After visiting the National Cinema Museum, I saw another group of student protesters. Dum dum dum.
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Saturday, December 11, 2010
Museo Nazionale del Cinema (National Cinema Museum), Torino
Despite being slightly delayed by the student protests, the last pitching session went by pretty smoothly.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Junko Kamata performing in Shinjuku, great voice, great songs.
I'll take a break briefly from the Torino recaps to write about something that happened last night.
Torino student protests remind me of Antonioni's Blow-Up
30th of November, my last day in Torino. It was an eventful day, so I'll need perhaps 3 blog entries to cover them all.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Torino Film Fest/ Film Lab 2010 recap (Nov 25-27)
I flew to Torino on the 25th of November for the Torino Film Lab (which is part of the Torino Film Festival. 3 years ago, Ming Jin won a jury award in this festival for THE ELEPHANT AND THE SEA).
When I arrived, it was already dark. I had to take a bus to the city center. The journey lasted around 45 minutes.
When I arrived, it was already dark. I had to take a bus to the city center. The journey lasted around 45 minutes.
Back from Torino and Manila.
Yup, I came back from Manila two days ago. For the past two weeks I was in Torino (Italy) and Manila for the film festivals and other stuff.
The screenwriting workshop I've been attending throughout the year concluded its session in Torino (the first two rounds were in Bratislava, back in March, and Brignogan, France, back in June).
Then I just headed off immediately to Cinemanila Film Fest to present INHALATION and THE TIGER FACTORY.
Many photos, videos to share, many stories to tell.
My computer died (again) just when I reached Torino, hence the lack of updates. Frustrating, but it had happened so often that I've grown numb.
I'm leaving for Dubai on the 11th. Not a lot of time to rest from my constant flying, haha.
The screenwriting workshop I've been attending throughout the year concluded its session in Torino (the first two rounds were in Bratislava, back in March, and Brignogan, France, back in June).
Then I just headed off immediately to Cinemanila Film Fest to present INHALATION and THE TIGER FACTORY.
Many photos, videos to share, many stories to tell.
My computer died (again) just when I reached Torino, hence the lack of updates. Frustrating, but it had happened so often that I've grown numb.
I'm leaving for Dubai on the 11th. Not a lot of time to rest from my constant flying, haha.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Yoyogi Park during Autumn Twilight
Almost exactly two years ago, I headed off to Yoyogi Park to look at the golden ginkgo leaves, I was unable to forget their beauty. Since then, I made a mental note to myself that I would always visit the place when the leaves were turning.
When I had an appointment with someone yesterday evening, I decided to go to Yoyogi Park first. To my consternation, the sky was already turning dark at 4pm. Nonetheless, the golden ginkgo leaves were still there.
When I had an appointment with someone yesterday evening, I decided to go to Yoyogi Park first. To my consternation, the sky was already turning dark at 4pm. Nonetheless, the golden ginkgo leaves were still there.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Red Pepper Girls (Korean twins) performing in Shinjuku
I met up with old high school friend Sebastian yesterday evening in Shinjuku (he and his family were on a family trip in Japan and dropped by in Tokyo for two nights). After we had dinner, he left and I walked off to catch the bus.
As I walked past the Shinjuku Station West Exit, our conversation swirled in my mind, people from high school, those who had just gotten married, those who had just gotten engaged, previous loves, our careers in film (Sebastian works in RHYTHM AND HUES and had just made a short film called Hashshashin's Revolt, it was a valiant attempt), and the like.
Perhaps time was indeed passing me by, I thought in slight melancholy. Ah, memory, a constant source of pain.
It was Sunday evening, Shinjuku was characteristically crowded. Yet I walked in solitude, past the crowds of people, past lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other, past tourists mesmerized by the bustling energy of Shinjuku, past a pair of pretty twin sisters singing at the street, past a happy family, past a couple of homeless guys-
Eh?
I stopped, and looked back at the pair of pretty twin sisters.
As I walked past the Shinjuku Station West Exit, our conversation swirled in my mind, people from high school, those who had just gotten married, those who had just gotten engaged, previous loves, our careers in film (Sebastian works in RHYTHM AND HUES and had just made a short film called Hashshashin's Revolt, it was a valiant attempt), and the like.
Perhaps time was indeed passing me by, I thought in slight melancholy. Ah, memory, a constant source of pain.
It was Sunday evening, Shinjuku was characteristically crowded. Yet I walked in solitude, past the crowds of people, past lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other, past tourists mesmerized by the bustling energy of Shinjuku, past a pair of pretty twin sisters singing at the street, past a happy family, past a couple of homeless guys-
Eh?
I stopped, and looked back at the pair of pretty twin sisters.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Nov 17, 18, 19... lots of birthdays of family members
Since my epic food poisoning last week, I continued my semi-retreat into a writing session of my screenplay.
So the entire week just came and went.
I just came to a realization that Nov 17, 18 and 19 are birthdays of many people I know. In fact, I have 3 different family members and relatives celebrating their birthdays on these three successive days.
So the entire week just came and went.
I just came to a realization that Nov 17, 18 and 19 are birthdays of many people I know. In fact, I have 3 different family members and relatives celebrating their birthdays on these three successive days.
Friday, November 12, 2010
I haven't vomited since '05...
I felt that something was wrong two nights ago when I was suddenly afflicted with diarrhea. What could've caused it? The onigiri I bought in a convenience store for lunch? The bento from the nice elderly couple that I've had for dinner (a favourite of mine for the past two years)? The iced chocolate I drank two hours later during a meeting?
Not dwelling upon the issue, I quickly took the famed Po Chai pills. The discomfort lasted for two hours before everything subsided and I could sleep again.
When I woke up yesterday, I felt a little better, and assumed that I've recovered. I took a few gulps of water, then I was overwhelmed by a strong feeling of nausea.
Oh shit... was the words in my mind as I ran out of my room, hoping to reach the toilet in time.
I couldn't make it.
Not dwelling upon the issue, I quickly took the famed Po Chai pills. The discomfort lasted for two hours before everything subsided and I could sleep again.
When I woke up yesterday, I felt a little better, and assumed that I've recovered. I took a few gulps of water, then I was overwhelmed by a strong feeling of nausea.
Oh shit... was the words in my mind as I ran out of my room, hoping to reach the toilet in time.
I couldn't make it.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A memory from primary school
Recently, during a Facebook chat session with some primary school friends (yes, we still keep in touch, someone was sweet enough to start a Facebook group for the class of 1996) and a certain incident started emerging from the deepest recesses of my memory.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Visiting Kamakura with Mom
22nd of September 2010, two days after my graduation ceremony, and 2 days before receiving news of my uncle's sudden passing. It was Mid-Autumn Festival.
No mooncakes or lanterns though, just me bringing mom to Kamakura to visit the Big Buddha.
No mooncakes or lanterns though, just me bringing mom to Kamakura to visit the Big Buddha.
Waseda Festival 2010
Yesterday was the Waseda Festival 2010. (read about Waseda Festival 2009)
Not much about the fair though, since the highlight of my day was clearly this:
Although I was quite amused by the folks at the Bodybuilding Club too. A group of muscular dudes were in the university campus, flexing their muscles, letting people touch them, while they hand out flyers.
Not much about the fair though, since the highlight of my day was clearly this:
Although I was quite amused by the folks at the Bodybuilding Club too. A group of muscular dudes were in the university campus, flexing their muscles, letting people touch them, while they hand out flyers.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Re-introducing my short film, AFTERNOON RIVER, EVENING SKY
The Bratislava International Film Festival begins today.
My short film, AFTERNOON RIVER, EVENING SKY, will make its world premiere in competition. It is the only Asian entry among the selected short films.
My short film, AFTERNOON RIVER, EVENING SKY, will make its world premiere in competition. It is the only Asian entry among the selected short films.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
My films, LOVE SUICIDES and KINGYO receive awards at the Doi Saket International Film Festival
Now, this is a surprise!
Just received news that I won two awards at the inaugural Doi Saket International Film Festival (facebook page here). The festival actually ended on the same day as the Tokyo International Film Fest (Oct 31st), but the folks were so busy that they didn't announce the results publicly until few moments ago.
I won a Best Editing Award for KINGYO (2009).
Just received news that I won two awards at the inaugural Doi Saket International Film Festival (facebook page here). The festival actually ended on the same day as the Tokyo International Film Fest (Oct 31st), but the folks were so busy that they didn't announce the results publicly until few moments ago.
I won a Best Editing Award for KINGYO (2009).
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
The last day of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2010
31st of October.
I headed to Roppongi to wait for the Green Carpet event prior to the closing ceremony. I was at the TIFF Movie Cafe with Prof. Ando.
I headed to Roppongi to wait for the Green Carpet event prior to the closing ceremony. I was at the TIFF Movie Cafe with Prof. Ando.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
THE TIGER FACTORY receives Jury Special Mention at Tokyo International Film Festival
The Tokyo International Film Festival ended yesterday (... or two days ago, since it's 1:37am when I'm writing this).
I went to the awards ceremony and to my surprise, THE TIGER FACTORY received a Jury Special Mention for the Winds Of Asia category! Basically it happened when the jury members were presenting the Best Asian Film award to Korean filmmaker Shin Su-Won for her film PASSERBY #3, then jury member and film director Akira Ogata mentioned that the jury would like to specially mention THE TIGER FACTORY as well. So, I realized that a 'special mention' is literally, you know, a special mention.
When the 'award winners' were invited onto the stage for a photography session, not entirely sure whether someone who got a 'special mention' is considered an 'award winner', I headed off to the toilet. Then I came out and heard people calling out my name, so I went back into the hall and people were waiting for me!
So I took some photos with the winners and was whisked off to the press conference.
Me and Su-Won addressed the press and took questions.
The Tokyo International Film Fest website quoted some stuff I said. But slightly different in both the Japanese and English pages.
I went to the awards ceremony and to my surprise, THE TIGER FACTORY received a Jury Special Mention for the Winds Of Asia category! Basically it happened when the jury members were presenting the Best Asian Film award to Korean filmmaker Shin Su-Won for her film PASSERBY #3, then jury member and film director Akira Ogata mentioned that the jury would like to specially mention THE TIGER FACTORY as well. So, I realized that a 'special mention' is literally, you know, a special mention.
When the 'award winners' were invited onto the stage for a photography session, not entirely sure whether someone who got a 'special mention' is considered an 'award winner', I headed off to the toilet. Then I came out and heard people calling out my name, so I went back into the hall and people were waiting for me!
So I took some photos with the winners and was whisked off to the press conference.
Me and Su-Won addressed the press and took questions.
The Tokyo International Film Fest website quoted some stuff I said. But slightly different in both the Japanese and English pages.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The 2nd screening of INHALATION + THE TIGER FACTORY in Tokyo International Film Festival
The TPG meetings from the 26th to 28th of Oct went by in a blur. I think it's much more fruitful than the one two years ago, I got to meet more people, got more input for the project, it was a very educational experience.
No photos though, just a photo of Ming Jin and I, with Dustin Nguyen. In between meetings.
No photos though, just a photo of Ming Jin and I, with Dustin Nguyen. In between meetings.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The 1st screening of INHALATION + THE TIGER FACTORY in Tokyo International Film Festival
26th of Oct. The 1st screening of INHALATION and THE TIGER FACTORY.
The day began with the TPG (Tokyo Project Gathering) reception. Just like two years ago, Ming Jin and I had a project called 'THE BOOK KEEPER' in the TPG. Some changes were made since then, for example, the opening reception was held on the TIFF Movie Cafe instead of the ballroom in the 49th floor of Roppongi Hills, and that meetings of TPG had been integrated into TIFFCOM (at the 40th floor) instead of being in a separate space at the 49th floor. I elaborated a lot more about the TPG in this blog two years ago.
Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang has a new project called Headshot.
The day began with the TPG (Tokyo Project Gathering) reception. Just like two years ago, Ming Jin and I had a project called 'THE BOOK KEEPER' in the TPG. Some changes were made since then, for example, the opening reception was held on the TIFF Movie Cafe instead of the ballroom in the 49th floor of Roppongi Hills, and that meetings of TPG had been integrated into TIFFCOM (at the 40th floor) instead of being in a separate space at the 49th floor. I elaborated a lot more about the TPG in this blog two years ago.
Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang has a new project called Headshot.
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