SATURDAY 14 MARCH : China Indie Doc Focus
China is rising into world power and is developing at an
unprecedented pace in a bid to catch up with the rest of the
developed nations. The giant People's Republic of China is
changing, from closed-door communism to an open embrace of economic
capitalism. Teething problems abound and the disharmonious
undercurrents of social change on the ground are hardly the topics
of choice to be put up for discussion by the ruling
government.
Let these indie docs shed some light and show what the man on the
street in China is facing as national development intrudes into
their lives.
Curated by Paul Pickowicz.
SESSION 1
1:30pm to 3:30pm / The Substation Theatre / 122 mins total / $7
& $5 (conc.)
1) Who Killed Our Children? / China / 2008 / 92 mins / Pan
Jianlin & Zhang Lei / NC16 (Some Coarse
Language)
The 2008 Sichuan earthquake was one of the deadliest earthquakes
China has ever experienced. Measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale, the
earthquake caused massive devastation in the rural communities and
toppled mostly school buildings. A terrible body count thought to
be caused by the natural disaster turned out to be largely
influenced by man-made factors. "Who Killed Our Children" brings us
into the epicentre of the Muyu District in Qingchuan County, the
site of one of the disaster's biggest tragedies, to look at the
details of the collapse of the Muyu Middle School dormitory.
Screenings and Awards:
- Pusan International Film Festival (South Korea, 2008)
- Beijing International Film Festival (China, 2008)
SESSION 2
4pm to 6:30pm / The Substation Theatre / 138 mins total / $7 &
$5 (conc.)
1) Care and Love / China / 2008 / 108 mins / Ai Xiaoming /
PG (some disturbing scenes)
Care and Love draws its inspiration from 'Investigation of AIDS in
Xingtai', an article by Wang Keqin, senior China Economic Times
journalist. The documentary tells the story of Liu Xianhong, a
villager who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion during
childbirth, and how she publicized her story, filed a lawsuit with
her 8-year-old son against the hospital, and eventually received
compensation. The bitter experiences of several families, and the
collective effort by people living with HIV to defend their rights,
resulted in the 'Care Group'.
Screenings and Awards:
- 5th Verzio International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival
(Hungary, 2008)
SESSION 3
7:15pm to 9:45pm / The Substation Theatre/ 144 mins total / $7
& $5 (conc.)
1)Readymade / China / 2008 / 81 mins / Zhang Bingjian /
Chinese with English subtitles / PG
Mao Zedong, the major founder and leader of the People's Republic
and Communist Party of China, died 32 years ago. This is a
documentary about two ordinary individuals who have a physical
likeness to Mao and choose to be his impersonators. As a result,
their life and destiny have changed ever since…
The first individual is a farmer named Peng Tian who came from the
same hometown as Mao Zedong. His dream is to impersonate Mao on the
big screen. Wearing Mao's suit, he decides to study acting in
Beijing Film Academy with the support of his family…
The second individual is a housewife, Chen Yan, who was born in
Mian Yang of Sichuan Province. Twenty years ago, her mother
discovered her similarity. Being a woman, it was considered a taboo
to play Mao who was viewed as a God in the past. But would she be
happy if she gave it a try in this new millennium?
2) Starkers, the Naked Life of Qin Yongjian / China / 2007
/ 33 mins / Gu Tao / R21 (Nudity)
Qin Yongjian's dream is to one day be an actor. However, he has yet
to make any inroads in the industry. Instead, he works as a male
nude model in Beijing. A man obsessed with the body, Yongjian
spends his days being painted and photographed. In this way he is
able to not only perform, but receive the attention he craves. But
being a male nude model in traditional China is not an easy task.
Fang Min, a female nude model and friend, helps to steer Yongjian
out of trouble. As Yongjian's behaviour becomes more excessive,
those around him begin to wonder whether he has lost his
mind.
Screenings and Awards:
- Southern Appalachian International Film Festival (USA,
2008)
Starkers, the Naked Life of Qin Yongjian - Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdXZC_-J68U
SUNDAY 15 MARCH : Underneath the Radar
Underneath the Radar (UTR) presents a collection of hope, dreams
and observations of our globalized reality. This segment curated
for the Singapore Indie Doc Fest, trains its eye on the process of
our interconnected world. The documentaries range from micro to
macro phenomenon; the factory worker, the strawberry exporter, a
community seeking clean water and the promise of a global
healthcare system. Their tales unravel in 7 well-traveled
documentaries set to make their debut here, together with a
selection of local shorts.
SESSION 1
11:30am to 1pm / The Substation Theatre / 86 mins total / $7 &
$5 (conc.)
With a pre-show screening of Reel Rev shorts
1) China Blue / USA & China / 2005 / 86 mins / Micha
Peled
A poignant journey inside a blue-jeans factory, where the working
conditions that Jasmine and her teenage friends must endure are
harsh beyond imagination. They are also unlawful by international
standards, and tensions in the factory are running high. So when
the factory owner strikes a deal with a Western client and demands
around-the-clock production to meet the deadline, a confrontation
becomes inevitable. Shot clandestinely in China under difficult
conditions, this is a deep-access account of what both China and
the international retail companies don’t want us to see — how the
clothes we buy are actually made.
Screenings and Awards:
- International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (The Netherlands,
2005 Amnesty Human Rights Award)
- Toronto International Film Festival (Canada, 2005 - Official
Selection)
- San Francisco International Asiam American Film Festival (USA,
2006)
China Blue - Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0yfNOkBClI&feature=PlayList&p=7CC8561AFABB77F7&playnext=1&index=13
SESSION 2
2:30pm to 3:30pm / The Substation Theatre / 60 mins total / $7
& $5 (conc.)
With a pre-show screening of Reel Rev shorts
1) Strawberry Fields / Israel / 2004 / 60 mins / Ayelet
Heller
A story about hope, frustration, occupation, globalisation and
politics, and at its centre is a small red fruit. The film trains
the camera on the strawberries and those who are charged with
nurturing the seedlings in the Gaza Strip until they go through
Israel, en route to their destination in European markets. In this
fateful year in Gaza, the film crew documented the agricultural
cycle of the fruit as well as the political events that directly
affected the lives of the farmers who cultivate it. From the
strawberry fields of Beit Lahiya, we witness the Disengagement, the
withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and its re-entry after two months;
the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections and the closure that
followed.
Screenings and Awards:
- Rehovot Women's Film Festival (Israel, 2006)
- Hot Docs Film Festival (Canada, 2007)
- Edinburgh International Film Festival (UK, 2007)
SESSION 3
5pm to 6:30pm / The Substation Theatre / 60 mins total / $7 &
$5 (conc.)
With a pre-show screening of Reel Rev shorts
1) 1000 Days and a Dream / India / 2006 / 77 mins / P.
Baburaj & C. Saratchandran / PG
After opening to great acclaim for bringing jobs and development to
rural Kerala, local community members began to see a darker side of
the neighboring Coca-Cola bottling plant as their water supply
began to show signs of contamination and depletion. Despite
ridicule and dismissive attitudes, local citizens fought to bring
their message to the outside world as they went up against
politicians, state police and corporations to protect their lands
and children from the dangers brought by the plant. Touching on
issues of environmentalism, globalization and grassroots activism,
this film is a testament to the perseverance of dedicated
individuals attempting to effect change in their community.
Screenings and Awards:
- Thrissur International Film Festival (India, 2006)
- International Film Festival of Kerala (India, 2006)
- Peace Film Festival (USA, 2006)
SESSION 4
7:30pm / The Substation Theatre / 131 mins total / Free
Admision
With a pre-show screening of Reel Rev shorts
1) ¡Salud! / USA & Cuba / 2006 / 96 mins / Connie Field
/ NC16 (Some Nudity)
A powerful film about conflicting values and the urgency of
ensuring the universal right to health care. Filmed in The Gambia,
rural South Africa, coastal villages of Honduras and river
settlements in the Amazon, ¡Salud! reveals the human dimension of
the worldwide health crisis, and the central role of international
co-operation in addressing glaring inequalities. Examining the
curious case of Cuba, a cash-strapped country with what the BBC
calls ‘one of the world’s best health systems.’ ¡Salud! invites us
to explore new paths to making health a global birthright, wiping
out the diseases of poverty.
Screenings and Awards:
- Los Angeles Pan African Film and Arts Festival (USA, 2007 -
Audience Choice Award)
- 40th WorldFest - Houston International Film & Video Festival
(USA, 2007 - Bronze Remi Award)
- Tricontinental Film Festival (South Africa, 2007)
Pre-show screening of Reel Rev shorts
Reel Revolution is a programme presented by The Substation that
aims to nurture and instill greater involvement of youths in civil
society through a series of 4 min long video essays or
documentaries.
A series of selected works from the 2007 and 2008 Reel Revolution
entries will be screened before each film.
1) Trouncing Terrorism: A Guide to Saving Yourself and the
Nation (2008) made by Daryl John Ho, Miki Sim, Melvin Chen &
Mak Mei See
As a result of the spectacular escape of terrorist mastermind Mas
Selamat bin Kastari, the atmosphere in Singapore was filled with a
dialectical force of comedy and fear. It was in such an environment
that Trouncing Terrorism was conceived. Filled with tongue-in-cheek
humor, the filmmakers sought to promote an active citizenship that
would not only critically evaluate our nation’s “instructional
video” way of public policy, but also have the courage to stand up
to threats such as terrorism.
2) Asean Silence (2007) made by Rachel Chan & Alvin Lim
Lian Hao
On 19 June, 2007, Aung San Suu Kyi spent her 62nd birthday in
detention. In July this year, she will have spent a total of 20
years in detention since her arrest back in July, 1989. Despite
economic progress across ASEAN nations, human rights violations
such as Aung San Suu Kyi's case remained out of sight and
unaddressed.
3) Abstinence (2007) made by Seelan Palay, Zianti Ismail,
Gabrielle-Anne Seet and Jason Lee
A dialogue exploring human rights and Asian values.
4) My Singapore, My Home (2008) made by Loke Shen Fai &
Ron Nguyen
We know that there are many homeless people in our world. Through
movies, television and books, we know they exist from the streets
of New York to the slums of India and from tales such as Oliver
Twist. However, most Singaporeans take for granted that the
homeless no longer exist anymore on our modern shores. In essence,
“My Singapore, My Home” leads us to be aware of those still left
behind in the wake of Singapore’s economic progress. This is all
the more poignant now as we are presently in the midst of
Singapore’s economic recession.
5) Pay/Repay (2008) made by Tan Shin Yee, Tan Shin Yin, Eva
Wong, Tan Min Yen
"In Pay/Repay, we want to tackle global issues* that are going on
right now mainly due to humans' ignorance and distorted mindset.
(*Issues such as food crisis, global warming, extinction… etc.)
Most issues are not something new. They have been around for
decades. But are we doing the right things to help? Have we
neglected the small little things that we do daily that have a
massive impact on the environment? We want to show the importance
of individuals to start "doing" or "not-doing" something that can
make a difference."
About Underneath The Radar:
Underneath the Radar (UTR), debuted in 2006, as a series of
screenings featuring independent documentaries on contemporary
social injustices faced by people around the world. Made up by a
collective of friends, both curious and concerned with society’s
current predicament, UTR is a platform of exploration to encourage
plural perspectives, with the exchange of thought-provoking art and
film events to throw forward more public discussions and dialogue
on various social issues.
Touch base with UTR, email [email protected] or check
www.underneatheradar.net for upcoming events.
MONDAY 16 MARCH : Experimentals
Without experimentation, there can be no progress. Playing it safe
all day is downright boring! Seek a change, venture out to taste
something different and out of your zone of expectations. In fact,
leave expectations at the door so you can see things in a new
light, experience rather than judge, immerse rather than observe.
Come unarmed to experienence something fresh and be
surprised.
EXPERIMENTALS SHORT
7:15pm to 8:45pm / The Substation Theatre / 65 mins total / $7
& $5 (conc.)
1) Blond Ambition / France / 2008 / 4 mins / Miki Nitadori /
PG
How can we define Japan? What is racial consciousness and how, as
individuals, can we define our ethnic identity? "Identity" can only
be recognized where there is a difference. How do we define who
does and who does not belong to a nation? Are we competent to
racially identify others or is our racial identity something that
we can define by ourselves? Laughter is what I identify with being
Japanese.
Screenings and Awards:
- Rotterdam International Film Festival (The Netherlands,
2009)
2) Close Friend / Thailand / 2007 / 13 mins / Patachara
Eaimtrakul / PG
You never know anything in your close-friend's mind.
Screenings and Awards:
- 12th Thai Short Film & Video Festival (Thailand, 2008)
3) The Inner City / Singapore / 12008 / 19 mins / Liao
Jiekai / PG
Three filmmakers traveled together in Barcelona. One of them chose
to document the journey spontaneously.
Screenings and Awards:
- Asian Hot Shots Berlin (Germany, 2009 - In Competition)
- "Currents in the West", Post Museum (Singapore, 2008)
4) Tales of Swimming Pool / Thailand / 2008 / 14 mins /
Tulapop Saenjaroen / PG
I don’t know how to swim; I’m learning. I don’t know the reason why
I’m practicing swimming; I’m searching.
Screenings and Awards:
- 12th Thai Short Film & Video Festival (Thailand, 2008)
- "Hypothesis", Bioscope Theater, Bangkok (Thailand, 2008)
- "Currents in the West", Post Museum (Singapore, 2008)
5) Home Video / Thailand / 2008 / 15 mins / Yanin Pongsuwan
/ PG
The girl is looking for locations to shoot her film thesis. She
goes back to her hometown in the north where her mom takes her to
where all her precious memories can be found. A diary of me and my
mom.
Screenings and Awards:
- 12th Thai Short Film & Video Festival (Thailand, 2008)
- Fringe Festival No. 9 (Thailand, 2009)
CLOSING FILM
9pm to 10:15pm / The Substation Theatre / $10 & $8
(conc.)
1) The Alpha Diaries / Israel / 2008 / 65 mins / Yaniv Berman / M18
(Some Sexual References)
An unprecedented and voyeuristic look into military reserve life in
Israel, this film was shot over a 5 year period in director and
reserve soldier Yaniv Berman's life. As a soldier in the Israeli
army reserves, Alpha Company, Berman had unparalleled access and
filmed the soldiers as they went about their military service day
and night. Crossing over the Palestinian border, the camera
captured the soldiers every movement from the frenetic night-time
house arrests to the quiet moments of self reflection and despair.
Capturing the humiliation of both the Palestinians who are subject
to the house arrests as well as the Israeli soldiers who had to
carry them out, this documentary is the unique story of those who
have to drop their normal lives and spend 30 days every year, under
the guise of the olive green uniform, to perform the toughest, most
unsettling tasks, in the heart of an urban warzone.
Screenings and Awards:
- Zagreb Film Festival (Croatia, 2007 - Best Documentary)
- Entre Vues, Belfort International Film Festival (France,
2007)
- DocPoint Documentary Film Festival (Finland, 2008)
The Alpha Diaries - Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaFGfWskLPE
For more information and ticketing, please visit -
www.substation.org/3SIDF
or call 6337 7535 or email [email protected]