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Reviews
Monsoon (2019)
Almost, but not quite.
I like the premise of identity and change, but I was left asking 'and so what' after watching this film. Most of the questions raised seem skin deep and with no real attempt at conclusion, whether it's Kits apparent challenge as to where he belongs, whether his parents wanted to return to Vietnam after death, the extended family dynamic, the knock-on effects of the Vietnam war for both Vietnamese or Americans, or the questions of generational change and debt to your parents for Linh. All of these are interesting but the film frustrated in its approach to them I feel.
Definitely some positives to take and still worth a watch but falls short.
Shirkers (2018)
Talented Videographer with no story to tell
Unfortunately whilst this film was well crafted and it is nice to see Singapore on screen, it was clearly the product of someone capable and desperate to put a film together but without a story of any interest to tell. This tale was hardly something that needed to be told to the world and is actually completely unremarkable. However in the 'documentary' these grown adults are talking about it (the lost film Shirker and the story behind it) as if it is a thing of legend.
The main character, playing herself Sandi Tan, comes across as extremely unlikable and arrogant / deluded and the rest of the cast don't come across much better possibly with the exception of Jasmine who seems tired but resigned to her old friend's behaviour. The only aspect of the story that was at all compelling was that of Georges, the strange and mysterious man befriending children with unclear intentions, however this storyline also ultimately disappointed.
Difficult to reconcile the film I watched with the 'award winning' film described.