Short Films From Asia3 min read

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In conjunction with its 5th Anniversary celebrations, the Asian Film Archive has collaborated with NUS Centre For the Arts to present, Short Films from Asiaduring the NUS Arts Festival 2010.

The lineup include new short films by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Chris Chong, Hong Sang Soo, Lav Diaz, and Tan Chui Mui.

Date: 5 Mar 2010,
Time: 8pm
Place: University Cultural Centre Hall
Price: $11

Tickets are available through Sistic.

Butterflies Have No Memories (Walang Alaala Ang Mga Paru-Paro)
by Lav Diaz | 2009 | 42 min | Tagalog | PG

On an island in the Philippines, economic difficulties lead Ferding, Santos and Willy to drink in despair. A visit by a Canadian woman changes everything. This film was commissioned as part of the Jeonju Digital Project 2009.

Lav Diaz quickly gained an international reputation through his Philippines Trilogy: Batang West Side (2001), Evolution of A Filipino Family (2005) and Heremias (2006). His films Death in the Land of Encantos (2007) and Melacholia (2008) received acclaim at the Venice International Film Festival.

Lost In The Mountain (CheopcheopSanjung)
by Hong Sang-soo | 2009 | 32 min | Korean | PG

Misook is in Jeonju to visit her friend Jin-Young, and Sangoak, her former writing teacher whom she had an affair with. When she discovers their clandestine liaison, she asks Myungwoo, who is interested in her, to accompany her in Jeonju. The film is a portrayal of social awkwardness, told with Hong´s dry humor.

Hong Sang-soon, received his MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago. Since his 1996 debut, The Day A Pig Fell Into The Well has become one of the most prominent Korean filmmakers today. His subsequent works competed at the Cannes Film Festival: The Power of Kangwon Province, Woman is the Future of Man, Tale of Cinema, and Like You Know It All.

Everyday Everyday
by Tan Chui Mui | 2008 | 18 min | Mandarin | PG

Sook Chen quits her job and decides to go to Peru. Ma cannot understand why. He has never understood what Sook Chen wants. This film won the Grand Prize (International Competition) at the 31st Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival in 2009.

Tan Chui Mui, a Malaysian filmmaker has been actively involved in the Malaysian independent film scene. Her other awardwinning works include A Tree In Tanjung Malim and Love Conquers All.

A Letter for Uncle Boonmee
by Apichatpong Weerasethakul | 2009 | 18 min | Thai | PG

A group of young soldiers repeat and memorise a letter written to a man named Boonmee. This film is part of the Primative project which focuses on remembrance and extinction in northeastern Thailand, and won the Grand Prize at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival in 2009.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul´s experimental and independent films and artworks are all set in his native Thailand. His films have received numerous awards, including at the Cannes and Venice film festivals.

Block B
by Christopher Chong | 2008 | 20 min | Tamil

A living painting. Concrete homes and contradicting soundscapes reveal the lives and social structure of the expatriate Indian community on the outskirts of Malaysia.

Malaysian/Canadian Christopher Chong Chan Fui started his career by directing a number of experimental hand-processed films. Awarded Best Emerging Filmmaker in Toronto in 2001, his first feature, Karaoke, premiered at the 2009 Cannes Directors´ Fortnight and was awarded the Maverick Prize at the 2009 Calgary International Film Festival.