Dance of the Dragon was supported fervently by the Singapore
Tourism Board. STB lent a hand to the production because the film
was shot entirely in Singapore, showcasing many of our famous
sightseeing locations.
As I had an American friend over at that period, I thought it
would be apt to bring him to the show. The cast could be considered
experienced and as close to A list as possible for a local
production.
Do remember that Fann Wong acted alongside Jackie Chan and Jason
Scott Lee is famous for his performances in Timecop2 and the Jungle
Book among other hollywood entertainers. My friend Brian certainly
recognized both of them though he could not quite recall their
names.
Personally I thought it was another measured performance by the
experienced trio, however their acting were hampered by the slow
and meandering story development. Perhaps the focus of the film was
on the the intricacies of ballroom dancing.
The directors also explored the web of relationships with much
sensitivity and artistry. That of course would not sit well with
the movie-goers because we are afterall not reviews or connoiseurs
of films, we are after the visuals and a relaxing time.
In this fast paced society, an epic must contain stunning CG
effects, grandiose outdoor shoots, some disturbingly scenes and
impactful acting.
In terms of outdoor shoots, DOTD have Cityhall, Clarke Quay and
Robinson Road. Compare that to Nardia or Lord of the Rings, where
the majestic nature of the New Zealand plains were shown in full
bloom. DOTD was always going to lose out in terms of that yet to a
Singaporean, these scenes still filled me with pride and a sense of
familiarity. Other Singaporeans might not be able to dissociate
Fann Wong with television and since they could watch her on TV at
9pm, why pay 8 to 10 bucks just to see her gyrate with a korean or
ABC?
JAng Hyuk is an aspiring dance student who taught himself by
imitating videotape dancers, protrayed the transition of a novice
shaker to an accomplished dancefloor exponent with ease. Fann Wong
too could fool us into thinking she has had professional training
as a ballerina. Their on screen chemistry deserves a mention.
Together they waltz to the tune of the movie and Jason Scott’s
fiery attempt to thwart both of them adds a new sizzling dimension
to the show sometimes. As the producers attempt to spin the complex
web of relationships between the characters, you wonder if they
were overdoing it. Sometimes we are just satisfied with boy A meets
girl, B turns out to be a bad apple and girl happily absconds with
A. Something like that.
Movies with “what ifs” and complicated choices do not do well at
box offices. Morality and mirrors of reality do well in books and
essays. They may win you critics but not box office success. So it
is not surprising that the Inaugural West Hollywood International
Film festival bestowed upon the film so many accolades. These
people are the ones who try to understand the movie and not the
ones who just watch a movie.
In DOTD we have a nice ethnic mix of singaporean, American
chinese and Korean set in an urban Asian city. The theme of
ballroom dancing may not be new and retired dancing champions even
staler but the producers injected adrenaline into this subject by
throwing in bits and pieces of martial arts along the way. The land
of revolution is feverished with martial arts craze and anything
asian. They seemingly will lap up ballroom dancing if it is wrapped
with an asian skin. Also due to the economic downturn, there were
not many outstanding Asian movies recently, DOTD made its debut at
the festival at a correct time.
There are many films which did not garner blockbuster status but
did well at film festivals. Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood of Love did
well overseas with the judges, so did other lesser known China
movies like JIang Cheng Xia Ri. Of course it would be a greater
honor if DOTD could win awards at the Cannes Film Festival but lets
be proud of our Singaporean production which has taken on a
cosmopolitan feel and did well on the international stage.
Ong Kok Wah
