So, here I am, a weeks since I have returned from Copenhagen, and 5 days into a TV movie shoot.
It's been a month since the world premiere of RIVER OF EXPLODING DURIANS at the Tokyo International Film Festival. And three weeks since the third (last) screening of the film at the festival.
I have written about the first screening and the second screening of the film, so I figured I'll wrap things up. I'm writing all these mostly to help myself remember.
On the 29th of October, RIVER OF EXPLODING DURIANS was screened at night. Lead actor Koe Shern and I decided to wait outside the screening hall and meet/greet the audiences after the film ended (which was almost around midnight)
I was particularly happy to see Maiko's sister, Kanako, and mother coming all the way to Tokyo to attend the screening.
I have spent two New Year's Eves at Maiko's house (in 2009 and 2010), and Maiko's mom made some of the greatest Sukiyaki I have ever tasted.
In fact, Kanako and her mother's presence at my screening reminded me of the very first time we met, five years ago. That time, my short film KINGYO was screened at the Wald 9 cinema of Shinjuku, for this Fuyajo Film Festival.
This feeling of deja vu, and appearances of people who played major roles in my past, had became quite a recurring occurrence in my Tokyo Film Festival screenings. Perhaps that is why they had all been so emotional to me.
Professor John Junkerman (who was my professor in Waseda University and was Oscar-nominated for his documentary HELLFIRE), photographer/director Amiy Mori and screenwriter of Digimon, Sailor Moon and numerous other iconic animes Genki Yoshimura, were also there.
Post by Edmund Yeo.
Yoshimura-san wrote about the film on her blog, which I translated into English on the above Facebook post. My friend QianYi also did a Chinese translation too.
"平和な世の中を望む気持ちとか、困っている誰かの一助になりたいという気持ちは、純粋で、美しい。
けれどそれを実現させようと思うとき、現実や周囲との軋轢で苦しむことになる。
世界を思う気持ちと、一人の人を思う気持ちは、どうして同時に実現出来ないんだろう。
何故世界を変えなければならなくなるのか。
世界を変えようとしたときに、何故、孤立しなければならなくなるのか。
いろいろ考えさせられる映画。
監督は早稲田大学・安藤紘平先生の元で勉強したマレーシアのエドモンド30歳。
主演の一人シャーン・コーの演技は余りにも自然で見事。
まるで自分がマレーシアの高校生になってこの映画の中の世界に存在し、彼らと同じ時間を過ごしているかのような錯覚に陥るほど。
QianYi Liu's Chinese translation:
"渴望和平世界的愿望和想要帮助困难之中的某个人的情感都是美丽的，纯粹的。
但是一旦要实现它并为之奋斗时，总会陷入现实的逆境和周围阻碍导致的挣扎之中。
思考世界和思念一个人，这两种情感，为什么不能同时实现呢？
为什么我们终究会拥有改变这个世界的冲动呢？
而改变这个世界的时候，为什么我们总会陷入孤立的状态之中呢？
这是一部令我陷入深思的电影。
导演是在早稻田大学安藤綋平实验室学习电影的杨毅恒、
现在三十岁。
主演之一高圣的演技实在是自然而精彩。
看这部电影时，就像自己成为了马来西亚的高中生存在于这部电影之中，融合于这部电影的世界，与他们共同度过同一个时空。"
Loose English translation:
"The wish for world peace is always pure and beautiful, but when one try to attain it through actions, everything becomes complicated and painful.
Why is there always conflict when we try to change the world and the thoughts of other people?
Why does one always end up being alienated when attempting to change the world?
This is a film which has given me much to think about it.
The 30-year-old director Edmund Yeo is a Waseda University graduate and former student of Professor Kohei Ando.
The lead actor Koe Shern's naturalistic acting ability is really good.
As I was watching the film, I was entirely immersed in its world, as if I myself had become a Malaysian high school student, living my life with the characters."
Directors Isao Yukisada and Isshin Inudo were at the screening as well. Isao Yukisada, of course, directed CRYING FOR LOVE, IN THE CENTER OF THE WORLD, SPRING SNOW, GO and numerous other films that were mentioned on this blog throughout the 10 years(!!!) of its existence. Isshin Inudo directed the wonderful film adaptation of the iconic manga TOUCH, and also ZERO NO SHOTEN.
Post by Edmund Yeo.
While Yukisada-san called my debut film "unforgettable", which was a great honour. Inudo-sensei left the following comment on the above Facebook post a few days after the festival. Saying this: "River of Exploding Durians. It was a wonderful work. But, the festival was over. You must travel to the future. I am looking forward to your next work."
The film merely had its world premiere in one festival, and I was indeed already thinking of doing my next film. But at this day and age, under such circumstances, such environment, will I be able to make my next film that easily?
These are things that I still ponder.
And then, some photos taken during the last day of the festival:
Post by Chik Soon Come.
Post by Woo Ming Jin.
Post by Koe Shern 高圣.
Post by Koe Shern 高圣.
Post by Koe Shern 高圣.
Post by Koe Shern 高圣.
Post by Edmund Yeo.
Post by Koe Shern 高圣.
Post by Derrick Lee.
In truth, RIVER OF EXPLODING DURIANS' screening at the Tokyo Film Fest had gotten quite a lot of media coverage throughout the week. It was humbling.
Post by Edmund Yeo.
Post by Edmund Yeo.
And so, I took a photo with the Tokyo Film Fest crew before I left. They had made this a very unforgettable experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you.
Post by Edmund Yeo.
