Another DiaS’pura review

Boo Junfeng, one of the panelists from DiaS’pura 2:

The screening of my films happened after lunch. I was quite pleased with the crowd that came. I have always made my shorts with the Singaporean audience in mind. To be able to show them one after another to a room full of overseas Singaporeans who (probably) miss home, did bring that notion of connecting with Singaporeans to another level for me. I was quite happy to be able to bring with me the different locales that were featured in the films.

There was a general sense of displacement from the people I managed to speak with at the event. Perhaps it is inherent in times like these that people question who they are and what they want to do with their lives. As Mr Brown put it during the discussion: a recession is good for the soul. People on the fast track in their careers suddenly see a less-defined way ahead and start questioning what they’ve been doing. It is very heartening to know that there are those who have turned their attention to other things that are important in life. Perhaps it is a good time for arts and culture to thrive.

DiaS’pura II film panel – preview

Since DiaS’pura II (“DSP”) is round the corner, I thought I might share my thoughts on what to look out for at the speaker series at DSP:

The film panel

The filmmakers coming to speak are all accomplished filmmakers who have achieved a certain level of recognition in Singapore.  I follow blogs about the Singaporean film scene on a regular basis, and these filmmakers have all been featured in interviews, exposes and discussions multiple times.  See below for some interesting (by my standards) links regarding these filmmakers.

• Michael Wang’s interview after a screening of “Carrot Cake Conversations”:

• Boo Junfeng’s showreel:

• Mirabelle Ang’s “Match Made” was screened at MoMA.

• Eva Tang’s blog – you can see the number of festivals her films have screen at.

• Li-Anne Huang’s “Singapore Girl” – you can catch a preview on her website.

• And the moderator of the panel himself, mrbrown, who needs no introduction to Singaporeans.  He is the brains behind the Mai Hum remix of the Blackeyed Peas’ “My Humps”:

BTW, DiaS’pura is still eagerly seeking donations/sponsorships!!!  Please click on the Donate button on their website.