Thursday, May 24, 2007 3:27PM /
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I always love and am constantly facinated by the idea of Polaroids. You stop time with a quick snap (I love the sound that a Polaroid camera makes,) but for the next few minutes, the past, present and future all blend into one, as you eagerly wait in the present time, for the past to slowly develop in front of your eyes, and you anticipate what the polaroid picture will end up looking like.
In 1977, the Russian director Tarkovsky took a Polaroid camera to Italy during a trip, and took a bunch of pictures. A book is recently published which contains the Polaroids he took in Russia and Italy and some of his writings. I love this note he wrote:
"Une image -
c'est une impression de la Vérité,
que le Seigneur
nous a permis d'entrevoir
de nos yeux aveugles."
Sorry the book I have is in French, but I think it roughly translates as:
An image -
it's an impression of the Truth
that God has permitted us to catch a glimpse of
with our blinded eyes.
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Monday, May 21, 2007 7:23PM /
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Went to see Rossellini's "Germany Year Zero" at the NFT this past weekend. They're doing a retrospective on him, showing almost all his work on film print (!!) I'm so excited, since I've only, sadly, seen two of his films on DVDs. Saw "Rome Open City" during my early film school days, and it completely opened my eyes to a different kind of filmmaking. I have utmost respect for this Italian maestro who invented "neo-realism" back in the 40s, taking advantage of the existing ruins on the street, and created brilliant art out of nothing (I can easily say that his films are far better than any of these multi-gazillion budget films these days!)
There is nothing more satisfying than watching films being projected in a theater (esp. old films with scratches and dust... it's like listening to an old record!) It's so inspirational to see some great old films which remind me why I love *cinema* in the first place... not for the red carpet or the stars or the camera flashes, just plain love for "the light passing through the celluloid." Especially since fundraising for film projects can be a very depressing process, and every time when I become super frustrated (which happens quite often... had enough of telling people that my films don't have any kungfu kicks, or my characters aren't gangsters, or no, the corridors aren't "haunted" with revengeful ghosts (even though I love these genres too)......) I have to go see a good film in the cinema, or pull out an old DVD to watch. I need to renew my passion in cinema, because nowadays the film industry, the "biz", is at such a depressing state. Half of the people I talk to probably feel indifferent about an amazing shot or a great cut, because they worry too much about the "BO", the box office, to even notice the magic of cinema. The other half can't be bothered to take risk to invest in something that hasn't been shown/proved, so they'd rather do "Grudge" the 10th sequel than to do something new. And pretty much most or all of them would rather screen the big budget Hollywood films in their theater than to support local talents' low-budget films, because for sure people would go see Tom Cruise than some John Wong acting his heart out on screen...
Sorry about the rant (how did I get started?) I actually just meant to tell y'all how great "Germany Year Zero" was... and for sure I'll be going to see more Rossellini this week... Looking forward to "Paisa" and his Ingrid Bergman stuff... So Blighty folks, you might want to check it out too. Also been listening to the new Andrew Bird practically on repeat (esp. when I'm writing,) it's not as great as his other album "Bowls of Fire" but it's still mesmerizing and I can't seem to stop listening... am also getting very excited that The White Stripes' new album is coming out of the 4th!
Hope everyone is swell... taking a moment out to enjoy the signs of Spring...
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Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:20PM /
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Gotta take a break from the painful writing process...
Since Cannes just opened yesterday with Wong Kar-Wai's new film "My Blueberry Nights," thought I'd share with you the trailer:
http://www.commeaucinema.com/bandes-annonces=73057.html
I haven't seen the film obviously, but judging from the trailer alone, I'm not sure if his style translates well to an English language film... Language aside, does it look like a mash-it-up between Chungking Express + Fallen Angel? Or maybe it's just me...
Now I'm curious, guess I have to wait till it comes out on big screen...
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007 3:27AM /
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This might only be for the Brits (or maybe all the ex-coloniel countries can speak out too?)
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/climate_bill/index.html
Hope you join the fight, and spread the word, people.
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Monday, May 14, 2007 8:25PM /
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So both Patrick and Mark just wrote me "please update your blog!!" You just don't say "no" to Patrick and Mark... so here I am... =)
I'm bummed that I wasn't there in person to support the bands and my friends at "Let's Fight!" But I was thinking about them this whole weekend, so it's the spirit that counts! And it's exactly this kind of spirit – a community / family which allows us to support each other, an "us" instead of "me" attitude – that we need to guard, cherish and continue. Because the "them" out there – the monopolization, the $$, the fame and glory, the things that distract us from focusing on just making "good work" – is too great if we were to fight individually alone. And as we continue to fight for (and with) this spirit, I have no doubt that this family will grow, and a new creative wave will come, in HK! One of my favorite mottos is, "we're all in it together." (And the other one is, "never give up, never surrender!" Mark, this one is for you!) (I suddenly have the urge to listen to Pink Floyd's "Us and Them"...)
So a BIG congrats to all the bands and Paul Wong! And actually while I'm at this, another one to my good friend Lucia! As I was just told that her first feature "XXY" has been selected for the Critics' Week at Cannes!! It's the scrīpt she was working on while we were at the residency. I'm so proud of her! So for those who will be at Cannes this year, please support and go check out her film!
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March 20, 2008
March 20, 2008
March 20, 2008
