As promised here is the first of 3 new episodes to make up for my getting busy/ coming down with pneumonia.
It was a slight challenge getting a hold of Director Lixin Fan. After all, his prestigious award-winning documentary film LAST TRAIN HOME had him being invited to festivals left, right and center. Not bad for a Canadian film and a debut feature for this young director from China.
The podcast is of course the edited, film focused version, but I’ll make the entire Skype interview (a full 30+ mins.) available should people be interested. We went more into depth about the Zhang family as well as freedom of expression and censorship while working within China. And then we also talked about food and his thoughts upon landing in Toronto (Scarborough) when he first came.
This episode clocks in about 1:15 hr, so get ready to enjoy all the new music (and some old). Your requests, comments and questions answered. Plus a sneak preview of what to expect at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival starting tomorrow! Check out my reviews at 8Asians.com!
Special thanks to Marcus who yelled at me to put up another podcast. Thanks man!
If you like what you hear, please show your support by supporting the artists and buy their CDs and DVDs using the links provided on this site.
For any requests, comments, suggests, dedications or feedback, feel free to leave a comment at Popcast88.com or send an email to christine [at] popcast88.com.
If you like what you hear, please show your support by supporting the artists and buy their CDs and DVDs using the links provided on this site.
For any requests, comments, suggests, dedications or feedback, feel free to leave a comment at Popcast88.com or send an email to christine [at] popcast88.com.
The HOT DOCS International Documentary Film Festival is currently in full swing in Toronto from now till May 10th. I’ve always loved watching documentaries because of the diversity of perspective and opinions on topic ranging from trivial to the provocative and controversial. This year, they shine a spotlight on documentaries made from South Korean documentary filmmakers in a programme called Made In South Korea, so check those out if you get a chance.
This is the last of 3 part. Click here for Part 1 and Part 2.
THE SOUNDS OF INSECTS: RECORD OF A MUMMY
Dir: Peter Liechti – Germany
A man is found starved to death along with his detailed journal of his last days leading up to it in THE SOUND OF INSECTS: RECORD OF A MUMMY. It’s a really dark and chilling look into the motivation of self-starvation. While it was interesting, because of the nature-only imagery it was tedious to sit through excerpts of the daily account of the man’s journal.
THE RED CHAPEL – Dir: Mads Brugger – Denmark
In a bold attempt to expose the North Korea in its perpetuating lies, Mads Burgger, a Danish journalist under the guise of a manager of a Danish-Korean comedy duo in THE RED CHAPEL. What’s more interesting is one of the actors of the Danish-Korean comedy duo, Jacob Hossell is a spastic and is clearly physically handicapped – whom, out of his control becomes a sort of spectacle propaganda for North Korea.
LAUGHOLOGY – Dir: Albert Nerenberg – Canada
In the seriousness of world crisis, director Albert Nerenberg attempts to find his laugh in LAUGHOLOGY. It’s an amusing look into a human reaction that comes very naturally, and it’s interesting to note that no one really has attempted to breakdown laughter’s motivation or its reason. There are laugh clubs, laugh gurus and laugh doctors around the world helping people rediscover laughter in their lives. The documentary is a hoot to watch.
THE KOREAN WEDDING CHEST – Dir: Ulrike Ottinger – Germany
A look into the rituals and traditions of old and new wedding ceremonies in South Korea in KOREAN WEDDING CHEST. The chest itself contains many symbolic elements the groom prepares to present to the family of the bride. The fly-on-the-wall structure works very well to capture the grandeur of both traditional and modern ceremonies while not over explaining its meaning in the gesture.
CHILDREN OF GOD – Dir: Yi Seung-Jun – Nepal, South Korea
The ritual of releasing the dead into heaven are business as usual for the impoverished children who live along the Bagmati River in Nepal in CHILDREN OF GOD. While family mourn the loss of their loved ones, the kids harvest the offerings of money, gold, clothing and jewels to the gods. Their seemingly amoral acts are countered by stories of whom they’re benefiting from. And somehow, Nepalese hiphop freestyle still seems to make its way to their free time.
And now a word about the Made In South Korea programme.
April 29, 2009 at 9:50 am · Filed under Movies/ Film
The HOT DOCS International Documentary Film Festival kicks off in Toronto this coming Thursday, April 30th and runs till May 10th. I’ve always loved watching documentaries because of the diversity of perspective and opinions on topic ranging from trivial to the provocative and controversial. This year, they shine a spotlight on documentaries made from South Korean documentary filmmakers in a programme called Made In South Korea, so check those out if you get a chance.
This is Part 2 of 3. Part 1 can be found here: Click
YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
– Dir. Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno – FRANCE, UK USA
Outrageous political pranksters, Andy and Mike want to fix the world – a noble yet seemingly impossible task in YES MEN FIX THE WORLD. It’s no surprise the world is built on the foundation of capitalism and greed that skirts from the corporate responsibility of human life. The documentary starts with the 20th anniversary of the world’s most disastrous chemical accident that cost the livelihoods of the people of Bhopal, India. In an elaborate scheme we follow their journey of holding corporate greed responsible for their actions. Funny, entertaining and insightfully filled with hope.
CAT LADIES – Dir. Christie Callan-Jones – Canada
Following the lives for 4 women from varying backgrounds, the documentary tries to breakdown the motivations for their penchant for acquiring cats in CAT LADIES. What started off in an off-beat quirky atmosphere slowly deteriorates as they expose the loss and loneliness mixed with the feeling of unconditional love from their feline companions. It’s also rather heartbreaking to see the ones those who want to break their cycle and those who are delusional in thinking they’re doing the right thing.
WATERLIFE – Dir: Kevin McMahon – Canada
Explore the beauty of the Great Lakes matched with industries toxicity in WATERLIFE. Stories around the shores and ports of the Great Lakes tell us that the water is disappearing. It’s quite unsettling to watch that many little comforts of home are at a cost to water consumption. Not exactly an eye-opener but a good look at what progress has cost nature over time.
SOULWAX: PART OF THE WEEKEND NEVER DIES –
Dir: Soam Farahmand - UK
Go on tour for a year with Soulwax as they play a show all over the world that last for about 8 hours starting the electro-punk band Soulwax and ending with its own afterparty spun by 2 Many Djs. For fans of electro dance punk, this is a MUST watch.
BASTION OF SIN – Dir: Thomas Lauterbach - Germany
A theatre director crafts a play from the personal stories of amateur actresses of Turkish descent in BASTION OF SIN. The story focuses on Aymel, a head scarf wearing Muslim woman who has agreed to take part in the director’s project. Her inner conflict with tradition and faith crash against her fellow actor’s free spiritedness. It’s interesting to watch Aymel as she has to come to terms … and ultimately respect and tolerate other’s views, perspectives and values.
And now a word about about their Late Night Screenings where you can catch the screening of SOULWAX.
April 28, 2009 at 7:34 pm · Filed under Movies/ Film
One of the hotly anticipated films of last year to release in South Korea was Frozen Flower starring Joo Jin Mo, Jo In Sung and Song Ji Hyo is now soon to making its way to DVD.
I had been interested in the film since I caught wind of it in the Kpop bubble where I had been living for the last 2 years or so. The story seemed interesting, the King (Joo Jin Mo) needs to bear an heir, but despite loving his beautiful Chinese Queen (Song Ji Hyo) can’t bear to touch her and chooses to spend his night with the head of guards (Jo In Sung) instead. To keep things secret, the King instructs his lover to sleep with the Queen thereby opening Pandora’s box to hetero sex and your classic love triangle.
Who am I kidding - this is the teaser that really caught people’s attention. (Safe, yet NSFW)
My fellow Kpop follower Nebs pinged me saying that she was going to be seeing the film, but was just going to fast forward to the good parts … namely the sex scenes. So I followed up: Read the rest of this entry »
The HOT DOCS International Documentary Film Festival kicks off in Toronto this coming Thursday, April 30th and runs till May 10th. I’ve always loved watching documentaries because of the diversity of perspective and opinions on topic ranging from trivial to the provocative and controversial. This year, they shine a spotlight on documentaries made from South Korean documentary filmmakers in a programme called Made In South Korea. So check those out if you get a chance.
This is Part 1 of 3 of the films you can catch and which I’ve previewed for you in 88 words of less.
ACTION BOYS – Dir. Jung Byung-Gil – South Korea
Graduates from the 8th year of Seoul Action School are profiled in ACTION BOYS, a documentary about stunt performers in South Korea’s movie industry. While quirky and fun, the doc is counter-balanced by the realities and ultimate limitations of what the body and spirit can handle. Many leave in the first few months of training, only a few stick around. It could’ve been a more interesting documentary but the lack of narrative structure felt like I was on a rig being pulled along for a ride.
GRANDMOTHER’S FLOWERS – Dr. Mun Jeong-hyun – South Korea
Told through the hardships endured by his maternal grandmother, Director Mun uncovers and touches upon many social issues faced by the complexities of Korean culture and ideology in GRANDMOTHER’S FLOWER. Tensions still remain from alliances forged during the Korean War and provide the basis of discrimination and Guilt By Association to those who stayed and those who fled during the war to Japan. It’s very tapestry-like storytelling where many different lives are interweaved by the choices they make and the ultimate consequences they suffer.
CLUBLAND – Dir. ERIC GERINGAS – Canada
Tensions between the residents and the clubbing industry’s movers and shakers set the mood in CLUBLAND. It’s an interesting look at the densely concentrated neighbourhood where politics has to strike the balance in pleasing their constituents while also maintaining the economic powers it has. In a ‘Tipping Point’ fashion, we understand better the stories coming from both sides and slowly realize the fault of tension doesn’t really fall onto the residents or club owners, but perhaps the party-goers who’ve had one too many drinks.
HAIR INDIA – Dir. Raffaele Brunetti, Marco Leopardi – Italy
An ambitious documentary in the structure of a feature, HAIR INDIA weaves the stories of the players in the lucrative business of Indian hair extensions. From rich to poor, religious hair donors to the fashionable consumer, the documentary is very tapestry like in an attempt to link all stories into one without having much of an objective. Despite its compelling characters and high production value, it was boring.
AFGHAN STAR – Dir. Havana Marking – UK
After years of Taliban rule that banned music and dancing, Tolo TV puts on their version of Idol singing competition called AFGHAN STAR. Its producers are interested in creating art, entertainment and culture, while the contestants vie for the title for Afghan Star and $5,000 – over 10 times the average annual salary. Continuing tribal conflicts plus ideals still rooted in religion create obstacles for the production staff and contestants. It was a fascinating look into a culture where art and music were once a vibrant part of the culture now cling to every bit of freedom they get to express themselves despite the consequence.
Hello, I hope everyone is enjoying their April. Been busy playing live shows over at SoompiRadio.com and screening documentaries at Hot Docs International Documentary Festival. Look out for my reviews in 88 words or less coming soon.
New music from M-Flo and After School plus a wee preview for films you can check out at Hot Docs this coming April 30th to May 10th in Toronto.
If you like what you hear, please show your support by supporting the artists and buy their CDs and DVDs using the links provided on this site.
For any requests, comments, suggests, dedications or feedback, feel free to leave a comment at Popcast88.com or send an email to christine [at] popcast88.com.
POP 88’s first episode of 2009 brings you new music from Tenjochiki, Stanley Huang and Teriyaki Boyz. Hear me review some of the films I saw over the holidays and fangirl over Korea’s newest girl group After School. Plus listen in on how you can enter to win tickets for yourself and guest to attend Kollaboration 9 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Also, join the community at Ning to enter for our monthly member giveaway.
This year end special of POP 88 brings you my personal favorites of 2008. I really tried to be diverse, and made every effort not to repeat songs I’ve already played this year. It is, however, rather bias as you will see/hear. It is MY personal favorites list, afterall.
Again, I find some trouble finding a decent new years resolution and resolve to use the word “actually” less in my podcast … although listening back to the show, sounds like I’ve already failed miserably even before the new year started. Someone run a bean counter on that - thanks.
For feedback, requests, suggestions or comments, leave a message over at Popcast88.com, send an email to christine [at] popcast88.com or join the community over at Ning.com. There you can request, share stories and join in on-going discussions of anything and everything about pop culture.
A podcast featuring interviews, news, games and the best in J-pop, K-pop and other Asian pop music today. Just like radio, only not! Hosted by Toronto’s Christine Miguel
