At the end of daybreak

Malaysia 2009

Details  lovehkfilm

Seen 4 April 2010

Young lovers
Underaged girl, early twenties boy
Rich girl, middle income family
Poor boy, ordinary folks
Unlikely
But it happens

The physical trysts
The laughter and smiles
Missing each other

But when it comes to the crunch
Young minds are not ready
To face reality
Responsibility
As it takes two to tango
What can be done when you are alone
Left bereft, unsupported
To face the world, the powerful

Reasoning
Does not carry any weight
The mind just do not register
The gravity of the situation

Then all hell break loose

Prayers for Bobby

USA 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 7 March 2010




A mother's concern
Thinking that she is doing right
Leads to unhappiness
Despair

Guilt builds up
Whereas love is needed
Understanding
Compassion
Support

Until it is too late
Discovering that a little effort
Will and can
Make a difference

That starts the new resolve
Even though it is painful
Bewildering
Accepting an alien, strange notion
Different from your norm
Conviction and belief

It is love that anchors it all
It is love that will show the way
It is love that is needed

That child needs love

Syndromes and a century

aka Sang sattawat

Thailand 2006

Details imdb

Seen 8 February 2010






Are there differences
Between past and present
Between rural and urban
Between old and new

Man still go through life
Feeling
Moving
Caring

The background
Changes
The players
Similar

A discovery
A revelation

Leads to other avenues
Paths and roads
Gravitating, pulling
Enticing to an unknown

That has always been
Man's fate and destiny
Encountering anew
Facets of life
Unknown before
Familiar now

Mundane it may be
But that is reality
Everyone goes through
Again and again

Just a question of love

aka Juste une question d'amour

France 2000

Details  imdb

Seen 7 February 2010





Is there a right time and moment
To tell, inform and declare
That you love someone

Family and friends
May not understand
You yourself
Might not be ready

Circumstances
Takes its course

You are just thrown
Into the deep end

You struggle
To take a deep breath
You flounder
To surface again

That love of yours
Is strong
Despite the hurdles
Love will overcome
Love will surmount
The barriers
The prejudices

With love
Facing the world
Seems a lot easier

Muallaf

Malaysia 2007

Details  cinema

Seen 28 December 2009





Forgive and forget
Forgive and move on
Or
Do not forgive

Keep the anger aflame

Hate and remembrance
Scars
Physical
Emotional

Festering wounds
When will it heal
There must be a time
When push comes to shove

We must face the bogeyman

We must
We must

No two ways about it

Those in the past
Remain there
We are now in the present
And we live and breathe

Carry on
There is a future

2012

USA 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 30 November 2009




Wealth and power
The lethal combination
Will it guarantee
One's survival

Does the privileged few
Have the right
To pick and choose

Or should humanity
Be the deciding factor

Ethical conundrums

The bottom line

Mankind
Is made up of many parts

Each a cog
Plays its part
In the bigger picture

Opposite forces
Different wants
Must join forces

Control
Overcome

Adversity
What come may

With the ultimate aim
Survival

Karaoke

Malaysia 2009

Details  cinema

Seen 28 November 2009





A homecoming
Welcomed?

Not quite

Past events
Colour
The present

But blood is thicker than water

The past
Are memories

The present
Is reality

The years
Has changed
Many
People, places

Retain the past
Look forward
To a brighter future?

Only time will tell

Pisau Cukur

Malaysia 2009

Details  cinema

Seen 23 November 2009




Gold diggers, beware
However sharp
The instrument
It must always
Be remembered
Can cut both ways

Power struggles
Between the sexes
Between classes
The monied
The poor

Dreams of riches
May have been attained
But it may be gone
In a blink of an eye
If those riches
Depends on the vagaries
Of others

Decide
Take control

All efforts
Are not in vain

But might even
Bring more
Satisfaction

Just rewards

The Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land

Aka An lian tao hua yuan

Taiwan 1992

Details imdb

Seen 5 October 2009




Two stories of love, longing, separation

What might be
If all happened according to plan

But is life without the other any different
Is the other's presence really significant
Or do we just accept, adjust and carry on with life
Irregardless of the feelings

Those emotions
Felt strongly before
Still has a place in our hearts

Even now

A Jihad For Love

USA 2007

Details ajihadforlove

Seen 4 October 2009











Is love incompatible with your beliefs
Of course not

The belief in the compassionate, the all loving

The elders will always maintain
The book says the act is wrong
The act?

Elaborate
The love?

Surely that is permitted

The debate continues
The struggles, persecutions
Some escape, some meet a fate
Inhuman

There will always be those
Who wants to control whom you love
Who wants to dictate the ways of love
Why is that so

The lovers
That is their wish
To share with someone
That love

But nay
You must follow just one path
It has been decided for you
If you do not agree, it will be at your own peril

VJ Burma

Burma 2008

Details burmavjmovie

Seen 3 October 2009


Video DJ? Not

This is reality
Events not meant to be seen others
The all powerful big brother
Encompassing everything

Power
To be retained at whatever cost
Even against the grain of
The long held tradition
Of belief and respect
Gone

For those dedicated in the service of a higher calling
Enough is enough
There are always limits

But the guns always win
What can bare hands do
Against such onslaught

This is a long battle
With countless victims

Will it all be in vain

Persevere
You will come through

At Stake

Aka Pertaruhan

Indonesia 2008

Details indonesianfilmfestival


Seen 2 October 2009




Four stories
Women stories

The age old prejudices are still there
Misconceptions, ignorance
Unwillingness to accept facts
Perpetuating certain beliefs
Using tradition and religion, continuity
As excuses

Supposedly
Protecting
Keeping the women safe
That is the men's view

What of the women
When will they ever be treated as equals

Otoko wa tsurai yo

aka It's Tough Being A Man

Japan 1969

Details imdb

Seen 7 September 2009

Tora-San
The bumbling idiot
The court jester

Yes, he is irritating
Yes, he does put his foot in his mouth
Not once or occasionally
But often times

His character
His actions
Are not with malicious intent

But inadvertently
Plans go awry
Hearts are broken

He does realise
Those dear and
Close at heart

Will always be
Dear and
Close at heart

La vie de Jesus

France 1997

Details imdb

Seen 3 August 2009

Moments
Broken
In
Spurts

A small town
Idle, left alone
Residents
Restless, listless
In hot afternoons

To escape
To find solace
Friends
Companions
Loved ones
Are there for you

Those presumed
Not belonging
Are the enemies
Outsiders
Misunderstood

A small spark
Lit the fire
Blows
And then
Death

In the end
Contemplation
Is that too little
Too late

Iran 2007

Details sonypictures

Seen 31 July 2009

A lifetime
Of a country
Of a nation
At the crossroads
Through the eyes
Of a girl

Maybe her family background
With liberal minded
Strong willed
Parents
Helped shaped her
During her growing up years

Studying abroad
Through formative years
Opened her eyes
To so many things
But her heart is still
In her homeland

A home that has gone through
So many changes
And still in flux

She does return
Starting anew

Will she remain?

Events
Dictate otherwise

Offside

Iran 2006

Details imdb

Seen 31 July 2009

A football game
Seems simple
But when it is played in Iran
Passions are a flamed
Especially when a World Cup
Is close at hand

Irrespective of gender or creed
Young or old
They are all swept away
By the torrent of emotions

But women are not allowed into stadiums
How do you get in

Ingenuity

But you are caught
With others
Who had the same idea
The guards
Do not understand
At first

As the game progresses
There is a camaraderie
Thoughts, ambitions
Of the men, the girls
A common denominator

There maybe differences
There maybe arguments
There are rules to obey
There are orders to follow

But Iran wins
Then there is celebration

Gadoh

Malaysia 2009

Details komas

Seen 19 July 2009

All those thoughts
Out in the open
Once it was not meant
With any malicious intent

Now it will lead to fights
Just a brush of shoulders
Would bring forth
The urge to fight

Prejudices inbuilt, inborn, inherited
Perpetuated
We are human after all
Aren't we
The same desires
The same dreams

Change must come
And it must begin
From within
Ourselves

Himala

Philippines 1982

Details imdb

Seen 6 July 2009

Faith and miracles
Believe and trust
Hand in hand
Leading us to salvation

Elsa, the saviour
Is she really what she says she is
Did she see what she saw
Or is it all just an imagination

But people want to believe
They want that miracle to happen
Especially when there is no hope
A miracle does wonders

With the fame, scavengers throng
Picking up fruits of the labour
But once the miracle stops
Everyone turns the other way

But can miracles stop
Or is it a prelude
To a bigger miracle
A momentous event

Elsa, the girl, the woman
The abandoned child
The trusted friend
Who could not help
When we do need miracles

But as she says
The miracle is within
Ourselves

Kinsey

USA 2004

Details imdb

Seen 5 July 2009

Human sexual behaviour
A taboo subject for some
But a fascinating study
For Dr. Kinsey

Growing up with a strict father
Repressed feelings, high expectations
Might have been a factor
Leading him to study nature

His quest to find a link
To study sexual histories
Began with his own marriage

That first night set the wheels in motion
To help indirectly, to understand better
The sexual act between human beings
What is common and what is not

The report had no precedent
Scandalous, ground breaking

But for every voice against
There was someone
Who said thank you to Kinsey

He started a revolution
Of course with many
Minor and major faults
He had blazed a path
For others to continue
To learn more about ourselves

But he did acknowledge
He cannot measure love

Surviving Beijing

Malaysia 2000

Details soundscaperecords

Seen 4 July 2009

A musical journey
A search, a quest
A test, a challenge
Can they cut it
In the big bad world

They chose Beijing
The mecca for many
A one month sojourn
With much hope and anticipation

On the outskirts of the metropolis
An underground music haven
A community of like minded musicians
This is their destination
Here they will congregate
In the hopes of discovering, learning
Exchanging ideas

The early adjustments
Was just a prelude
To the first setback
Unprepared, a blow to the ego

Depressed, arguments, bad feelings
Outpourings of the heart
Until that sweet promise comes along

Yes, they managed to go through
That final concert
Before the journey home

But the journey revealed
The many shades of each band member
Differences, similarities, dreams
And those committed to the music
Will continue on another journey

Traitor

USA 2008

Details traitor-themovie

Seen 14 June 2009

Traitor, deceiver, collaborator
Words in the negative
And the person himself
What triggered his actions?

Something in the past
Shaped the present man
His decision, his actions
Hurtling into unknown territory

Sacrifices has to be made
The other party would say to soothe his doubts
But at what price, with the innocents victims
Does the end always justify the means

Or is this is just a never ending circle.

Victim

UK 1961

Details imdb

Seen 7 June 2009

A progressive film for its times. The first time that the word 'homosexual' was spoken on screen and the film was also banned in the USA.
This is a story of a prominent lawyer's efforts to uncover who blackmailed his gay lover and others in the gay community. In the 1960s the homosexual act was still a crime punishable by law and many in that group were blackmailed. Those inclined to do acts against nature kept their secrets close to their hearts and tried to live as normal a life as possible. But even getting married does not alter the fact that your feelings and love is stronger for someone of the same gender.
That was the lawyer's predicament until he realised that giving in to the blackmail would never end the persecution faced by the gay community. He decides to spare no effort in finding the culprit even though he himself would be exposed to charges of homosexuality himself and jeopardise his career and marriage.
Listen carefully to the dialogue and you'll be amply rewarded.

Call if you need me

Malaysia 2009

Details imdb

Seen 6 June 2009

The movie begins with the arrival of Or Kia to the big city, joining his cousin Ah Soon who is one of the smaller leaders in the debt collection racket. They seem so ordinary, with the usual longings for love and affection. Ah Soon himself has a steady relationship with a girl that he intends to marry and build a life together. As Or Kia learns the ropes of the trade, we see how the gang works, collecting the money from debtors and protecting their small family. There is no violence per se, but the feeling of danger lurking is always there, enhanced by the omnipresent dark atmosphere.
There came a stage when the bond between the cousins is tested as Ah Soon finds himself not in the good books of those higher in the hierarchy. The dilemma haunts Or Kia until he had a talk with the local leader. Then and only then, did he make the final decision. Was it the right decision?

All ny failed attempts

Malaysia 2008

Details dahuangpictures

Seen 6 June 2009

There are seven short films altogether in this collection. According to the director, Tan Chui Mui, these are the results of her determination to produce one short film monthly. She was not pleased with all of them and one in particular might have turned out differently if she had directed it in another way. She acknowledged that she prefers full control over all aspects of the filming process and in particular the casting. Usually she will start from a script that she has written before translating that idea into film.
The collection does run the gamut of styles and genres but at the heart of it all is the portrayal of relationships, the ebbs and flows and the dynamics between people in different circumstances. The only exception would be a short documentary related to food. According to the director, that was her first attempt at making a documentary, and to me it still looked presentable.
The director might be accused of using the same style in terms of cinematography and art direction, but as she explained, the main constraint of film making is the budget. A bigger budget would enable her to experiment with more new techniques using the latest available in the market. That is quite a formidable hurdle to conquer.
At present, my role would still be to give as much support as possible to these non-mainstream directors as they present a different perspective of life.

Sell Out!

Malaysia 2008

Details  amokfilms

Seen 22 May 2009

The opening scene itself is a hint of what the audience will get from the rest of the movie. If you like films like “Borat” or “Ali G” by Sacha Baron Cohen, or maybe the Monty Python series, this might be your cup of tea. A heaven sent, Malaysian version.

A well written script, based loosely on the powers of money, the pervasive and intrusive present day media, kept the whole film together. An impressive cast, glorious art direction and music score, makes this small film, big in my books.

Kudos to all involved.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

USA 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 3 May 2009

Another installment of the Marvel Comics superhero. This time we go back in time, to see for ourselves what made Logan tick. This is a tale of those born not ordinary, bestowed with extraordinary gifts, alas a gift that cannot be returned. As usual, a tale of good versus evil, the dividing line between humanity and his animal instinct, blood thicker than water or does love conquer all.

Despite the usual action per minute treatment from the director, the film does manage to highlight the other side of Wolverine. Those moments are illuminating, at least we know that he is not just brawn and brute strength.

Delightful.

Bohsia - Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam

Malaysia 2009

Details  malaysia.movies.yahoo

Seen 24 April 2009

Surprisingly good in all departments – story, acting and direction. Of course, the action sequences could not match anything that Hollywood does, or even touch any that Hongkong produces. But, for a Malaysian effort, with the usual budget constraints, it is a commendable effort. I was taken in by the fast pace, and well thought off editing. It helps a lot that no major dud scenes were there except maybe a few.
The film definitely gains from the two leading actresses who seem to live and breath the lives of 'bohsias', the Malaysian equivalent of the easy to get girls, just out for the fun. But underlying the seemingly disastrous lives, there is a social commentary on family values and relationships as well as our perceptions of these group of young adults. They are not there to be condemned, but they deserve more heartfelt attention to help them rise up and out of their current situation.
A must see local production.

Jangan Tegur

Malaysia 2009

Details  sinemamalaysia

Seen 17 April 2009

The title is a misnomer. Usually, the title would translate into “do not mention or say anything about something”, and in the Malay belief system, that particular “something” is most probably of another world. Whenever anyone mentions the “something”, bad karma will befall that person. In this movie that something is always present but there was no scene of any of the characters mentioning it or I may have missed it.

The main character is haunted by images of a woman, who died mysteriously. So throughout the film the audience is regaled with bumps in the night, shadows lurking or passing behind the actors, the stock and trade of the horror film genre. Nothing new, but if you go and watch the movie with the lowest of expectations, I guess you'll get your fair share of goose bumps, courtesy of the extra loud sound effects.

An added bonus, might be the pretty heroine. She still looked pretty in whatever situation she was in.

Talentime

Malaysia 2009

Details  malaysia movies

Seen 27 March 2009

What can one say about a director who tries to show the fabric of Malaysian society, warts and all in her previous films? She has pushed the envelope further with this story of love and devotion against the background of a school talentime. I was quite pleasantly surprised that the Malaysian Censorship Board did not ban the movie or cut certain scenes. Certain parts of the dialogue does touch a raw nerve for any Malaysian who hold their country and nation close to heart.

We Malaysians will always have that bogey man lurking, the race and religion issue, the two demons that have to be confronted upfront, not swept under the carpet as is the present norm. It will take a gargantuan effort for Malaysians to rise above the fray and make a success of this country despite the setbacks.

As usual, the director has managed to bring forth an effortless portrayal of the characters from the ensemble cast and special mention have to go to the new talents. The soundtrack and lyrics added another dimension to this poignant tale.

Stupendous.

Maut

Malaysia 2008

Details  cinema

Seen 16 January 2009

I try to bend backwards whenever I see a local production. In this case, I’m a bit disappointed. I expected more from the director, Bade, who has had quite a number of years of experience under his belt, behind the cameras.

The good things first, the camera work and art direction is commendable. The actors did their best but the overall direction itself falls short of what can be expected from an experienced director. Maybe the whole concept of death, life and its ramifications are just too deep a subject to be portrayed this way.

The heavy handedness of the hell fire and brimstone message of life after death, reminds me of the concerns some parents had when a school teacher showed to young schoolchildren a video clip of the gory scenes of after death.

The film leaves one with a dissatisfied after taste. It could have been so much better.

 

Anak

Malaysia 2008

Details malaysia movies yahoo

Seen 24 February 2008

In the mould of Japanese and Korean horror flicks, this Malaysian movie tries to localise the genre. The art direction, photography and main actors are competent. But the script needs that extra oomph to make it memorable. A commendable effort but I wish there were more depth to the story line or another twist to the ending.

Atonement

UK 2007

Details imdb

Seen 16 January 2008

This is a biased view of the movie. As I have not read the book yet, I fell hook, line and sinker from the word go. The whole movie titillates, stimulates and gave many lump in the throat moments. I've always been partial to glances and looks and this movie has them in abundance. The close-ups magnify the emotional turmoil underneath and I especially love that tremor and electricity when hands were barely touching each other.

A very compleat movie and I'm quite certain the author approves of this cinematic vision of his work as he is one of the producers. It was also a delightful treat to see Vanessa Redgrave on screen again.

Flower in the pocket

Malaysia 2007

Details dahuangpictures

Seen 12 January 2008

The child actors in this movie remind me so much of child actors in Iranian films. Natural. I guess a director cannot go wrong if they cast the right child in his movie.

The three main actors in the movie depict the normal life of children at school, home and play. The innocence of children playing and enjoying each others company seem such a wild dream compared to what man do when they reach adulthood.

There were also snippets of Malaysian life juxtaposed against the progress the nation has made in terms of material development. The family is still the core of society even if there are more single parents at the helm at present. They do try to give the best to their offspring. I guess in hopes that the children will have a better life in future.

In the meantime, the children should be allowed to be children, enjoying their childhood years without the prejudices of the adults colouring their experiences.

After the wedding

Denmark 2006

Poster imdb
Details aftertheweddingmovie

Seen 2 December 2007

Decisions have to be made and we are in a quandary. How do we solve this dilemma? In this film, the main character had to make a choice. On hindsight, his final decision is not so much surrendering his ideals, but a win-win situation albeit with lots of heartaches and emotional baggage in tow.

Good ensemble and believable script puts above a notch over similarly themed films.

Shanghai Dreams

China 2006

Poster and details seattlefilm

Seen 12 October 2007

My nominee for one of the ten best films I've seen in 2007. Simple story line but the script, acting and direction make this a very satisfying outing. The film is set in 1980s China. The main focus is on a family who has been relocated to the countryside as part of the country's strategy to build a third front against their enemies.

We have a domineering father who has dreams of going back to Shanghai. He keeps a close watch on his daughter ever since she became close to a local boy. Some might say an obsessive watch. These two characters alone is worth the admission ticket.

The inner turmoil of the family is delicately set against the backdrop of the changes happening in the world at large. The change in the political climate is also reflected in the small hamlet and the consequences felt by the inhabitants. This has the incidental side effect on the social climate as depicted by the group of youngsters who want to build their own version of China.

Another plus point is the inclusion of songs by Teresa Teng and Boney M to reflect the mood of the decade. But the silences were also deftly put at the right moments to convey the emotional state of the characters.

Me Myself

Thailand 2007

Poster and details movieseer

Seen 12 August 2007

A tear jerker especially towards the end. Memory lost, new encounters, memory regained, love lost? That is the dilemma facing the two main characters. The pace is a bit slow in some parts as the director takes his time building up the scenes to its emotional peaks. Lovely soundtrack helps a lot. In the end, all of us have a choice and have to make that important decision. In this instance, the girl needs to know that the man loves her. Once she was assured, she is certain that together they will be able to manage any obstacles that come along the way.

Loved the teary scenes.

Perng Mang

Thailand 2007

Poster and details sensasian

Seen 12 August 2007

Can a ghost from the past fall in love with a boy from the present? Yes, they can in this film. She is the spirit of the Thai musical instrument, perng mang while he is the destined player. We'll see how she saves him from many close encounters with the bad guys and how he in the end has to let her go to find her peace in the next world.

What is intriguing and a recurring theme is the sacrifices each of them made. She made hers when she was a young adolescent whereas he devoted himself to her the moment he set eyes on her. Sacrifices aplenty, a high price paid and a happy ending?

Maybe in the next life.

Little Children

USA 2006

Poster and details newline

Seen 29 July 2007

A clandestine love affair between a couple who are already married to others. They might have problems in their marriages and their secret relationship seems a good antidote. But it takes more than physical and emotional attraction to each other to maintain a healthy and long lasting relationship. At a certain point, they were deluded into thinking that what they have can be built into something permanent but life is much more complicated. Interspersed with the couple's story, we are also presented with a story on a sexual pervert and a man who is determined to be the protector of the innocents in the town. Unfortunately, no one is totally guiltless. Everyone has erred along the way and we should take everything into consideration when passing judgement on others.

Ratatouille

USA 2007

Poster and details imdb

Seen 29 July 2007

A rat who knows how to cook. A kitchen helper who is thrown into the cut throat world of fine dining in Paris. Friendship, loyalty and love are added spices. The pace is hectic. We get villains and distractors. But of course there is a happy ending but not before the hero has surmounted countless obstacles. Joyful ride.

Belle tojour

Portugal/France 2006

Poster and details rottentomatoes

Seen 28 July 2007

This is a tribute to Belle de jour. The film takes us to the present day when the friend of the family encounters the wife. She is a widow now and does not want to be reminded of the past. The friend tries very hard to meet her again and promises to tell her what happened during that fateful day fifty odd years ago. She finally relents but does the friend keep his promise?

Belle de jour

France 1967

Poster and details imdb

Seen 28 July 2007

Catherine Deneuve as a housewife who has what seems a perfect life but needs that something extra to love her husband. She becomes a part time lady of the night which leads to a tragic episode involving her husband. The psychological drama unfolds layer by layer to reveal a woman's unspoken desires for something out of the ordinary to spice up her love life. The price paid is very high indeed but the woman seems contented at last living the life of a loving wife.

Andalusian Dog

Country France 1929

Poster and details imdb

Seen 28 July 2007

The French title is "Un chien andalou". A short film in black and white by Luis Bunuel. This film was made in the same era as the Charlie Chaplin movies. We get exaggerated expressions from the actors. Salvador Dali lent a hand in the film's making and there are glimpses of the limp watch paintings. The film itself revolves around the love affections of a girl with many admirers. There are hints of sado masochism tendencies in some scenes. Maybe love does bring out surprises.

Scoop

USA 2006

Poster and details imdb

Seen 28 July 2007

A Woody Allen film, so expect a lot of ramblings, lightning speed monologues and quirky wit and humour. Don't forget the pretty heroine and macho male lead. In this outing, the ghost of a recently departed journalist has to use a visiting student to London as the instrument towards the scoop. We get the scoop at the end with a journey that meanders through a homage of the detective genre of the 1930s films.
As always, the cast seems to geld beautifully under the experienced direction of Woody Allen.

The Edge of Heaven

Turkey 2007

Poster and details bangkokfilm

Seen 27 July 2007

An exploration of love between parents and their children, as well as love which comes unexpectedly. There are deaths which trigger deep seated emotions. The director manages to intersperse the events seamlessly. Of course the deaths had a deep impact on those affected. At first, there was anger and later acceptance that there is a reason behind the tragedy. The events bring those involved closer to the edge of heaven.

Bangkok Time

Thailand 2007

Poster and details bangkokfilm

Seen 27 July 2007

Glimpses of the underbelly occupants of Bangkok. A male prostitute, a nurse who works on the graveyard shift and a struggling street peddler. We get snippets of their lives but no happy endings. Images, snatches of dialogue - that's what the audience see and hear. It might be the influence of MTV but there seems to be a lot of films using similar tactics in conveying their message. There are advantages as well as disadvantages in using this technique. It might not appeal to everyone.

Pingpong

Germany 2006

Poster and details bangkokfilm

Seen 27 July 2007

Psychological thriller. What does anyone do with a nephew who comes visiting during the holidays after his father's death? Mix in a physically attractive aunt, an uncle who is most often away on business trips and a cousin who is training for the auditions into the local symphony orchestra. The nephew is the focal point in this story. His emotional state after his father's death is not exactly on an even keel. There is an underlying anger or dissatisfaction over what happened. He finds solace in the aunt who does not treat her own son the same way. One day, the nephew and aunt went into dangerous territory and the incident was seen by the son. That started the emotional roller coaster journey for the four main characters. Some things are just not meant to be.

Spider Lilies

Taiwan 2007

Poster and details hkcinemagic

Seen 26 July 2007

Spider lilies as a tattoo on a girl's arms and she herself is a tattooist sought after by her clientele for her expertise in the art. We also have a webcam girl who has links with the tattooist. Guilt and regrets are the main themes of the story. The flashbacks give the background to the story that unfolds. Along the way, we see love for family and lover going through its ups and downs. The happy moments seem so few compared to the prevalent heartaches. So many misunderstandings occur that jeopardise the relationship between the two main characters. Engrossing subject matter and well done. Not too sentimental.

Berbagi suami

Indonesia 2006

Poster and details kalyanashira

Seen 26 July 2007

Three stories of women who have to share their love with other women for the same. The first dealt with a doctor who is married to a successful businessman and aspiring politician. She knows he has eyes for other women and rumours have always been circulating that the husband has taken a second wife. The truth came out unexpectedly at an official business function. From that moment, she accepts her fate and was not surprised that another woman comes along into her husband's life about ten years later. Her son does not agree with his mother's acceptance of her status in life and things came to a head when the husband had a stroke. We see how the three wives cope.
The second story revolves around a village girl who comes to Jakarta to further her studies. She puts up at a relative's house who already has two wives with a number of children cramped into a two bedroom house. She marries the relative despite her misgivings and plods on being the dutiful wife and help in the expanded household. Lucky for her, she did find a kind of love from an unexpected quarter.
The final story focused on an attractive waitress in a famous duck rice restaurant. She had all the male customers eating out of her hands willingly but her boss was the one who finally managed to wed her. Unfortunately, being Catholics, this arrangement had to be kept a secret until an opportune time came to tell the first wife.
The three stories do not delve too deep into the problems of polygamy as it is a complicated issue. There is no one single solution that applies to every case. But at least in these stories, the women seem to have had the upper hand. There were also no physical abuse depicted. That would take another film.

Dreams

Iraq 2005

Poster and details bangkokfilm

Seen 26 July 2007

A commendable effort from Iraq even though tighter editing might enhance the impact. The film makers were trying to depict the atrocities of the war and its consequences on ordinary citizens. The main characters are shown in a mental asylum during the bombing of Baghdad just a few days before Saddam's fall. We're then taken a few years back to see what ordinary lives they lead before their fall from grace. A man who has been sent to the frontline but condemned to a life sentence in the mental hospital on charges of deserting the army. A girl who was on the verge of marrying her childhood sweetheart but was denied that happiness when the groom was taken away by pro Saddam men on her wedding day. These two went through hell trying to maintain their sanity and had to endure further travails during the free for all days before the Americans took control of the city. It seems the filming itself met some mishaps. A woman involved in the filming was kidnapped and one of the actors passed away after the shoot. But one thing is certain, Iraq is still in the throes of mayhem and whoever is stronger wins the day.

Beaufort

Israel 2007

Poster and details imdb

Seen 26 July 2007

An Israeli film which highlights the last days of an army team at Beaufort, a historical outpost in southern Lebanon. The outpost was secured by the Israelis earlier during their incursion into Lebanon. The location is very strategic as it is on a mountain top. The site has seen many battles since time immemorial. The fact that the Israelis gained a foothold there was a triumph for the nation but eventually they had to leave as peace negotiations were ongoing. But before they leave the army planned to destroy the outpost leaving no trace of human existence there.

The film focuses on the commander of the outpost and his team. The emotional struggles during the last few days are heightened as attacks continued from the Hizbullah. Political decisions had to be obeyed and sometimes the wait is more torturous than the actual fighting. Unnecessary deaths occur and the blame game is openly debated.

A quote from one of the fathers who lost his son at the outpost might summarise the feelings of a grieving parent. He said he failed in bringing up his son properly or else the son would still be alive. He does not blame the military or the politicians but himself. His son did not learn adequately the lessons of fear.