Nostalgia
In the year 2000, I turned 21.
It was also the beginning of a new millennium.
I had settled down in the army, and I took much pleasure in catching the midnight show at least once a week with V, who then worked the late shift and we could cab back home together since we lived pretty close, or I'd drive my mum's car at times.
We would head to the Shaw theatre at Beach Road, since it was close to her workplace, as well as our homes. Cruising down Nicoll Highway, we'd be home in less than 10 minutes.
That particular year had alot more significance than I realized. I believe that was the time when I finally realized movies were more than just a cheap Singaporean way to pass the time for me.
I've always been affected by the visual medium. Books required imagination, movies laid it out easily for you, which was perfect for someone as lazy as me.
I truly believed in the movies, and to an aspect I still do. At least when I'm in the theatre. And I emphasize theatre. Watching it on TV or my laptop does not possess the same magic.
But that year, that particular year of 2000, when I turned 21, when i was adjusting to a life in the army, the movies, or rather, 2 particular movies changed everything for me.
"Malena" the Italian film starring Monica Belluci had me bawling. I've always teared for a sad movie, but "Malena" tore open the flood gates. I think it helped that Shaw was always a pretty quiet theatre, so I wasn't too embarrassed since no one would have seen me leave the theatre with puffy eyes except for V of course. Until today I would still remember the injustice Malena suffered. The abuse, the taunting... That mob scene of the women villagers humiliating her still makes me uncomfortable.
"Dancer in the Dark" was worse. While I teared for Bjork's character, I was even more angered by her naivety and the farking behavior of that neighbor of hers. There was so much.... unfairness, so much unnecessary angst and pain that I couldn't even cry. It was, to put it simply, farking "pek chek". And Lars Von Trier's tight framing only intensified my "pek chekness"
While I know they were just movies, I do believe that my impression of the human race changed after that year. Sure I've always read about such stuff in the papers, but the movies.... they make it "real" for me. Ironic, since the movies are all about spinning a beautiful, or a very painful sad lie.
It was also the beginning of a new millennium.
I had settled down in the army, and I took much pleasure in catching the midnight show at least once a week with V, who then worked the late shift and we could cab back home together since we lived pretty close, or I'd drive my mum's car at times.
We would head to the Shaw theatre at Beach Road, since it was close to her workplace, as well as our homes. Cruising down Nicoll Highway, we'd be home in less than 10 minutes.
That particular year had alot more significance than I realized. I believe that was the time when I finally realized movies were more than just a cheap Singaporean way to pass the time for me.
I've always been affected by the visual medium. Books required imagination, movies laid it out easily for you, which was perfect for someone as lazy as me.
I truly believed in the movies, and to an aspect I still do. At least when I'm in the theatre. And I emphasize theatre. Watching it on TV or my laptop does not possess the same magic.
But that year, that particular year of 2000, when I turned 21, when i was adjusting to a life in the army, the movies, or rather, 2 particular movies changed everything for me.
"Malena" the Italian film starring Monica Belluci had me bawling. I've always teared for a sad movie, but "Malena" tore open the flood gates. I think it helped that Shaw was always a pretty quiet theatre, so I wasn't too embarrassed since no one would have seen me leave the theatre with puffy eyes except for V of course. Until today I would still remember the injustice Malena suffered. The abuse, the taunting... That mob scene of the women villagers humiliating her still makes me uncomfortable.
Click to view"Dancer in the Dark" was worse. While I teared for Bjork's character, I was even more angered by her naivety and the farking behavior of that neighbor of hers. There was so much.... unfairness, so much unnecessary angst and pain that I couldn't even cry. It was, to put it simply, farking "pek chek". And Lars Von Trier's tight framing only intensified my "pek chekness"
While I know they were just movies, I do believe that my impression of the human race changed after that year. Sure I've always read about such stuff in the papers, but the movies.... they make it "real" for me. Ironic, since the movies are all about spinning a beautiful, or a very painful sad lie.