Socially-Conscious Films All Set to Make an Impact
By Lee Min Kok
ALMOST 40 films that invoke issues of the human condition will be on show during the International Social Action Film Festival until 1 October.
The festival, held in Singapore for the first time, kicked off on 9 September at Sinema Old School with the critically-acclaimed film War Dance, a documentary about three children in war-torn Uganda who struggle against adversity to achieve their dreams.
Besides films, the festival will also host workshops and discussion forums with filmmakers, academics and policy makers to engage audiences on a variety of issues across the world. These issues will centre around four main themes – human rights, inequality, sustainability as well as children and youth.
Festival Co-director, Ms. Olivia Loh-Ing, said: “It’s really easy to use film as a medium to highlight messages. We want audiences to watch a film and set them thinking of the issues it addresses, and then hopefully inspire them to take the next step to do something.”
Though the films are not the usual fare that Singaporeans are used to, avid film buffs can still look forward to entertaining pieces like Heavenly Kings, a mockumentary directed by Hong Kong director Daniel Wu.
Another one to watch out for is controversial animal activist film The Cove, where hidden cameras investigate the horrific treatment of animals in Japan.
On the public response to the festival so far, Ms. Loh-Ing revealed that the reception for certain films had been mixed, with some films more popular than others.
“We have a pretty good programme lined up over the next few weeks, so I’m optimistic that it will gain even more prominence,” she said.
The one-and-a-year-half old Sinema Old School is nestled at the top of Mount Sophia, the perfect venue for film-goers to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
One such film-goer was Singapore Management University undergraduate Shirleen Low, who managed to take time off from her busy schedule to experience the festival. After watching a series of documentaries chronicling the plight of migrant sex workers in Batam, England and Germany, she was visibly moved by the poignant messages that the films attempted to convey.
“These films are a refreshing change from the usual blockbuster fare that youths like us frequently flock to cineplexes to watch. They really set me thinking about how life in Singapore has been so smooth-sailing, compared to the difficulties these people face on a daily basis,” said the 20-year-old.
This festival was the brainchild of San Diego, California-based film company Legacy XXI, and has made its run across 8 countries and 15 cities such as Sydney and Berlin.
It will conclude its run in Singapore on Children’s Day on 1 October, where fittingly, the closing film will be Guy Moshe’s harsh yet poetic film, Holly, dedicated to raising awareness of the epidemic of child trafficking.
5oo Storm Heartland in MRT Pub Crawl
By Brandon Tan Yuan Yu
IT was an unusual evening for some western heartlanders as they saw 500 international students descending on ‘kopitiams’ on Wednesday in a drinking extravaganza known as the ‘MRT Pub Crawl’.
Held for the 4th time since 2008, the ‘MRT Pub Crawl’ is now amongst the most popular events for international students from local universities. Participation rates have doubled since its inception, now including more local students as well.
“My sincerity to play host probably explains why students, especially foreigners, are coming back for more,” said organiser Desmond Choo.
The fourth-year undergraduate from the National Technological University explained that a ‘pub crawl’ is a bar-hopping activity where people visit different bars to drink in a night. Choo added that ‘The MRT Pub Crawl’ is uniquely Singapore as it allows students from all walks of life to mingle and network while “hopping” from MRT station to station to get a drink in the heartlands.
Unlike previous seasons when participants recognised themselves with bright orange event tee-shirts, participants of this season wore white-based event tee-shirts that allow their friends to inscribe personal messages.
Sweden exchange student, Marcus, 22, who was amongst the revelry, cited the event as “a refreshing idea” and “a good opportunity to meet real people”.
Indonesian student, Dhika, 23, along with students of other nationalities, were shock to see a huge turnout as the ‘MRT Pub Crawl’ is by far the largest pub crawl they have attended.
Unlike a typical pub crawl, the ‘MRT Pub Crawl’ which kicked off at Boon Lay MRT station during a mad rush at 7:30 p.m., has raised public concern over rowdy behaviours of the “pub crawlers”.
However, Germany exchange student, Stefen Kersting, 22, felt that the public’s concern was unfounded as pub crawlers get to take breaks from drinking in between the stations.
“But I’m waiting to see if people stick to the rules after a while,” he added.
Indeed, some pub crawlers crossed the line toward the final destination at City Hall station when a group of them performed public display of affection despite disapproving stares from passengers on board.
Finally, they made their way to where they would later end the night on a high at Supperclub, a pub in Odeon Tower while leaving a trail of disgruntled passengers.
Meanwhile, Choo is working on other activities to provide more channels for international students to interact, which includes ’Halloween Rave Underground’ in October 2009.
