Chet Lam - Burn 林一峰 - 燃

一峰每次來找我都會在他臨上機前幾天來電﹕「喂，你估我哋可唔可以一齊做Ｄ嘢呀啦？」推了好幾次，我覺得有點不好意思把他的一腔熱誠回以一臉冷漠，結果就在這有百多年歷使的故老大屋面臨清拆前拍了他的 Music Video - 燃。他老是說這首歌要我拍，（多謝被面），我聽了ＤＥＭＯ，聽了合成混音版本很多次，畫面都很多，不知從何開始。結果我問一峰﹕「在你掛念別人的時候，你會做什麼？」「燙衫囉。」一聽就道是由脊神經直接放出訊號，未經大腦分析的答案。「做一些東西去distrack自己。」~~ this is a make up thought! 當你想念一個人的時候，能做的東西，就是讓自己不想念他-- 那只有不停的做其他無關痛癢的事...「咁燙完衫做咩呀？」我又問。「掛住佢囉！」，我倆會心微笑...

The Eagle Has Landed

I was in invited again by Fool's Proof Theatre, to Liverpool this time (YEAH!!!) to do a recording of their new show - The Eagle Has Landed. Having their last show - Hanks missed, I certainly put this job in the first priority.

The day I arrive, I visited their rehearsal, Director Linda Kerr Scott was there, and that's the first time I see such a wonderful director in such a close distance to gives directions...They spent all that day + night fine tuning the show. After that is the tech run and the dress rehearsal.

Was never into Theatre before, but since I meet them, I have been paying alot of attention to the connection of Film and Theatre.

This piece impressed me by it minimalistic setting, but the ability to told a very complicated non-linear narrative. From a filmmaker point of view, it is a "one take" one hours piece, not pause in between, 3 person, playing more than 12 roles in different time. Just by changing the usage of a props, a suite case can turn to be different things in the audiences' imagination... the magic moment of the play come from the transition of reality and memories, present and pass... just by calling the same actor a different name, change of lighting and most important, skillful acting, the same stage and setting changed to another space and time.

Working with Britt and Mary was always a pleasure to me, they are sensitive, careful and considerate, yet very open for creative and constructive suggestions. This time in Liverpool, they bring me to meet a lot of people who is in the theatre community, VERY STRONG, VERY SUPPORTIVE!! Have to mention Barry Han and Sara here, for the wonderful hospitality!!

SwissCom: Sport@School

Was working with Pascal Vallon (http://www.dlvry.ch/) and Wiseguys for SwissCom: Sport@School - a very meaningful event held in a primary school in Luzern, offering a short seminars for students to learn and motivate positive thinking during when obstacles appear in life. The seminar is conducted through sport, movement, drawings, group activities and discussions. It was a pleasure to meet and work with Swiss Olympic game winner, Ms Ursula Bruhin.

Hung Hom Government Primary School

I was once dreaming about some classmates in my primary school. Don't know why I was then woke up, eyes wide open, go to the computer room and look up in the internet. I found out my primary school now have a homepage! (WOW!) When dig inside, there's a photo of my year of graduation (the oldest one in the web), how long? 20 years! Suddenly feel so old, tho I am not. With all the teachers I know, familiar faces suddenly appear like waves from the sea. Was digging for some contact of my old friends, no luck. But this photo is just so historical to me, the dresses, the glasses, the look, and the touch of it...

There's no colour printer, what ever laser was never heard at that time, my fisrt printer was a 8 pins printer, that can wake up the whole family when I print at night. [sounds like a old man now...] And this typo printed on the photo, is surely a hand made effect, with the especial chemical reaction on the photo paper and light. :D

"Hung Hom Government Primary School" When I read out the school name, I still carry this little accent from my primary school teachers. Miss Wong. :D

Alois Reinhardt

Alois Reinhardt

To find a good looking actor is easy, to find a good looking and talented actor is not too difficult, but to find a good looking, talented, and (still) passionate actor is like looking for a needle in the lake of Zurich. Here I found one.

Video use under permission, for temporary display only.

Bernalmode - Fashion Show

I have just finished the event recording with Wiseguys GmbH and Bernische Stiftung für angewandte Kunst und Gestaltung for their event on Bernalamode - a fashion show featuring the well established and upcoming fashion designers in Switzerland.

My video is already online on their website, in QT and in WMV format.

Fashion culture in pretty much similar everywhere, yet the Swiss have been successfully achieved a high quality of living in the world, so do the fashion industry. It is impressing to see fashion designers with foreign influences and ground breaking ideas in the show, and the audience in the shows are unexpected supportive. My favorite is the Erika Jakob Design, and Adrian Reber collections.

Autumn Wings

Have been talking with Alyos for a while about working together. Finally, while Phoebe is visiting me here, we shoot a fragment of “Autumn”.

It have been a great time and brand new experience working with Dino Zizarri (Camera), Alois Reinhardt (Key Actor), Rebecca Weingartner (Key Actress) and the Lovely Sylvia who bring the ogel to us. Also have to give a big big thanks to Raff, Mary Peason, Salome, Simone!!!

Autumn's Wings will be developed under 10mm Films.

HANK - Fools Proof Theather

Right before I went to Scotland, I finished working a video project with Fools Proof Theater – HANK. This teenage theater project discuss topics about violence and teenagers problems, required a few sections of video to interact with the actors on stage, and to present the psychological status of the characters, which go beyond the limitations of the theater stage. We have been working for almost a year to reach this stage of the project. From the very first day of shooting the TV game opening scene with all the masks on, using 10mm's new technique in chroma key to shoot each fighter individually, and put them back together in post-production, until the sleepless nights finalizing the DVD with music and sound effect on it, it have been one of my most enjoyable co-operation.

Finally this project has comes to a pause, and have been getting quite a lot of applause around the city. All 3 shows including the première are full, and are expecting a re-run and school tour in Jan 2007. I am extremely excited about that!

Working with Britt Jürgensen, Mary Pearson and Fabian Gysling have been an irreplaceable experience. Cheers! Yesterday we was all holding a glass of champagne: TO THIS WONDERFUL CO-OPERATION! And TO OUR FUTURE CO-OPERATIONS!

more info: http://foolsprooftheatre.com/
written on 20.10.2006

HANK on Berner kulturagenda

HANK on Berner kulturagenda, No20 5 bis 18 Oktober 2006

Stone Sour - Through Glass

simple effect, but very effective, good enough for the song, lyrics to stand out.EXCELLENT!

告別游琪

Carmela sent me a mail 14th August, telling me the lighting director in Ho Yuk has passed away. Kay Chuk... who have been staying with us all the time in the production of Ho Yuk, from the beginning until the end of reshoot, lighting up every little details in the set, using light and shadow to paint the picture... long hair, always comes with a smile and leave with a smile..

below a passage from my dearest teacher/professor/my most influencing director - Yau Ching.

告別游琪

星期天晚上,從屯門搭一個多鐘頭到旺角轉車到紅磡,為的是要送別一個朋友。 琪叔,跟我同姓,又同樣屬馬。因為拍電影《好郁》而認識到的一伙朋友,我一直偷偷厚顏無恥地引以為最大的榮幸。我不是一個懂說多謝的人,有時心存感激,沒說出來,到已經不可能的時候,才知後悔 。琪叔是我那部獨立電影的燈光師,連續與我們同甘共苦捱了三十多天,後來到補拍階段,導演基本上已妻離子散窮途末路,惟有琪叔依然風雨不改準時報到。整個過程前前後後一年多,分文不收。 電影歷史是吃人機器。琪叔手上身上一幅幅的疤,從四十多年前拍《火燒紅蓮寺》而來。我坐在殯儀館空蕩蕩的靈堂內,沒有任何人,只有琪叔的家眷、我與我的製作統籌朋友。你打開電影資料館的網頁, 跟「游琪」這名字有關的,有二十九部港產片。光是一九七四年,琪叔便當了五部電影的攝影師。攝影與燈光,是電影的靈魂,香港電影,從來不靠導演、編劇,靠的是一幫紮實勤奮的工作人員。在琪叔身 上,我看到香港電影工業孕育出來,也賴以存活的,一種腳踏實地、不卑不亢的專業知識與操守。攝影與燈光的知識,從日積月累的經驗;無數次不同電影類型、場景的需求得來,絕非我們這些從外國唸電 影回來的菜鳥可有。我非常記得,我們茶餘飯後問琪叔,拍過這麼多部電影,最滿意的是?他不假思索:《女集中營》。為什麼呢?一大群人,困在漆黑斗室,燈要打到,一個影都沒有。一個影都沒有。全 然人造的光,偽裝成全然天然的光:電影人終極的目標;一幫人大汗淋漓等著你,難度不足為外人道。 我的下一部片,本預了琪叔的份兒,本講好今次一定要有人工...實際上,琪叔走了,我也不知如何拍下去。謝謝一切,平安上路!

Taken with permission from the Author: Yau Ching, 成報 (Sing Pao), Sept 11, 06.

Core22 - Heart on fire

This Swiss video is good one.

White Stripes - Blue Orchid

See that's what I mean: I would rather spend the budget in the art directions, and innovative ideas. (Pricless!)

I was talking to HJ, I always think, is it true that all the budget of the MV has to go to the salaries, so that the remindings is actually not enough to do anything, + people is not passionate in doing MV anymore, shitty music, horrible artist, terrible agent... so that it makes the MV in Switzerland (one of the most expansive place in Europe) look even more shitting than those low budget MVs in Hong Kong?

CHRISTINA AGUILERA - Welcome

"Welcome"

Woah, ohh

Welcome to the greatest show
Greatest show on earth
You've never seen before
Here the fairytale unfolds

What's behind the smoke and glass?
Painted faces, everybody wears a mask
Are you selling them your soul?
Well you'll be left out in the cold

Is it all blue skies
Fun and games untill you fall
Then you're left without anyone at all
You're riding on a shooting star
With a smile upon your face
But soon the shine fades

And you're left out all alone
Wondering where did they all go?
Oooh

Been jaded, hated,
Who'll be around when the limelight's faded?
Been shut down, pushed out
Made to smile when I wanted to frown

Always taking a bow
Always working the crowd
Always breaking new ground
Always playing the clown
Who'll be sticking it out?
Who'll be staying around
When the lights go down?

CHRISTINA AGUILERA - Enter The Circus

"Enter The Circus"

Ladies and gentlemen
Boys and girls
Step right up, step right up
Come closer, you won't believe your eyes
Behind this curtain,
Witness something you've never seen before,
Heard before, dreamt before
The most amazing show on earth

La la la la la la la
It's the most amazing show on earth
La la la la la la la

Do you want to be widely entertained?
People to know your name?
Do you crave fame?
Well they say "things aren't always what they seem to be"
Even your greatest fantasies
You won't believe your eyes
Won't even recognise
The wonderment that lies
Behind the shimmer and the lights

Is it true what they say?
Is it all just fun and games?
Or is there more behind the makeup,
And the faces full of paint?

I ask you, do you want to come and play?
Hahahaha
Get the world to come and play
Hahahaha

So sit back, relax, fasten your seatbelts
It's going to be a bumpy ride to the other side

Soundless Windchime on Uri Zeitung

The production of "Soundless Windchime" is announced on Newspaper today.

Hopeful or Hopeless?!

Yan Yan Mak gives me a link to the MV of Mr. Children from Japan, touches me so much. Talking about a lost dreams and the young heart within everybody. Surly I spread it around to my friends, and Chang Jiang responds to me with this made-in-china video "13131", I was totally shocked! Almost identical to the Japanese one.

OH MY GOD!

I am angry, and ashamed. As a Chinese, as a creative person wanted to finally contribute to my home country. To see this disrespectful act of a creative person from China, and the torrarence of the media industry in my home country, it re-reinfouce the pre-conception of "No original things in China." Now, even in MV production.

It is not new to me that in the commercial business, there're not a lot of "boss" care about originality. But it is hard to believe that one can copy thing in this absolutely abusing, NO taste, and cheap ways. This video have bad casting, bad acting and bad direction, and the way it copy the original is absolutely down grading. Isn't it a mistake? Or isn't it proof again woman/sex appeal sell? Commercial decisions dominate everything? Where is the respect to creative person, where is the respect of intellectual property?!

While everyone is changing it's point of view, looking and awaiting China's economy growth, the opportunities flow and dreams coming true... Things coming from China keeps turning me down.......

Keith Ridgway

Seldom finish reading a book. Especially a novel. I remember the last one was actually back in while I am still in Chicago, this book called "The Long Falling" by Keith Ridgway which I find in a rainbow bookstore in Belmont/Broadway.

It takes me a while to finished but I never hesitated pick up the book to read it. The chapters are arranged by name: Grace, Shane, Grace, Martin, Martin... Grace.. Amazingly haunting, details and lyrical.

Since than I try to read other different novel... no, I stopped in them middle. The long awaiting new book of Keith Ridgway is in the mail book today!!! - Animals. The first time in my life I am distracted by a "book" just by putting it beside my computer while I am working, can't help picking it up and read.

Clueso - Chicago

Clueso - Chicago

Being reminded of something is such a self-contain feeling that can't share with anyone. Not until I watched this "End Creidt"-look-a-like MV, I didn't realized how much I miss chicago, the feeling comes like the waves from the lake Michigan, the sunny but enjoying depressing days with Hyunch riding the bike along the lake, all the way from gold-coast to my place in Rogers Park. North Kenomre, IL 60660...
I have already forgotten the excat number, but all the building around are stills in my mind...

陳凱歌的「和你在一起」

昨天零辰看完了陳凱歌的「和你在一起」，我開始不明白是自己看了太多同類形的電影還是故事真們沒有新意，我每每總猜中幾分鐘後的劇情，一邊看一邊想﹕「唔好比我估中！」。

莫非讚人熱淚、感動人心的片就通通都是這樣的？親情、骨肉分離都是中國電影內最使人有同感，最容易過關的內容，但就是不是就只有這幾種角度來表現呢？

看這部電影，有些情節另人「毛管動」，真的不需要那麼直接地把感情暴露出來！親生父親／繼父為了孩子的音樂才華從鄉下跑到北京找老師，再明白到要做好音樂和要成功是兩回事，而兩者都可以沒有直接關係，最後因為怕拖累孩子而毅然離開，這種為他人而犧生自己、內心毫無爭扎又一相情願的小人物對我來說有點不真實，再加上那只會花錢，但不知錢從何來的莉莉...唉！又是一個典型的黑色喜劇配撘。

Less is more, 部片最成功的地方，就是沒有太多對白的男主角，「一多嘢講就出事！」不知為什麼有一場特然為老師打掃後就口水多多，不過，但這種特然奇來的「變化」亦對角色起了一些正面影響。

故事尾部的剪接開始有些影響力，而劇情亦有些新意，但亦都是最扇情的部份，目的都是一樣一一「要你哭」。幸好沒有大伙兒抱頭大哭的鏡頭，反而出奇不意地打把音樂比賽代表的結果扭轉，把最終勸力留在「參加者」的身上，而非在位的「老師」。

其實在最後十五分鐘，此部片可以隨時「理尾」，但是我知道導演一定是受了很多方面的影響，才會有這完了又再說多點、Fade Out 又再 Fade In 的結尾...

今晚再看臺灣的 :-D

DVD Review: Un Ano Sin Amor （A year without love）

「Un Ano Sin Amor」（A year without love）去年在柏林影展獲得金小熊獎，改編自亞根廷年青作家Pablo Perez真人真事，用一串串光影敘述Pablo在成為愛滋病帶菌者後為自己的生
命倒數的日誌。亦是女導演Anahi Berneri在法國完成電影課程後的首部敘事長片。

Pablo 除了每天在自己的工作室內寫作、定期到醫院覆診和教新移民本地語言外，就是到一所色情電影院裡和陌生人胡混。在一次赴會到一個陌生人的家裡作「三人派對」後，認識到猛男Martin，其後更知道原來Martin是一所S&M地下會所的主要成員。Pablo為了追求Martin，開始迷上了S&M，更匿名致電Martin，要求為「Master」服務。

整部電影沒有什麼傳統電影所謂的「完整故事」，反而用瑣碎的片段來推砌出主角終日無所事事，日日在等出版社和朋友來電的被動生活。Martin的出現為主角帶來新希望，使主角的生活有了動力，但電影裡就用了很多S&M的片段表演出Pablo最黑暗而又最樂於處於被動狀態的一面。

對筆者而言，此電影最有趣的地方不是在故事方面，而是這部電影怎樣把不同的事件及情緒放在一起，把其透切地觀穿，使全個故事比起所看到及聽到的更多－－在思想裡起飛。就如對比主角對自己病情的無助，及在被鐵鍊鎖起時（在預期之下）任人鞭打的無助；及在影片裡常常會看到Pablo跪在地上，又或者被推倒在「Master」旁邊的情景，這都好像是Pablo對自己的生活的一種宣洩，對自己的病、不能出版的文稿、得不到的愛情的一種哀嗚。

在世人告訴Pablo要為自己的生活而堅強的時候，他就在S&M裡釋放自己最無助的一面。

在影片中最明顯類似的比較，就有導演用同一個鏡頭及角度表現主角三次脫衣服，第一次在醫院，第二次和Martin單獨見面，第三次被騙「入局」大玩三人S&M。

電影在新年開始，在聖誕完結，「A year without love」，就是Pablo Perez 嘗試放下感情，「行屍走肉的一年」。

此片ＤＶＤ在南美洲西班牙語區已全面發行，在本月於北美及歐洲上影，香港尚未有定案，但大家可在網上找到ＤＶＤ。

DVD Review: Mysterious Skin

由美籍亞裔導演Greff Araki執導，加上兩位演技精湛的演員Joseph Gordon-Levitt(飾Neil McCormick)及Brady Corbet(飾Brian Lackey), Mysterious Skin分別在多個國際影展上勇奪多個最佳導演及最佳演員的獎項。

Mysterious Skin 講述兩個剛成年的年青人，Neil及Brain，他們同住在美國Kansas的郊區。Brain自八歲起經常流鼻血及發惡夢，長大了的他常常說自己小時候曾被外星人擄走做太空實驗，手中常常拿著一本筆記裡面畫上在夢中那穿着棒球鞋那外星人的樣子。而在同一隊棒球隊裡的Neil就完全不同，他自小就非常仰慕其球隊教練，加上自小生活在破碎家庭中，並有個不太守婦道的母親，Neil長大後在街上援交賺錢，在鎮裡五十多塊就有交易。

兩位青年來自同一棒球隊，生命截然不同，其後的相交點就在Brain的夢裡，原來在夢裡的手術檯上，Neil就躺在Brain身旁。可惜當Brian經過千方百計找到Neil 的住址之後，才發現Neil已經到了紐約。

在紐約的Neil繼續用身體來換取金錢，搭上更加多不同類型，有不同要求的客人，而就在剛想放棄賣淫，正想回家過聖誕之際，就被一變態暴徒強姦了。

帶着被摧殘了的身體回到家裡，Neil再碰見十年沒見的棒球隊隊友Brain,矇矇的Brain上前問起Neil有關外星人的事，Neil不作一聲，帶Brain到他們球隊教練的居所。屋裡沒有人，但陳設就和十年前一模一樣，而Brain亦在同時記起十年前和Neil被其球隊教練性侵犯的經過。

全片沒有冷場，開始時利用高超的剪接技巧把事源輕輕帶過，沒有露骨的對白，把那些「不能說的」、「不道德的」都用影像的交接來交代得非常清楚。加上兩位年青演員的演技及懾人的樣子，都把角色的黑暗特質在光影之間投射出來。

好的電影當然要介紹，但亦都需要看看市場用什麼角度去看它。對筆者而言，Mysterious Skin 並不是同志電影，但如果被市場及發行商把其同志題材放大，更加是觸犯了同志社群最容易被人混而一談的東西－－同性戀＝兒童性侵犯。在此電影裡Neil和Brain的性取向和他們的成長經歴無關，如果這部電影被包裝成同志電影，就會給那些一竹篙打一船人所謂的「衛道之仕」更加多的理據去使同志們無地容身。

DVD Review,
Posted on Dim Sum Magazine