“the torch” #16 – sex sells

A catchy title, an adequate build-up and some action-packed finale, we know the outcome. Do we get enough of that? Is there not something amiss in our celluloid landscape when we think of some of the very best things in life especially? “The Torch” for one is outspoken in making the call for more good quality sex scenes in contemporary cinema to make it to the theatres, to give us not just a more complete assortment of entertaining features, but also for film to be more wholly representative about our lives' crucial battle grounds.
This one is for anybody who consider themselves to be somehow professional in the matter, and you'll find it right: here.

(pic©mo)

quote of the week

“...and all is right in the jungle.”
(Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Quentin Tarantino (2004))

IMDb's list of best Royston Tan films to date*

1. Cut (8.6/10 by 29 votes (2005))
2. Sons (8.2/10 by 16 votes (1999))
3. 881 (7.5/10 by 42 votes (2007))
4. Mother (7.1/10 by 12 votes (2001))
5. 4:30 (6.9/10 by 138 votes (2005))
6. '15' (6.7/10 by 127 votes (2002))
7. 15: The Movie (6.3/10 by 281 votes (2003))
8. 24 Hours (6.3/10 by 10 votes (2002))
9. Hock hiap leong (5.9/10 by 43 votes (2001))
10. Monkeylove (4.1/10 by 10 votes (2005))
    

* all data compiled from and courtesy of IMDb.com

quote of the week

“We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction.”
(Douglas MacArthur)

“the torch” #15 – 'Mixation' – The true Singapore flavour

What is Singaporean about Singapore (apart from the girls)? Sinema’s column “The Torch” addresses this question as from a cosmopolitan perspective. Eastern or Western, whatever your angle, any 21^st century creative industry professional has to be in addition to everything else a designer, drawing heavily on what our modern day life-style has in store and on permanent display in terms of visual communication, so it goes. There is of course the easy way of simple fusion that is rather ignorant of the things it lumps together to make it look nice and calm on the surface of appearance; and not just in S'pore, it has to be added. But a deeper penetration of the world that is all around us, not just in the medium of film, could actually yield so much more...
Get into the mix, here, and explore your way through the jungle; on making it home safely, share your thoughts and insights on the matter, what is your view?

(pic©mo)

quote of the week

“What's the point in doomed men fighting?”
(Otoko-tachi no Yamato, Sato Junya (2005))

“the torch” #14 – Playing your film?

This week's column takes a look at a possible (advisable?) cross-over between the two distinct realms of film and computer games. In our technology driven entertainment landscape there is a new call of duty that aspiring and audacious filmmakers would have to answer, producers and investors first among them, namely to explore new and original ways in which to reconcile each craft's rightful claim to consumer attention. The point is being made that indeed there is a connection already there, which is in the principal objective to interpret the real in certain ways, the inherent drive to re-late the viewer/gamer by letting them make/follow playful improvisations which remain firmly grounded in their grip on the known world – no matter the level of fantasy abstraction. Here you can explore for yourself how the challenge to sustain interest in high quality productions may necessitate to overcome your safe entrenchment of long standing and evolve the standard lines of approach to your art.

(pic©mo)

quote of the week

“You see, in the heart of any faith is a history that teaches us not to trust –”
(Michael Ondaatje, Anil's Ghost (2000))

HU-Japanologie: Screenings in September

While the Japan Film-AG continues snug in its semester break for another whole month (sigh!), the Arsenal will resume screenings of Japanese cine-treasures by providing us with a rare opportunity to catch “Robinson no niwa/Robinson's Garden” (1987) by Yamamoto Masashi (and a visitation out of the vast Berlinale Archives btw, of the Forum section from 20 years past!). Details here.

(pic©hu-berlin.de)