Okinawa shorts

Japan 2007

Details bangkokfilm

Photo yidff

Seen 25 July 2007

Short films using clay animation from a group of Okinawans who want to depict their point of view of universal themes of love and hate. Most of the shorts have an underlying message of love – for humanity and the world we live in. There were quite a few with themes of beings from outer space making a visit to Earth. Maybe the film makers were looking for outside help as mankind has failed miserably in taking care of this place we call home. So far, this is the only place we can call home and at the rate we are destroying the fragile ecosystem, we might have to move on to a new address.

Shorts but long in meaning.

Kala

Indonesia 2007

Poster and details bangkokfilm

Seen 25 July 2007

A thriller of good versus evil with help from mystical forces. The three main characters lead quite different lives. A policeman, a reporter and a singer. But their lives are linked to each other as it is their fate to meet up one day. They encounter evil forces along the way who are trying their best to get a hidden treasure. There is an ominous feeling that those in power are hell bent in getting their way irrespective of the cost it takes. Nevertheless, there is a curse on the hidden treasure and many die along the way. There is also a hint of abnormal sexual orientation of one of the leading characters. But at least the sexual orientation of the character does not prevent him being a leader in the eternal battle against evil.

I just wished things were as simple, but the no- gooders seem to be winning in the real world at the moment.

Chalanggai (Dancing Bells)

Malaysia 2007

Poster and details chalanggai

Seen 25 July 2007

Simple premise. Girl wants to attend dance class and needs the money for this passion. The dancing bells, chalanggai,.makes its presence felt throughout the film. But girl has problems. Not well to do family, father deserting family, mother trying hard to make ends meet selling flowers, brother not that well off either, just helping at the neighbourhood car wash. The brother himself, has ambitions to better himself, saving some money to buy a motorcycle. But their daily lives seem to be on a downward spiral when the brother was involved in an accident and has to find other means to pay off the damages. Father comes onto the scene, bloodied. An occupational hazard. There is a bit of hope a few scenes later when brother realises he has to make a concerted effort to change his family's life. This turnaround came only after his best friend died.

A bare bones story but I guess it is reality.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

UK 2007

Poster and details imdb

Seen 21 July 2007

I was confused a bit at the beginning since I have not followed the Harry Potter series diligently from the start. But as always, the gist of the film is the eternal struggle between good and evil. Throw in deceptions, misguided authority and a recurring theme of Harry Potter's past, we get an adequately enjoyable tale of courage and heroism despite the odds stacked against the hero. The special effects does convey the magical world of wizards to the audience. I did not get the gasping breath experience that I expected.

Love and honor

Bushi no ichibun (in Japanese)

Japan 2006

Poster and details moviexclusive

Seen 17 June 2007

This story is set during the samurai era in Japan. The hero, Mimura, a samurai in the employ of the local lord is also a food taster for his boss. Unfortunately, he became blind after eating a poisoned shell fish. We see how his wife, Kayo, tries to cope with the situation to the extent of sacrificing herself in the name of love. At the end, when Mimura knows the truth, his code of honor emboldens him to take his revenge.

I'm not sure whether the principles of love and honor is still applicable in the present times. We have become too preoccupied with the self that the ideals of days gone by seem so quaint and irrelevant.

Only time will tell whether love and honor prevail as worthwhile concepts in the future.

Ploy

Thailand 2007

Poster and details wikipedia

Seen 16 June 2007

The word ploy can be a play on words in English but in Thai it is just a name. The girl of the film's title, Ploy is the catalyst or trigger to events in a relationship that has lost its lustre. As a contrast, the director also shows the intimately sexual, lascivious love making between a chambermaid and a bartender. There is a happy ending but the journey towards that end met a lot of obstacles. Determination and a realisation that what we already have is worth fighting for seems to be the message.