have come to be interested in the DVD under discussion, do have a look at the latest addition to proto-ymagon's treasured “friendly links”, the AFA (i.e. the Asian Film Archive) from Singapore, on whose neat little webby you will find all the necessary information by visiting their shop, here.

(pic©mo)