Sinema Showoff! “Best Mix of Heritage”4 min read
Reading Time: 3 minutesSinema Showoff! returns this month with “Best Mix of Heritage”.
As Singapore strengthens its unique multi-cultural identity for the next phrase of nation-building, we throw the spotlight on filmmakers with mixed ethnicity and explore how these directors successfully apply their diverse heritage to the films they create.
This month’s Sinema Showoff! will be on the 29th of June, 7.30pm at Sinema Old School (11B Mount Sophia, B1-12, Singapore 228466). Admission is free!
All filmmakers will be in attendance for a Q&A and photo taking session.
For more enquiries or interview requests with the directors, feel free to drop me an email at sueanne[at]sinema[dot]sg.
1. THE 25TH OF LAURA
Joshua Simon | English | 12 mins | PG
FINALIST, SINGAPORE SHORT FILM AWARDS, SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2010
Laura is a missing emotion and puzzle piece in a photographer’s life and she knows that. With a soft smile and looks, she challenges and tests his desperation in needing to complete his life.
Director’s Bio:
Joshua Simon an all-round entertainer has a Chinese mother and Indian father. Apart from recently graduating with a Diploma in Film, Sound & Radio from Ngee Ann Polytechnic he is a writer, dancer, hip hop dance choreographer, radio deejay, voice over artiste, singer and song writer.
He has been on stage five years old, hosting shows for his kindergarden, acting in the drama club singing in the church and school choir. He saw himself as an ambitious kid and more so than ever still is. And says “I’ll work hard to connect with humans through speech, song and a smile”.
He is currently waiting to be enlisted for National Service.
2. RICE
Taj J. Musco | Dialogue-Less | 6 mins | PG
OFFICIAL SELECTION, FUSION FILM FESTIVAL 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION, SOUTHSIDE FILM FESTIVAL 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION, PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORT FEST 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION – SINGAPORE PANORAMA SHORTS, SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2010
A Westerner struggles to cook the perfect bowl of rice under the tutelage of a stern Japanese rice master.
Director’s Bio:
Taj J. Musco originally from New England has a Sicilian father and a Welsh / English mother. Taj started making narrative films at the age of 14. He has made short films and documentaries in Cuba, France, Cuba, Pakistan and Singapore.
Taj holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Production from Hampshire College, Massachusetts, USA and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Film at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia, Singapore.
3. MAT ROCK DIARY (WORLD PREMIERE)
Pfett | English | 27 mins | M18
The Lord of the pirated dvd world has been played out and the mission to recover the dvds lies with two men.
Director’s Bio:
Pfett comes from a Malay and Eurasian background. He took close to three years to complete MAT ROCK DIARY.
4. KISSING FACES
Wesley Leon Aroozoo | English | 11 mins | PG
OFFICIAL SELECTION, INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION, JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2009
OFFICIAL SELECTION, BANGKOK WORLD FILM FESTIVAL 2009
OFFICIAL SELECTION, THAI SHORT FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL 2009OFFICIAL SELECTION, SINGAPORE SHORT FILM AWARDS 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION, SINGAPORE SHORT CUTS 2009
BRONZE AWARD – “˜BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY’, CROWBAR AWARDS 2009, SINGAPORE
FINALIST – “˜BEST ART DIRECTION’, CROWBAR AWARDS 2009, SINGAPORE
FINALIST, “˜BEST EDITING’, CROWBAR AWARDS 2009, SINGAPORE
A girl takes a taxi to an unknown destination and muses a bit on her life. Curious, intriguing mix of the kitschy dream world of karaoke and the neon reality of a city that mainly feels empty and desolate.
The film explores the mind of a KTV hostess who wishes her life was like a karaoke music video – beautiful and carefree.
Director’s Bio:
Wesley Leon Aroozoo is Eurasian with Portuguese Chinese ancestry. An avid filmmaker, KISSING FACES is Wesley’s 7th short film.
Wesley holds a Diploma from Temasek Polytechnic and is currently pursuing a degree in Digital Filmmaking at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
5. KITCHEN QUARTET (CURATOR’S PICK)
Nicole Midori Woodford | Mandarin & English | 21 mins | PG
SINGAPORE PANORAMA SHORT, SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2010
Food inexplicably intertwines two families in which a son and a daughter struggle to gain acceptance from their respective parents.
Director’s Bio:
Nicole who is of Eurasian descent believes that film has the the power to pull diverse cultures together and to make concrete the innate connection that exists between people of different ages and backgrounds.
Nicole’s films reflect her love for photography and music and capture beautifully parallel narratives and the spaces in-between.
KITCHEN QUARTET is her fifth short film.
